Max Bloomfield

Research manager & PhD candidate in crop agronomy 🌾

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

A season of change for FAR Australia

After nearly 22 years shaping the future of field applied research in Australia, Nick Poole has announced he will step down as Managing Director of FAR Australia in March 2026.

From a one-man band in 2003 to a nationally respected RD&E provider, Nick’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. With deep roots in UK agriculture and a passion for Australian cropping systems, Nick has led FAR Australia with vision, grit, and unwavering commitment.

“Agricultural research has never been a job for me—it’s been my life’s work,” Nick shared. “FAR Australia is a fitting legacy.”

Under Nick’s leadership, FAR Australia has become a trusted source of independent research, helping growers make countless profitable decisions. His ability to connect with farmers, advisers, and researchers has left a lasting impact on the grains industry.

Chair Andrew Rice paid tribute to Nick’s legacy: “Nick’s technical know-how and dedication have shaped FAR Australia into what it is today. The trust growers place in our work is a testament to his leadership.”

While Nick will step back from the MD role, he will continue to support FAR Australia through keystone projects and mentoring the next generation of researchers.

The search for a new CEO is now underway. With a bold vision for 2026 and beyond, FAR Australia is looking for a dynamic leader to guide the organisation into its next chapter.

To all who’ve supported Nick and FAR Australia over the years—thank you. The journey continues, and the future is bright.

#FARAustralia #AgResearch #RDandE #LeadershipTransition #NickPoole #GrainsIndustry #SustainableFarming #AgInnovation #AustralianAgriculture

@Pooley_Nick_FAR

[Max Bloomfield @Blooming_fields]

Mechanical🐑grazing @theGRDC @far_australia Agronomy for Frost Avoidance experiment last week in Salmon Gums WA. Defoliating early sown (8 Apr) quick-developing wheat and barley to delay flowering and avoid❄️

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

How did our Industry Innovations Germplasm Evaluation Network (GEN) trials perform in 2023? Find out which wheat and barley cultivars performed best across five of our Crop Technology Centres located in NSW, VIC, TAS, SA and WA: https://t.co/7npT81Wmcf

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

How did three winter wheat varieties (red feeds) and one long season spring cultivar of wheat (white) perform under three different fungicide management levels sown in mid-May in the Millicent (SA) HRZ environment. Click here to find out more https://t.co/0WfPpMzwyB
#HYC

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

One of two trials harvested at @theGRDC's agronomic interventions for frost avoidance at Salmon Gums, WA.

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

We're almost set for an insightful day showcasing
@theGRDC's #HyperYieldingCrops trials at our SA #CropTechnologyCentre in Millicent tomorrow. Come on down to see what we have learnt to date and what we can do to increase productivity.

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

Welcome to issue 1 of #inGRAINed 'Cropping Strategies', the first in our series of extension and education aids for growers and industry. These will be complimented with a series of YouTube videos and Podcasts throughout the growing season. https://t.co/oTmXubHTFK

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

Don't forget to join us on Tuesday in Millicent, SA to talk #hyperyieldingcrops; what did 2022 teach us, and how did the season compare with previous years? Also find out which growers took out the @theGRDC's 2022 #hyperyieldingcrops awards. https://t.co/fIhwHTswYo

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

#hyperyieldingcrops canola, Millicent at early stem elongation. Growing rapidly on a sunnier (but still windy) day. @theGRDC @GRDCSouth @MacKillopGroup #SACropTechnologyCentre

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

Work is underway on the national frost initiative at our research site in Bundalong, NE Victoria. A @theGRDC investment which aims to enhance frost tolerance and/or avoidance in wheat, barley and canola crops through in-season agronomic manipulation https://t.co/Ytx7YnE8eu

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

Agronomists and grain growers are invited to join @Pooley_Nick_FAR and other industry experts to discuss the cutting edge of cereal and canola disease and fungicide resistance management in a 2-day @theGRDC supported workshop, brought to you by #AFREN.
https://t.co/PATtfacwP2

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

Research Manager - Crop Agronomy
An opportunity to join an enthusiastic research team who are science providers and project managers for cropping research initiatives across Australia. https://t.co/aRfvj7tSum

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

First plots for 2023 are in the ground at our Bundalong site. A trial which will look at techniques into managing frost risk in wheat and barley @theGRDC

[Darcy Warren @darcydww2]

12t/ha spring barley yield has us very excited! Not bad for a 5-month crop! Uncorrected for moisture atm but don't expect it to change too much. Control var. RGT Planet in yellow #hyperYieldingCrops @theGRDC @far_australia @Pooley_Nick_FAR

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

Our very own @Pooley_Nick_FAR will be there providing an update on Hyper yielding cereal agronomy - key levers and their interactions - varieties, N and lessons learnt and @BenmorrisMorris will be talking about how we can push yield barriers in faba bean.

[Nick Poole @Pooley_Nick_FAR]

That’s the last of the @theGRDC's HYC wheat plots getting the chop at Millicent - winter Canola up next. Thanks to @Blooming_fields and @Daniel_in_Ag, great job team. @darcydww2 @MacKillopGroup

[Nick Poole @Pooley_Nick_FAR]

Final Dry matter cuts on winter canola. Plenty of stem with pods starting at 1.5m above the ground. Low levels of Sclerotinia both stem and branch where crop is standing. Higher levels where crop has lodged. #SACropTechnologyCentre
@theGRDC

[Kenton Porker @kentonp_ag]

Picture tells a thousand words...
1. Power of improved genetic disease resistance
2. Incorporation of SDHI into conventional fungicide Chlorothalonil/Carbendazim program = superior control with less shots in more resistant material
@GRDCSouth Pulse Agronomy
Thanks @AaronVague

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

Three more sleeps until the delivery of our annual HYC and pulse agronomy field day in the HRZ of VIC. We're delighted to have Prof. James Hunt joining us to discuss the building blocks to achieving fertile systems for HYC production. Register here https://t.co/R1vQvKBOTi

[FAR Australia @far_australia]

The weather has certainly turned it on as we kick off our annual SA HYC and Pulse Agronomy field day in Millicent where we're showcasing canola, pulses and cereal trials.