Contact details:
CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA
Biography
Dr John Kirkegaard is a farming systems agronomist who applies his expertise in agricultural research to develop practical solutions to Australia’s farming challenge – to produce more crop with less inputs while protecting the environment. For example, John is currently investigating ways to improve the productivity of no-till farming systems, increase the profitability of rotation crops such as canola, develop dual-purpose crops that can be used for grazing and grain production, and improve the use of deep-stored water by crops.
John joined CSIRO as an agronomist in 1990 to improve the productivity and sustainability of dry-land mixed farming systems in southeast Australia. During his career John and his research teams have combined detailed studies of soil-plant interactions, with broader considerations at the farming system level to develop innovative new approaches to improve farm productivity.
Career highlights include; Election as Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, May 2016; winning the 2014 Eureka prize for Sustainable Agriculture as part of the National Water-Use Efficiency Team, his time as a Visiting Professor at the University of Copenhagen in 2012 investigating the genetic variability of deep-rooting in wheat, and winning the grains industry “Seed of Light Award” for effective research communication to farmers.
Other Interests
Enjoying adventurous holidays with my wife and 3 daughters.
Travelling, dinner with friends, surfing, bushwalking.
Fields of Research
Current Roles
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Chief Research Scientist
Farming Systems Research
Academic Qualifications
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1983
Bachelor Agricultural Science (Hons 1)
University of Queensland -
1990
PhD (Agriculture)
University of Queensland
Professional Experiences
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2016
Chief Research Scientist
CSIRO Agriculture -
2012
Visiting Professor
University of Copenhagen -
1997
Visiting Scientist
John Innes Centre, UK -
1990
Research Scientist
CSIRO Plant Industry -
1989
Research Officer
University of Queensland
Achievements and Awards
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2016
Elected Fellow
Australian Academy of Science -
2014
Eureka Prize for Sustainable Agriculture
Australian Museum -
2013
CSIRO Medal for Impact from Science
CSIRO -
2012
Villum Visiting Professorship
University of Copenhagen -
2009
Seed of Light
Grains Research and Development Corporation -
2008
Newton-Turner Award
CSIRO
ORCID 0000-0001-5982-9508