Rate My Professor James Hunt

Professor James Hunt holds the position of Professor and William Farrer Lectureship in Agronomy in the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne. He is a leading agronomist and crop physiologist specializing in water-limited productivity of dryland cropping and mixed farming systems. His research emphasizes the integration of management practices and genetics to enhance productivity and profitability in grain-based farming systems, particularly in south-eastern Australia. Hunt's work addresses critical challenges such as crop yield optimization under water constraints, including the development of tools for nitrogen management, conservation agriculture, and climate adaptation strategies. Notable areas of focus include integrating long coleoptile wheat varieties, phenology classification for wheat and barley, soil organic matter dynamics in dryland systems, and sensing techniques for drought tolerance in ancient crop relatives.

Hunt joined the University of Melbourne in February 2022 after an illustrious career spanning over two decades. Prior appointments include six years at La Trobe University in the Institute of Agriculture and Food, seven years at CSIRO Agriculture and Food, and five years at the Birchip Cropping Group. His qualifications include a PhD and Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Melbourne. Hunt's scholarly impact is evidenced by highly cited publications, such as 'APSIM–evolution towards a new generation of agricultural systems simulation' (Environmental Modelling & Software, 2014), 'Break crops and rotations for wheat' (Crop & Pasture Science, 2015), 'Increasing productivity by matching farming system management and genotype in water-limited environments' (Journal of Experimental Botany, 2010), 'Early sowing systems can boost Australian wheat yields despite recent climate change' (Nature Climate Change, 2019), and 'Water and temperature stress define the optimal flowering period for wheat in south-eastern Australia' (Field Crops Research, 2017). He has served on the editorial board of Field Crops Research and received the 2017 ICM Agrifood Award during his tenure at La Trobe University. His contributions have profoundly influenced Australian mixed farming systems, promoting sustainable practices that balance productivity, profitability, and environmental resilience.