Biography

Tom served in a 2023 literature review on cover crops, and a 2025 study focused on potential advantages of early-vigour wheat in rotation with canola. Both these publications highlight economic aspects in support of recent Gulbali field studies in Southern Australia. These articles are coauthored with Prof Leslie Weston’s Plant Interaction group on Sustainable, environmentally friendly weed management, with GRDC support.

Tom joined a 2021study of the financial effects of under-vine cover crops aimed to reduce herbicide use in South Australian vineyards; and a new analysis of the 2015-2024 vineyard economic boom and bust in the NSW Riverina given the 2020-2024 Chinese tariffs on Australian wine. The coauthors of both works acknowledge strong support from local farmers and Wine Australia.

Tom serves on a research team focused on ‘Defining the economic and social benefits of regenerative farming systems,’ supported by the Soil CRC. This work includes comparisons to modern conventional agriculture in Australia.  Surveys covering the social, environmental and economic aspects of each approach are in progress and expected to be of value and interest to the rural community and the wider public. Weed management is a topic of discussion here as well.

First joining CSU in 1998 as a Senior Research Fellow (economist) with the Weeds CRC, Tom moved in 2002 to NSW Primary Industries (DPI) and further collaborative work with the Weeds CRC, the Salinity CRC, and Future Farming Industries CRC, in the NSW Public Service classification as Senior Research Scientist. In his 14 years with DPI he was recognized as an Adjunct Associate Prof by CSU. He has continued to serve in the latter role at CSU since 2016.

Prior to his 1998 move to CSU at Wagga Wagga, Tom served in economic research roles for 17 years with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), based at Aleppo, Syria (with field work and offices in West Asia, the Nile Valley, North Africa and Central Asia). This was after he earned his PhD at Oregon State University in 1981, following his 1974-75 research and publications at the University of Nevada, Reno, on the stressed economics of rural medical facilities. This was preceded by Tom’s 1972-73 service as a US Peace Corps volunteer in West Cameroon, Africa.  His record (of publications, training, grant-writing and outreach) is available on request.