A strong spirit of camaraderie between staff and students and a passion for agriculture are common themes in accounts from Ag Science alumni (aka “aggies”) across the past sixty years.
During this time, our research and teaching staff have trained hundreds of successful agricultural leaders and innovators who are addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges using science, technology and business skills.
Oliver Roberts graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture in 2015 and is the CEO of Pasture.io, an agtech startup company which he founded to empower farmers through automating critical elements of livestock grazing enterprises.
Reflecting on his time at the University of Tasmania, Roberts has fond memories from lab classes and field trips.
“Whether trudging through fields under the warm Tasmanian sun or huddled around a microscope in a bustling lab, those moments encapsulated the essence of the agricultural sciences,” Roberts said.
“The camaraderie that was fostered among us students during these trips was unparalleled. The field trips gave us the chance to apply the theories we learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios, making learning a tangible and shared adventure.”
Looking towards the future, Oliver believes the agricultural sector will face further disruptions from technology and the rise of synthesising plant and animal protein.
“Our main goal should be to adapt to and incorporate these technologies wisely. We must strive to use them as tools for sustainable farming and productivity, while maintaining a vigilant stance to avoid pitfalls. The future of agriculture rests in our ability to be flexible and innovative, without losing sight of our ethical and environmental responsibilities,” he said.
Want to know more about research, industry development and education initiatives for the agriculture and food sectors? Connect with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.
Written by Jemima Hamer for Alumni Magazine Issue 54, 2023.
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