Australian Wool Education Trust Scholarship grows Western Sydney University students' research skills

Together with fellow student and Penrith resident Dylan Fox, 20, who also received a scholarship, and team leader Dr Edward Narayan from the School of Science and Health, Mr Smith - an ex-Colo High student - will explore how shearing frequency influences reproductive success in merino sheep.

Both Mr Smith and Mr Fox are studying sustainable agriculture and food security at Hawkesbury Campus where they will conduct the research.

The scholarships will allow the students to spend time on the farm and in the laboratory, and they will have the opportunity to use the local campus's state-of-the-art non-invasive endocrinology technology to monitor and analyse reproductive and stress hormones in wool.

Local contingent Mr Smith said investment in research, including studies into heat stress, was vital for the longevity and success of the industry.

"Without research projects, agricultural production will drop. There will be little knowledge about the factors threatening the production system such as bacterial and fungal infections, stress and ultimately how to maintain biodiversity and positive interactions within a manufactured system," he said.

Growing up in the Hawkesbury, his interest in agriculture began at a young age, and developed into a passion for biosecurity and land management - an area he hopes to work in after graduating.

"Upon learning more about animals I discovered the importance plants had in the animal supply chain and every aspect of our lives. Without agriculture, there is no other way to generate enough food for the population boom of over seven billion people," Mr Smith said.

Research partner Mr Fox became interested in agriculture following visits to his grandparent's property, and went on to study agriculture at Xavier College high school in Llandilo, near Marsden Park.

"I was fortunate enough to benefit from an excellent agricultural program in high school," he said.

"I'm interested in becoming an agronomist; someone who is capable of showing producers how they can repair their land to achieve greater yields and a higher financial return."

Mr Fox said opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in industry research projects such as the one he is involved in at WSU were crucial to attracting young people to agriculture.

"Research is a major driver of agricultural innovation which is only possible when academia collaborates with producers. The project I'm involved with has strong links with local sheep producers and will explore how a better understanding of the animal can result in a greater yield of product," he said.

Results from the research project will be available at the end of 2019.