“SURPRISED, but excited” was how Ayr-based cropping, horticulture and cattle producer Ross Pirrone described his state-of-mind after being announced as a 2016 Nuffield Scholar.
The prestigious scholarship will give Ross the opportunity to explore his research into advanced and cost-effective horticultural growing systems, with an emphasis on tropical and sub-tropical protected cropping technology and how it can be applied in the North.
Scholars will undertake a 16-week program of travel over the year with the initial group trip Ross is taking part in departing for Israel; U.S.A; Japan; Indonesia; Singapore and The Netherlands in June/July.
“The group trip involves us learning about the various farming methods and technology these countries use on a daily basis in their grazing, cropping, dairy and horticultural operations,” Ross said.
“I’ll then undertake my individual two month research trip to regions in the United States; Spain and Mexico where I’ll look at how operations have successfully implemented protected cropping systems using the most advanced, cost-efficient technologies available,” he said.
“The areas I’ll be visiting have similar climatic conditions and problems to the North which will form a strong basis of comparison for my research.
“With extreme market forces putting pressure on our profit margins and erratic weather putting us under environmental stress, I can see the potential of using flexible and resilient greenhouses in the North.”
Ross said if the technology could be implemented in the North it would allow growers to take advantage of high commodity prices in the wake of weather events affecting field-grown crops and pave the way for year-round consistent supply of high quality produce.
He said as the system is like an entirely new way of farming which can run into the millions of dollars to set-up, the return on investment needs to be worthwhile.
“I’d like to thank Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA); The Viertel Charitable Foundation and Nuffield Australia; without their investment and encouragement this opportunity wouldn't be possible."