Region

Waikato

Job

Cameron works in the Farm Systems Group at DairyNZ, performing a range of tasks. This group tests scientific ideas and findings for farmers to use. He works with scientists, consultants, and dairy farmers in a range of activities. Cameron’s work includes recommending actions for research trials, and presenting research findings to farmers at field days.

Part of Cameron’s work involves securing funding for research projects. To do this he reviews existing research and proposes trials that could be done in the future. Cameron has presented his research findings at conferences both within New Zealand and overseas.

Cameron also works with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). He is helping them to develop a tool that can measure how much grass is in a paddock using data collected from satellites. Farmers could use this information to decide where to put their cows next, how much of the paddock they should give them, or to make decisions for the next farming season.

Cameron enjoys working in the dairy faming industry because it encompasses many disciplines and is not just focused on one topic. He feels that his research serves a useful purpose as it can help farmers to make decisions about the best farming systems to use.

Career Pathway

Cameron did a bachelor of science in agricultural science at Sydney University. He chose this degree because he liked farming and thought it would gave him plenty of job opportunities. When asked why he didn’t go into farming itself, Cameron says that he liked the idea, but really enjoys knowing what makes the animals and plants ‘tick’ - the science behind farming.

In 1999, Cameron did his honours in agronomy, majoring in plants. For his honours project he investigated whether Australian farmers could increase the amount of native grasses growning on their farms by adding phosphorous to the soil.

After completing his honours, Cameron went to Canada for a year’s working to take a break from studying and experience a different country. Towards the end of this break he decided to do a PhD.

His PhD research identified cows that had lost too much weight in early lactation, which is important because it can have effect the cows’ reproductive performance and health. This work was designed to help farmers select cows that are better suited to their farms. As part of his PhD, Cameron went to a conference in Ireland, where he met a senior scientist from DairyNZ who told him about a job opportunity in New Zealand. He applied for the job and got it.

He is looking forward to developing his own projects and seeing the benefits his science gives to farmers.

Interests

Playing soccer; renovating his house; hanging out with his dog – a Great Dane called Ben; going out for dinner with his wife; and catching up with friends.