New director appointed for Rangelands Australia

New director appointed for Rangelands Australia

An agreement between the University of Queensland and Meat and Livestock Australia has led to the establishment of a rangelands centre based at UQ Gatton.

Known as Rangelands Australia, the centre will deliver high quality training and education to rangeland communities.

A professor of rangelands management has been appointed within UQ's Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science (NRAVS) to lead the centre.

Professor John Taylor has an outstanding international reputation in the field of rangeland management. Previously Deputy Chief of Tropical Agriculture with the CSIRO, he graduated from UQ Gatton in 1972 and later gained a PhD from the University of New England.

Don Blessing, chair of Rangelands Australia, said Professor Taylor would lead a national network in rangeland management education and training, aimed squarely at user needs.

"The board is looking forward to working with Professor Taylor in contributing to the future prosperity of people in the rangelands. We see a bright future for the rangelands based on better caring for the country, its communities and its enterprises," Mr Blessing said.

He said one of Professor Taylor's key responsibilities would be to build the capabilities of people who lived and worked in the rangelands.

"We will be developing high quality courses and ensuring they are delivered across state borders and agencies," he said.

NRAVS Executive Dean Professor Roger Swift said there would be an emphasis on sustaining the natural resource base while optimising the profitability of rangelands enterprises and improving the well-being of rangeland communities.

Professor Taylor's previous positions include appointments as teaching fellow at the University of New England and chief of CSIRO's Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures.

He took up his position at UQ Gatton in late April.

For more information, contact Anthony Smith, NRAVS Marketing Officer (telephone 07 5460 1229, email asmith@uqg.uq.edu.au).