When asked which of the esteemed scientists he is most proud to join as a Fellow for the Australian Association of Animal Sciences (AAAS), the answer comes easily for Professor Phil Vercoe.

“Perhaps not surprisingly, when it comes to other Fellows who have inspired me, my father tops that list,” Professor Vercoe said.

The UWA Institute of Agriculture Associate Director and Deputy Head of the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment said being named an AAAS Fellow was one of the more emotional moments in his career.

“It was completely unexpected and really was a very humbling experience,” he said.

“I think the emotion and honour stems from my peers considering my contribution worthy of joining a list of people I have looked up to and respected for my entire career.

“And of course, the fact that I joined my father, which I believe makes us the only father-son combo on the list.”

Image: Professor Phil Vercoe on his first day of university with his father Dr John Vercoe.

Dr John Vercoe was a key player in international livestock research, who made many important contributions to Australia's cattle industry through his time at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and various divisions in Queensland.

Professor Vercoe reminisced that it was helping his father, alongside his brother and sister, on weekends down at the Animal Genetics Division in Rockhampton that likely led him down the path of pursuing livestock production.

“It was the stories he used to tell after coming back from international trips that made me realise just how critical agricultural research was to providing stability in communities,” he said.

Professor Vercoe emphasised that there was many AAAS Fellows who had supported and mentored him over the decades, including emeritus professors Ron Leng, John Nolan, Dave Lindsey, Graeme Martin and Professor Reg Moir.

As he reflects on his past three decades at UWA, there are several professional highlights that stand out in his mind.

The most significant achievement was winning the Australian Museum Eureka Award for Sustainable Agriculture in 2013 alongside his ‘Enrich Project’ colleagues within the Future Farm Industries CRC.

The remaining highlights were his sabbaticals at the Rowett Research Institute in Scotland, and the second with the joint International Atomic Energy Agency and Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Animal Production and Health Division in Vienna.

However, one of the consistent highlights over my career has been the annual graduation ceremonies and watching the many clever students who complete their degrees who are keen to get into the workforce and make a difference in our industry."

Professor Phil Vercoe

 

As for the future, Professor Vercoe said he was looking forward to working as part of the 10-year national Zero Net Emissions in Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre team, leading Program 2 ‘Towards methane-free sheep and cattle’.

"The CRC is very exciting at a time when there needs to be a greater clarity around ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australian agriculture," Professor Vercoe said. 

“Above all, we need to inspire the next generation of clever, younger people into agriculture, and I hope to continue to contribute to that."