The Soil CRC is pleased to welcome Rob Milla, Manager of Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS), to our Board of Directors. Rob is an accredited extension agronomist based in North Queensland, where he assists sugarcane growers with agronomic advice.
Our CEO, Dr Michael Crawford, said Rob has been an enthusiastic contributor to the Soil CRC since its commencement and has been a respected partner in many projects through his BPS leadership.
“Rob brings valuable insights into the research needs on the ground and an in depth understanding of what farmers, especially sugarcane farmers, are looking for,” he said. “More importantly, with the Soil CRC coming to an end in 2027, Rob’s expertise in extension will be particularly valuable at the Board level as we focus on the adoption of our research outputs.”
“We feel privileged to have Rob on the Soil CRC Board as a Non-Independent Director and look forward to his guidance on how to deliver practical, science-based outcomes for Australian farmers and the broader agricultural industry.”
Rob’s career has focused on bridging the gap between research and practice – translating complex agronomic soil science findings into actionable on-farm outcomes.
Rob said he is deeply committed to connecting national soil research with local industry application. Through BPS, he has been involved in more than 15 Soil CRC projects, looking at new sensors for measuring soil nutrients, developing affordable rapid field-based soil tests, improving pesticide delivery, evaluating alternative rhizobial carriers, improving decision support systems, creating organic-based nitrogen fertilisers, integrated solutions for accessing soil moisture and accelerating the extension of Soil CRC research.
“I’m eager to use my experience with sugarcane agronomy and extension in North Queensland and my knowledge of the Soil CRC’s research to help bolster the organisation’s extension endeavours and expand our research impact,” he said.
“It has been fantastic to be part of a collaborative research effort that is bringing new knowledge and new technology to our growers and I look forward to helping to guide and support this transfer of knowledge in a different capacity.
“Being able to share research findings across many Australian farming regions and industries will help sustain agriculture and Australia’s soils into the future.”
Rob holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Agricultural) and has over 20 years’ experience in agricultural extension, soil and water management, and farming systems improvement. He has held agronomic advisory and extension roles with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (now Sugar Research Australia).