Name Penny Riffkin | ||
Dr Penny Riffkin is an Australian Agricultural Scientist. She is a Senior Research Scientist in Grains Agronomy at the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI).
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Early life and education
Penny was born in Whangarei, New Zealand and attended schools in Hamilton New Zealand, Brisbane and Hamilton in Australia. She received her B Agr Sci from La Trobe University in 1989. She then received a Masters for her work in Nitrogen Fixation in white clover dairy pastures from the University of Western Sydney in 1999.
Career in Agricultural Research
In 1989, Penny joined the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) as a diagnostic microbiologist. Her initial research involved isolating pathogens responsible for disease in agricultural animals before shifting to research identifying factors affecting the symbiotic relationship between rhizobia and pasture legumes. Dr Riffkin's research into the integration of pasture legumes into cropping systems facilitated a move into improving cereal and canola yields in the high rainfall zone (HRZ) of southern Australia. Her linkages with National and international agencies has led to the development of a National program to improve crop yields and returns to growers.
Current work
Dr Riffkin in the Department of Environment and Primary Industries manages the National High Rainfall Cropping program in wheat and canola which identifies superior crop traits targeting high rainfall environments, the incorporation of traits into new varieties and the development of management practises to exploit the yield potential of improved germplasm. Her scientific expertise has led to yield targets for industry, the design of new wheat and canola types and incorporation of new crop types into farming systems in the HRZ and management tools for growers to better manage high yield potential crops.