Grace McDonald is a graduate agronomist based in Charters Towers and servicing growers across Far North Queensland.
Raised in Proserpine, Grace comes from a long line of cane farmers, with her family among the very first Italian settlers to grow cane in the region. While agriculture was always part of her life, it wasn’t until university that she discovered her passion for agronomy.
“I didn’t realise how many opportunities there were in the ag sector until university,” Grace said.
“High school didn’t offer agricultural science or open my eyes to the wider world of ag.”
“That is something I’m now passionate about promoting within the next crop of high school students, especially in my local area.”
Initially drawn to cropping through pastoral science lectures, Grace changed her major and went on to complete a double degree in Agricultural Science and Agribusiness in 2023. While studying, she worked as an agronomy assistant for a family-owned business in the Whitsundays. When the chance to join the renowned Elders Graduate Agronomy Program came up, she jumped at it.
“The last 12 months have been nothing short of exceptional,” Grace said.
“I’ve moved around the state, lived in towns I never would have passed through otherwise, and met so many new people. But more importantly, I’ve been exposed to so many cropping systems, scenarios, and landscapes.”
Through the program, Grace has worked with a wide range of crops, including cotton, grain and forage sorghum, mungbeans, soybeans, wheat, barley, chickpeas, oats, triticale, canola, and of course, her trusty old sugar cane.
“One of the biggest highlights for me has been picking up quite an interest in cotton agronomy,” Grace said.
“I didn’t know much about cotton before joining the program, but the world of cotton production and technology has been really interesting to learn and be involved in.”
Queensland’s mix of summer and winter cropping means agronomists are constantly adapting to different conditions.
“We’re lucky to have both summer and winter cropping systems here, but they do a lot of overlapping, so things can get pretty hectic.”
“It’s been fascinating to learn from the whole Queensland agronomy team, how they manage and support their areas while juggling the sometimes-unpredictable weather mother nature throws at them.”
Now, with two agronomists based in Far North Queensland and others spread across the state, the team covers vast distances but remains closely connected.
“It’s a testament to the power of the pink shirt,” Grace said.
“The team’s ability to share resources and knowledge is something to be in awe of. For the more senior agronomists, their willingness and eagerness to teach and share knowledge with myself and the other graduate agronomists in the state is invaluable.”
One of those mentors is Neal Stevenson, senior agronomist at Elders Miles, who Grace first met in her Miles rotation.
“Neal’s passion and energy for agronomy is infectious,” she said.
“His natural ability to teach the next generation of agronomists through his day-to-day operations and various detailed research projects in such a humble way is phenomenal.”
Grace is also excited to be working alongside Katelin Reddacliff, fellow agronomist at Charters Towers, someone she has long looked up to. The two first crossed paths when Grace was working in the Whitsundays, where Katelin was working leading research projects and delivering real benefits to her clients.
“Katelin was running some amazing research projects and creating so much value for her clients,” she said.
“I’m lucky to call her a friend, and now even luckier to be working under her as she proudly wears the pink shirt in Charters Towers, delivering that same value to her new area.
“She’s a huge asset to the northern region, and I can’t wait to learn everything I can from her during my time in North Queensland.”
For Grace, the Graduate Agronomy Program has been an incredible opportunity to learn, travel, and be part of a close knit agronomy network.
“It’s an opportunity like no other,” she said.
“Being able to learn from such a wide network of agronomists, all of whom are there to support and nurture the next generation, is something I’m very grateful for. I’m excited to see where the next 12 months of the Program goes, and then beyond in the pink shirt.”