Monday 4 July 2022: Food Agility CRC’s chief scientist and former University of New England Distinguished Professor, David Lamb, has become the first Australian recognised with the 'Pierre C. Robert Precision Agriculture Award' by the International Society of Precision Agriculture (ISPA).
The award, announced at ISPA’s 15th International Conference of Precision Agriculture in Minnesota, USA, honours individuals who have made significant contributions to precision agriculture science and technology.
In a career in precision agriculture spanning more than 30 years Prof. Lamb has championed the concept of smart farming. He led the launch of Australia’s first SMART Farm at the University of New England in Armidale and, more recently, helped establish the Global Digital Farm at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
“It is a privilege to have been nominated by my international peers, and I want to recognise and acknowledge the important role played by many Australian scientists over the past 30 years,” said Prof. Lamb.
“Australia is one of the most challenging places to grow food. Our farming environment provides a great opportunity to test and validate agtech aimed at improving water and fertiliser use efficiency, sustainability, productivity, and workflow.
“Before we all started on this journey in the 1990’s, precision agriculture as a discipline didn’t even exist. Meeting the challenges of food production today and into the future requires the marriage of STEM and agriculture and that is what precision agriculture is about,” he added.
Research Director at PlantTech Research Institute in New Zealand, Professor Ian Yule, paid tribute to Prof. Lamb’s contribution to precision agriculture.
“This award is recognition from the international community of his enduring enthusiasm to be at the forefront of this industry, to always put his hand up to help, to support and mentor students and staff, as well as to give scientific and practical leadership,” said Prof. Yule.
CQUniversity Australia’s Professor Mark Trotter has also congratulated Prof. Lamb. “David has been at the forefront of precision agriculture research in numerous fields. He gave me my first start in the field of PA, as he has done for many young researchers, and this award recognises his significant contribution globally,” said Prof. Trotter.
ENDS
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Download the full media release here.
Contact Christopher Komorek, Food Agility CRC digital content officer, to organise an interview with Professor Lamb.
