Profiles
- Ian Macleod
- Kate Allen
- Pat Farrell
- Phil Frost
- Chris Monsour
- Paul Munro
- Richard Porter
- Dr Hoong Pung
- John Seidel
- Mark Sumner
- Andrew Woodcock
Ian Macleod (Managing Director)
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
Kate Allen (Study Director)
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 Farrell (Study Director)
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 Frost (Principal Project Manager)
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
Chris Monsour (Regional Manager, North Queensland)
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
- PhD (Entomology) – University of Queensland (in progress)
Paul Munro (New Zealand)
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 Porter (Regional Manager, SA)
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
Dr Hoong Pung (Principal Research Scientist)
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)
John Seidel (Regional Manager, NSW/VIC)
John is based in Walla Walla; a mixed farming area with easy access to the horticultural areas of the MIA, Batlow and the Rutherglen vineyards. He is also responsible for Peracto’s Shepparton and Melbourne operations.
Research interests
John has over 30 years experience in research and development, both in the conduct of agronomic field trials and in project management. His particular expertise is broad acre seed and foliar disease management and pest and weed management in crop and pastures. He also has a keen interest in the adoption of biological control techniques in agriculture.
John has access to sowing and harvesting equipment and conducts broad acre crop and pasture trials as well as trials in pome and stone fruit and vines.
Qualifications
- B.Sc.
- Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment
- Registered ChemCertTrainer
Mark Sumner (Regional Manager, WA)
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
Andrew Woodcock (Business Manager)
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