Meredith Mitchell Explained

Dr Meredith Leigh Mitchell an Australian agronomist. She is a senior research scientist with the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries.

Career

Mitchell has worked for the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and been based at Rutherglen for the last 25 years. She is a pasture agronomist and her research has focused on the selection of native grass cultivars for agricultural systems and the management of existing native pastures. Mitchell was part of the successful LIGULE[1] [2] [3] native grass selection project, from which six native grass cultivars have been released.

Mitchell has participated in a number of multi-disciplinary teams, collaborating with agricultural scientists from different state departments and universities throughout Australia. This research has involved national germplasm by environment trials on a range of both native (NLIGN)[4] [5] [6] and introduced species.[7] [8] Mitchell was part of the CRC for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity and part of the Future Farm Industries CRC.

Mitchell has published an identification book on native grasses,[9] which is currently in its third edition, and has co-authored two book chapters on native pastures.[10] [11]

Mitchell received her PhD in 2013 from Charles Sturt University. The research focused on Microlaena (Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides) a native perennial grass that is widespread in native pastures of the temperate high rainfall zone (> 550 mm AAR) of south-eastern Australia.[12] [13] [14] [15] The thesis addressed the underlying ecology of the species and examines those attributes which allow it to be sustained and increased in grazed native pastures. A greater understanding of species ecology will allow better optimisation of its contribution to the provision of feed and ground cover. To undertake this postgraduate training, Mitchell was supported by a scholarship from Charles Sturt University, a top up scholarship from FFI CRC and a DPI postgraduate award. Mitchell also received a Fellowship from AW Howard Memorial Trust.

Mitchell was a Proof site leader on the EverGraze project.[16] [17] EverGraze is seeking to develop new farming systems for the high rainfall zone (>550 mm) based on deep rooted perennial pastures that significantly increase wool and livestock producers' profits, while stabilising or enhancing natural resource management (NRM) outcomes. This research has focused on the effects of grazing management on the production, botanical composition and nutritive characteristics of perennial native pastures using a breeding merino ewes.

References

  1. Johnston WH, Clifton CA, Cole IA, Koen TB, Mitchell ML, Waterhouse DB. Low input grasses useful in limiting environments (LIGULE). Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 1999;50(1):29–54.
  2. Johnston WH, Mitchell ML, Koen TB, Mulham WE, Waterhouse DB. LIGULE: An evaluation of indigenous perennial grasses for dryland salinity management in south-eastern Australia. 1. A base germplasm collection. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 2001;52(3):343-50.
  3. Mitchell ML, Koen TB, Johnston WH, Waterhouse DB. LIGULE: An evaluation of indigenous perennial grasses for dryland salinity management in south-eastern Australia. 2. Field performance and the selection of promising ecotypes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 2001;52(3):351-65.
  4. Garden DL, Waters CM, Smith AB, Norton MR, Auricht GC, Kobelt E. Performance of native and introduced grasses for low-input pastures. 2. Herbage production. The Rangeland Journal. 2005;27(1):41–53.
  5. Norton MR, Mitchell ML, Kobelt E, Hall E. Evaluation of native and introduced grasses for low-input pastures in temperate Australia: experimental approach, site and genotype descriptions. The Rangeland Journal 2005;27(1):11–22.
  6. Sanford P, Whalley RDB, Garden DL, Norton MR, Waters CM, Smith AB, et al. Identification of superior native and introduced grasses for low-input pastures in temperate Australia. Rangeland Journal. 2005;27(1):55–71.
  7. Nie ZN, Miller S, Moore GA, Hackney BF, Boschma SP, Reed KFM, et al. Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 2. Persistence, root characteristics and summer activity. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 2008;48(4):424-35.
  8. Reed KFM, Nie ZN, Miller S, Hackney BF, Boschma SP, Mitchell ML, et al. Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 1. Establishment and herbage production. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 2008;48(4):409-23.
  9. Mitchell M. Native Grasses: an identification handbook for Temperate Australia. 3rd edition ed. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Publishing; 2002.
  10. Bennett R, Mitchell M. Native perennial pastures. In: Moore G, Sanford P, Wily T, editors. Perennial pastures for Western Australia. South Perth: Department of Agriculture and Food; 2006. p. 178-90.
  11. Nie Z, Mitchell M. Managing and using native grasses. In: Nie Z, Saul G, editors. Greener Pastures for South West Victoria. Hamilton: Victorian Department of Primary Industries; 2006. p. 99-106.
  12. Mitchell M. Ecology of Microlaena stipoides in grazing systems. [PhD]. Wagga Wagga, NSW: Charles Sturt University; 2013.
  13. Mitchell M, Virgona J, Jacobs J, Kemp D. Seed rain of Microlaena stipoides. In: Yunusa I, editor. Proceedings of 16th Australian Agronomy Conference 2012: "Capturing Opportunities and Overcoming Obstacles in Australian Agronomy"; 14–18 October 2012; Armidale, NSW.: Australian Society of Agronomy; 2012.
  14. Mitchell M, Virgona J, Jacobs J, Kemp D. Flowering phenology of Microlaena stipoides in north-east Victoria. Ecology: Fundamental Science of the Biosphere; Melbourne, Victoria. Melbourne: Ecological Society of Australia; 2012. p. 193.
  15. Mitchell M, Virgona J, Jacobs J, Kemp D. Population biology of Microlaena stipoides in a south-eastern Australian pasture. Crop and Pasture Science. 2014:in press.
  16. Avery A, Saul G, Behrendt R, Friend M, Mitchell M, Virgona J, et al. EverGraze – Right plant, right place, right purpose. Proceedings of the 50th Annual Conference of the Grasslands Society of Southern Australia: Take up the Challenge; Geelong, Victoria. Echuca, Victoria: Grasslands Society of Southern Australia Inc.; 2009.
  17. Mitchell M. EverGraze – Chiltern Grazing Experiment. 2013 [26 May 2014]; Available from: http://www.evergraze.com.au/library-content/chiltern-grazing-experiment/.

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