Dr Greg Rebetzke is an agricultural scientist who has made significant contributions to global agriculture. He leads a multidisciplinary team focussed on improving grain industry resilience to climate change.
His work emphasises enhancing crop production and food security in drought and frost-prone areas. Dr Rebetzke collaborates with breeding companies to fast-track the adoption of new genetic traits and cost-effective phenotyping methods. His research has led to the development of elite wheat germplasm that significantly benefits the Australian grains industry, with an estimated annual value of $2.3–2.5 billion from improved water productivity.
Dr Rebetzke’s long-standing connection and commitment to improving grower resilience is delivering new genes and varieties for future climates, and his close industry connections have made his research highly impactful globally.
What inspired you to pursue the career path you eventually chose?
“I have a strong passion to give back and support the farmers and remote rural communities that are sometimes forgotten. I’m inspired by the commitment of farmers to grow crops in a climate-changing world where year-to-year extremes in heat, drought and frost can cripple family incomes. I’m proud to deliver research that will help ensure the sustainable and profitable production of crops now and into the future.”
What’s a surprising or fun fact about you?
“I grew up in suburban Brisbane – a world away from the realities of Australian rural life. Gatton college was an eye-opener to the joys and hardships of agricultural business.”
