Meet Our Key Contacts
Kate has been with Peracto since 2004 and comes from a background in viticulture and field agronomy.
Kate worked as a research officer with Peracto’s Tasmanian team for two years, conducting efficacy, residue and crop safety trials in a range of vegetable, broadacre and horticultural crops. She provides coordination for residue trials, ensuring GLP compliance in all facets of residue work, and the continual development of GLP systems and procedures.
Qualifications/Affiliations
Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons.)
Pat is based in Hamilton, New Zealand and has been a field technician, principal investigator and study director for GLP trials in Europe, North America and Australasia since 1991.
He has managed GLP compliant projects for raw agricultural commodity, processing, soil dissipation, beneficial insect, insect residue, soil and building fumigation and operator exposure studies. Pat is part of the Peracto team that is highly regarded for its expertise in the management of chemical residue trials.
Qualifications/Affiliations
Bachelor of Agricultural Science - Massey University, NZ
Phil has over 10 years experience in the evaluation and development of crop production
inputs including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, PGR's and nutrients. He
works closely with a number of the local industries to develop practical solutions
to agronomic issues with the aim of improving the efficiency and sustainability
of crop production.
With offices in both Launceston and Devonport the Tasmanian
team is well positioned to access the diverse range of crops and agricultural
industries in Tasmania where a relatively reliable climate with mild temperatures
is ideal for growing high quality crops.
Research interests
Weed management.
Evaluation and development of crop production inputs
Solving industry production issues
Qualifications
B.Agr.Sc.(Hons)
Agsafe accreditation
Bronwyn joined Peracto in early 2010 and is based in our Devonport office. Bronwyn has worked in research and extension capacities in a number of different areas relating to environmental and agricultural land management, and brings a broad general knowledge base to the Residues team.
Her main role within Peracto is the management of GLP-compliant residue studies.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Natural Resources (Hons) – University of New England
Graduate Diploma in Rural Science – University of New England
Ian has headed up Peracto since 1985 and has responsibility for setting and implementing strategic
direction and overall company management.
Research interests
Developing and managing research teams and networks nationally and internationally
Crop protection research, particularly in poppies, pyrethrum and horticultural crops
Qualifications/Affiliations
Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management
Member of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants
Director of the Global Alliance of Independent Agricultural Consultants
Chris is based in Bowen (in the Dry Tropics of North Queensland) and undertakes
contract research and provides pest management and agronomic services in a range
of horticultural crops between Mackay and Townsville.
Research interests
Chris has considerable experience in conducting efficacy, residue, crop safety, fertiliser and variety assessment trials, to complement his expertise in pest management, including biological control agents.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science - Murdoch University
Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) - Queensland University of Technology
Paul manages Peracto New Zealand, from his facility in Pukekohe.
With over 20 years experience in field research with major chemical companies in New Zealand, he successfully developed and managed his own research company Alpha Research Ltd (now Peracto NZ).
Paul adds further depth to the Peracto residue team with his understanding of, and his ability to access, the diverse range of crops and agricultural industries in New Zealand.
Research interests
Pest and disease management
>Integrated Pest Management
Grower focussed research needs
Qualifications
Diploma in Field Technology
Diploma in Agriculture
Member of NZ Plant Protection Society
Member of Royal Society of New Zealand
>Member of Horticulture NZ Research and Innovation Board
Richard is based in Adelaide and undertakes contract research in a range of broadacre,
viticultural and horticultural crops across the state.
Research interests
Richard has experience in the conduct and management of trial programs, gleaned from technical roles in the agchem and seed industries over the past fifteen years. Particular interests exist in broadacre agronomy, viticulture and variety trials (Richard is a QP).
Qualifications
Bachelor of Agricultural Science - University of Adelaide
Post Graduate Diploma in Business - University of Adelaide
Hoong has extensive experience and knowledge in a wide range of diseases including
Sclerotinia diseases, grey mould, downy mildew, poppy fire, white blister, root
and stem rots by Rhizoctonia, potato diseases such as black scurf, common scab,
powdery scab, pink rot and dry rot. Since 1995, Hoong has conducted plant pathology
research in approximately 20 industry funded horticultural projects with the aim
of developing commercially acceptable integrated disease management strategies
with chemical, cultural and non-chemical methods in a wide range of crops (e.g.
apples, legumes, leafy vegetables, brassicas, root vegetables, potatoes, poppies,
pyrethrum).
Research interests
Diagnostic services, laboratory studies and field trials within commercial crops to investigate, identify, screen, evaluate and develop plant disease control strategies. Hoong has a special interest in horticultural crop diseases, optimising and integrating chemical and non-chemical control strategies for soil borne disease management and overall crop and soil health.
Qualifications
B.Sc. (Hons)
Ph.D (Plant Pathology)
Mark is based in Perth and undertakes contract research and technical services
in a wide range of broadacre and horticultural crops, turf grass and domestic
pest control.
Research interests
Mark has over 30 years experience in product research and development, technical service and project management in the agrochemical and crop protection industry. Primary roles involve a wide range of cropping situations including broadacre agriculture, horticulture, forestry, turf grass and domestic pest control. Mark has a special interest in product application, application techniques and equipment design, and has been instrumental in developing a number of novel application systems for crop protection products.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science - Murdoch University
Chris is based in Bundaberg and undertakes contract research in a wide range of broadacre and horticultural crops throughout the Widebay/Burnett region of Queensland.
Research interests
Chris has experience in citrus production and pest management as well as sales, management and technical development in the agchem and vegetable seed industries.
Particular interest exists in IPM, capsicum variety development and virus management in solanaceous crops.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Applied Science (Horticultural Technology) – University of Queensland
Post Graduate Diploma of Science (Entomology) – University of Queensland
Melissa is based in Devonport and manages the Quality Assurance Unit.
Melissa has been with Peracto since early 2010 and came to us with more than 15 years of experience working with Quality Management Systems, within a variety of industries.
She provides the direction for our GLP compliance procedures and ensures our quality standards are of world class. Her systems and quality background provide essential support to many aspects of the company including leadership in the important OH&S area.
Andrew manages the business and administrative side of Peracto, including development
and monitoring of the annual budget process, forecasting, performance tracking,
staff recruitment and contract negotiation.
He is also involved with IT systems development.
He has been with Peracto since 2005 and comes from a business management background in a variety of industries including hospitality and mining.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Business (Accounting) - University of Tasmania
