Department of Agriculture and Food senior development officer Jeremy Lemon has been honoured for his contribution to the grains industry with the 2013 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) western region Seed of Light award.
The award was presented to Mr Lemon by GRDC western regional panel chairman Peter Roberts at Perth’s Agribusiness Crop Updates this week.
Department director general Rob Delane said the award provided recognition of Mr Lemon’s important role over many years towards communicating the outcomes of grains research to growers and industry.
Mr Lemon started his career in WA as a general adviser with the department in Narrogin in 1977.
He moved to Esperance in 1985, where he built his skills in soils, pastures and crops, and became a mainstay of the department’s general adviser extension program.
“Jeremy has been based in Albany since 2008 where he continues to work with growers delivering invaluable farming systems information,” Mr Delane said.
“His knowledge extends across cropping, pastures, pests, livestock, soils and climate, and he has led work in the areas of soil water models, sub soil constraints and nitrogen timing for profit.
“He is well respected by his peers and over the years has provided an important mentoring role to young agronomists. I congratulate him on this outstanding achievement.”
Mr Lemon was awarded the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST) award of excellence in 2001.
Salmon Gums farmer Rory Graham worked with Mr Lemon for more than 20 years through the local research station advisory committee and the North Mallee Farm Improvement Group.
Mr Lemon’s regular and constructive contact with farmers imparting all his knowledge and information out in the field was highly valued, Mr Graham said. Examples of this work included the ‘enemy below’ project focused on sub soil constraints and nitrogen application timing.
“Another highlight was the Mallee information exchange project, coordinating links between farmers of similar environs across the country sharing research and information and involving group contact trips to and from the eastern states,” Mr Graham said. “He was a valued mentor and his vast knowledge of everything, from horticulture through to dryland farming, was exemplary.”
Media contacts: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 8 9368 3937