L-R: MSF Executive Officer Tanja Morgan, David Roget Award winner Robin Schaefer, Research Scientist CSIRO & MSF Specialist Director, Therese McBeath.
Mallee Sustainable Farming is proud to announce Loxton, South Australia, farmer Robin Schaefer the 2022 winner of the David Roget Award for Excellence.
Robin was presented with the prestigious award at the recent MSF Mallee Research Update held at the Karoonda Football Clubrooms, by CSIRO Research Scientist and MSF Specialist Director, Dr Therese McBeath.
Robin has had a long history with MSF, as one of the founding Directors and his nomination was received from a NSW member demonstrating the far reaching impact of his contributions and achievements.
“Robin has always been considered an innovative farmer and has been instrumental with his enthusiasm and participation in the grains industry having given many presentations and featured in many case studies and feature articles, hosted groups to his properties, staged countless field trials and encouraged youth in agriculture.
Bulla Burra has been a leader in incorporating new crops, rotations and technology into their system, including pulses, deep ripping and advanced precision ag technology. Precision Agriculture is an integral part of the business”, said Dr McBeath as part of her presentation.
Upon receiving his award Robin spoke fondly of the early days of MSF and as a founding member of the Board and acknowledged the respect and friendship he had with David Roget.
“Robin and David, amongst many others, worked together to establish MSF for all Mallee farmers which has left an enduring legacy of improved farming systems 25 years on”, said Tanja Morgan, Executive Officer of Mallee Sustainable Farming.
The David Roget Award for Excellence was created by Mallee Sustainable Farming in 2014 in memory of the late David Roget who worked with the CSIRO for over 30 years as a Sustainable Ecosystems Researcher. As far back as 1997 David Roget and a number of significant Mallee growers developed an initiative to encourage the uptake of no-till farming and continuous cropping in the Mallee – to improve grain production and simultaneously reduce the loss of topsoil. Thus, Mallee Sustainable Farming was formed.
The award recognises an individual, business or group who has made a significant contribution to dryland farming production systems in the Mallee Sustainable Farming region.
The calibre of nominations received each year is high and MSF will continue to recognise outstanding individuals, groups and businesses through this award into the future. The next call for the 2023 award will open at the end of 2022.
For more information please contact MSF Communications & Engagement Manager Tanja Morgan, 0429 395 918 or tanja.morgan@msfp.org.au
-ends-