Graduate to head new agricultural research collaboration

28/07/2023 | 2 mins

The WA Agricultural Research Collaboration today announced the appointment of its inaugural Director Kelly Pearce.

Dr Pearce, who completed her Agricultural Science degree at The University of Western Australia, brings a wealth of farming, academic, industry and board experience to the role.

A sheep and grain farmer from Yealering in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, Dr Pearce is well connected nationally across the agricultural industry with more than 20 years of experience as a farmer, researcher and director.

The initiative was launched last July to bring a ‘Team WA’ approach to research and development and a unified vision to build research quality, capacity, careers and collaborations for future generations.

It brings together the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), CSIRO, Grower Group Alliance, UWA, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and Murdoch University.

Kelly PearceImage: Dr Kelly Pearce, Director of the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration.

DPIRD representative on the Collaboration Steering Committee Cec McConnell said Dr Pearce’s appointment was a major step.

“The Collaboration Steering Committee agreed the Director would need to be a qualified researcher with a broad skill set and leadership experience,” Ms McConnell said.

“Dr Pearce will bring a cross-section of experience, knowledge and skills to the role for the benefit of agricultural research, development and extension in WA.”

Her career experience includes Facey Group Chief Executive Officer, Grower Group Alliance Member Director, Western Australian Meat Industry Authority Board member, Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee member and Biosecurity Council of Western Australia Advisory Committee member.

Dr Pearce is also a Nuffield Scholar, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Research Fellow with the Australian Farm Institute.

In her new role, Dr Pearce said she hoped to create visionary research partnerships that attracted and delivered high quality agricultural science and innovation on an international scale.

“WA Agricultural Research Collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to align the strong skills and knowledge within WA universities with those at industry and grassroots level, to co-design and deliver programs that accelerate agriculture in this State,” Dr Pearce said.

“Throughout my career I have actively sought work across various research and development areas, particularly in the mixed farming sector from on-farm to plate.”

WA Agricultural Research Collaboration is working with industry to build applied research programs focused on emerging issues across six themes: Northern Agriculture, Grains Transformation, Climate Resilience, Agricultural Technologies, Aboriginal Participation and Capacity Building and Extension.

The first ground-breaking project – Cropping Enabled Cattle – began under the Northern Agriculture program in May.

The three-year project will explore the potential for Ord irrigated agriculture to support cattle-feeding systems in the State’s north.


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