Dr Tony Rathjen, wheat breeder with the University of Adelaide, is the 2009 recipient of the BCG Harm van Rees Award for significant contribution to agriculture in the Wimmera Mallee region.
“Dr Rathjen’s development of the varieties, Frame and Yitpi, has had an enormous impact on our industry and the Wimmera Mallee, paving the way for new farming systems and technology adoption to be successful over the last decade. He has worked on and raised awareness of boron toxicity, CCN resistance and pratylenchus. He has led a breeding program that has raised the bar for bread wheat and durum,” said Alexandra Gartmann, BCG CEO.
“Tony has been instrumental in laying the foundation for a successful farming system.”
High yielding, disease resistant bread wheats are the foundation of sustainable farming in the Mallee, and to a lesser extent the Wimmera. His work has enabled changes in farming systems to be adopted leading to more profitable results for growers.
BCG Chairman, Ian McClelland, spoke highly of Dr Rathjen’s achievements. “His contribution to our region is enormous. Tony has not isolated himself in an ivory tower. He has close links with the farming community, seeking feedback from the direct users of his innovations. He has always been ready to engage in robust debate for the benefit of agriculture. He was arguably the first person to find the wheat streak mosaic virus in the country and certainly the first to appreciate the importance of the pratylenchus nematode in southern Australia.”
Not only has Dr Rathjen been a high impact breeder and communicator, he has been influential in educating some of the industry’s best known scientists and leaders such as David Moody, whose last commercial release variety, Hindmarsh, is proving extremely successful.
The annual award was established by BCG in 2007 to recognise a farmer, researcher, agronomist or industry individual, with innovation and commitment and who has significantly changed agriculture in the Wimmera Mallee region.
The award was named after agronomist Harm van Rees whose dedication to the agricultural systems and farming businesses of the region contributed remarkable advances in agricultural practices.
Tony received the award at the annual BCG Members Field Day on 23 October 2009.
