David Chapman, currently Professor of Pasture Science at the University of Melbourne, will join DairyNZ as a principal scientist.

He will lead the team responsible for developing more and better feed, and improving farm systems.

Chapman will be responsible for work across New Zealand and will be based on the Lincoln University campus, near Christchurch, from midyear.

He is a Lincoln graduate who started work with DSIR (now AgResearch), completing a PhD in the UK before moving to Australia in 1996.

DairyNZ Chief Scientist Eric Hillerton said Chapman's return brings key skills in pasture and grazing management, dairy forage production and development of pasture-based livestock systems to benefit all of New Zealand’s dairy farmers.