Pieter receives MLA Nuffield Scholarship
27 November 2020
Queensland goat producer, Pieter van Jaarsveld.
Queensland goat producer, Pieter van Jaarsveld, is the recipient of a prestigious 2021 Nuffield Australian Farming Scholarship, supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
Key points:
- Goat producer Pieter van Jaarsveld awarded a 2021 Nuffield Australian Farming Scholarship supported by MLA
- Pieter will utilise his scholarship to investigate how crossbreeding rangeland and Boer goats can increase meat production and drive greater productivity in the industry
- Through his Nuffield Scholarship, Pieter will attend the Grootfontein Agriculture Development Institute in South Africa and other research institutes.
Queensland goat producer, Pieter van Jaarsveld, is the recipient of a prestigious 2021 Nuffield Australian Farming Scholarship, supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
Pieter will utilise his scholarship to investigate how crossbreeding rangeland and Boer goats can increase meat production and drive greater productivity in the industry.
Increasing meat production
Pieter runs a Boer goat enterprise on the family farm at Gore in southern Queensland, alongside an Angus cattle and Wagyu breeding operation.
As managing director of the Boer goat business, Pieter currently produces meat goats with a breeding flock of 500 does working through local abattoirs to sell meat directly to consumers.
Currently completing a bachelor's degree in Animal Science and Agribusiness at the University of Queensland, Pieter is particularly focused on quantifying the benefits of crossbred rangeland and Boer goats and developing an industry grading system to increase value for their meat.
“Though the Australian goat industry is one of the largest exporters of goat meat, it’s yet to realise its full potential on a global scale, with a key challenge being the lack of industry-focused research and production data available,” Pieter said.
“There is a great opportunity for the Australian goat industry to transform to a more scientifically focused production system, by developing better management practices that offer practical solutions to goat production systems and producer education.
“Through my Nuffield Scholarship, I plan on attending the Grootfontein Agriculture Development Institute in South Africa, to understand how to better market goat meat and develop quality assessments of these meats and breeds, as well as visit other research institutions and studs globally.”
About Nuffield Australia
Pieter is one of 20 of Australia’s leading agriculturalists from throughout Australia who have been awarded prestigious Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarships for 2021.
Representing a diverse range of agricultural industries and key topic areas,scholars will undertake a global study program using a $30,000 bursary, researching their chosen topic across 14 weeks.
Scholars are selected annually on merit as people who are committed and passionate about farming or fishing, are at the leading edge of technology uptake and potential future leaders in the industry.
