Rice

Rice RD&E Panel

D/Prof Chris Blanchard (Chair)

Professor Chris Blanchard is a nationally recognised expert in grain science with over 20 years’ experience in rice research. Raised on a farm in regional NSW, he combines scientific expertise with a practical understanding of agriculture. He currently serves as Professor of Food Science at Charles Sturt University.

He has led major projects funded by Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Australian Research Council, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and previously held leadership roles on the GRDC Board and Southern Panel.

He is committed to evidence-based decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and the delivery high-impact research outcomes to advance the Australian rice industry.

Harriet Brickhill

Harriet is a skilled extension professional with over seven years of experience across the rice, cotton, and horticulture industries. With a background in agronomy and a passion for sustainable farming, she has focused her career assisting farmers adopt practical, grower-focused solutions. After graduating with Honours in Agricultural Science from Charles Sturt University,

Harriet began her career as an agronomist before transitioning into extension roles with Rice Extension and Cotton Australia. In her current role as Senior Extension Officer at North Coast Local Land Services, she leads the Clean Coastal Catchments Project, which focuses on improving irrigation efficiency and enhancing nutrient management.

Darrell Fiddler

Darrell is the Operations Manager of the De Bortoli family’s broadacre farming operation in Bilbul NSW. When Darrell started with the De Bortoli family company over 15 years ago, they had 65 hectares of broadacre farming land, since then it has grown into a 2500-hectare mixed irrigation cropping operation.

Darrell is passionate about innovative and sustainable rice production. He was awarded the SunRice Grower of the Year Award in 2021 and the Lamb Weston Stewardship & Community Award at the Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards. He currently serves as the President of the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Mirrool Branch.

Dr Dini Ganesalingam

Dini Ganesalingam is a seasoned research leader and plant breeder with over a decade of experience in agricultural R&D, biometrics, and innovation strategy. Currently serving as Research & Business Development Manager at InterGrain, she leads multidisciplinary teams and national research portfolios across barley, wheat, and oats. Her expertise spans plant breeding, statistical genetics, and digital agriculture, with a strong track record in securing competitive funding and translating research into commercial outcomes.

Dini has held key roles in national breeding programs, successfully tendered for nationally competitive research grants, and actively serves on advisory panels including the AgriFutures Rice Technical Assessment Network and Emerging Industries Panel. She holds a PhD in Plant Breeding and Statistics and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Troy Mauger

Troy Mauger has been an irrigation farmer in the Riverina for 27 years. With his wife Meagan, he runs an 800ha mixed farm near Jerilderie, producing rice, winter cereals, and beef cattle.

Troy has been involved in local industry organisations including the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia. He has managed projects in the agricultural sector and delivered extension to dairy and rice farmers in the Riverina. Troy is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and is a Councillor on the Murrumbidgee Council.

Garry Knagge

Garry Knagge is a third-generation farmer from Gogeldrie NSW, in the heart of the Riverina. He grew up working on the family farm, which has been in his family for 95 years.

Garry completed a fitter machinist apprenticeship before embarking on an eighteen-month working holiday in England. Upon returning to Australia, he spent two years working in Moree on cotton farms before settling back in Gogeldrie.

For the past 25 years, Garry has been managing the family farm, where he cultivates rice for the pure seed program, winter cereals, fine wool Merino ewes, and first cross prime lambs. He has been actively involved in the rice industry for over 20 years and is deeply passionate about research and development within the sector.

David Moore

David Moore is a strategic agribusiness leader with a career spanning agronomy, research, and senior corporate management. David holds a doctorate in plant biotechnology and is a Churchill Fellow (2001), he has driven innovation across grains, rice, cotton, and horticulture, championing technology adoption within existing farming systems. David’s expertise includes commercial strategy, government engagement, and facilitating practice change to improve grower resilience and resource stewardship.

Most recently he was the General Manager Strategy & Engagement with the Rice Marketing Board for the State of NSW and is now the General Manager of the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme