This week, the WA Agricultural Scientist Spotlight turns its attention to Dr Andrew Fletcher, a Farming Systems Scientist with CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency.
Dr Fletcher’s career has been shaped by a deep curiosity about how plants, soil, and climate interact, and his work continues to push the boundaries of sustainable farming practices.
From curiosity to agricultural science
Dr Andrew Fletcher’s journey into agricultural science began in his hometown of Lincoln, New Zealand, where he developed an early passion for science.
“I always had a passion for science going through school, I always enjoyed science and loved understanding how biology worked,” Dr Fletcher said.
With a father who was also an agricultural scientist, he had an early awareness of the field’s significance, but his own passion for the discipline emerged as he progressed through university.
After completing high school, Dr Fletcher pursued a Bachelor of Science at Lincoln University, specialising in plant science.
His honours year proved pivotal, sparking a deep interest in research.
“It was at this point that I realised I had a passion for the process of research,” he said.
Encouraged by his supervisor, he embarked on a PhD at Lincoln University, where he studied the phosphorus responses of sweet corn.
This foundational work set the stage for a dynamic career in agricultural science.
A career defined by discovery and impact
Upon completing his PhD, Dr Fletcher seized an opportunity to work as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Florida in America.
His research focused on the physiological processes underlying the ‘slow-wilting’ trait in soybean.
“This was a really important experience for me, it opened my eyes to a new crop and a new agricultural system that was vastly different to what I was used to,” Dr Fletcher said.
Exposure to international agricultural practices broadened his perspective and reinforced the value of diverse research environments.
Returning to New Zealand, he joined Crop and Food Research (now Plant and Food Research), a Crown Research Institute, where he worked on the physiology and modelling of arable and forage crops.
After five years, he transitioned to his current role at CSIRO in Australia where the collaborative environment has allowed him to work with experts across the country, further enhancing his research impact.
“My current role focuses on Mediterranean-climate cropping systems, researching crop establishment, crop rotation, and diversification,” Dr Fletcher said.
A dynamic role in agricultural science
For Dr Fletcher, no two days are the same in agricultural science with his work involving a mix of designing experiments, analysing data, developing new research projects, attending workshops, and presenting findings at industry conferences and field days.
“The great thing about science as a career is that there is no such thing as a typical workday or workweek,” he said.
Leading a team of about 10 people, he also dedicates time to mentoring and discussing experimental approaches and management with his colleagues.
Dr Fletcher’s current research is focused on two major areas – enhancing biological nitrogen fixation in WA cropping systems and understanding canola establishment challenges.
In the first area, he leads a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC) invested project exploring ways to integrate more biological nitrogen fixation into Western Australian farming.
“We are looking at opportunities for companion cropping of legumes with cereals and the introduction of summer-active legume crops,” Dr Fletcher said.
“The goal is to reduce reliance on synthetic nitrogen inputs without sacrificing crop productivity.”
His second major project, a national GRDC investment, investigates the environmental and management factors affecting canola establishment.
This developed from his work on dry sowing and crop establishment more broadly, which is a clear problem for crop growers worldwide.
Dr Fletcher’s work is deeply connected to the needs of Western Australian farmers.
“One of the strengths of agricultural science in Australia is that we work closely with farmers to ensure our research is addressing their current problems,” he said.
“I love that Australian farmers really buy into the research process and are always challenging us to make the research outcomes relevant to them.”
His research findings are often communicated directly to farmers, ensuring that the knowledge generated has practical benefits.
While Dr Fletcher’s research is located in Western Australia, its implications extend globally.
Many of the challenges faced by local farmers mirror those in other parts of the world, making international collaboration a key aspect of his work.
“One of the great things about working in agricultural science is collaborating with colleagues overseas to address similar problems,” Dr Fletcher said.
“The exchange of ideas and solutions across borders strengthens the impact of agricultural research worldwide.”
Advice for the next generation of agricultural scientists
For students and early-career scientists considering a future in agricultural research, Dr Fletcher believes it is something that can take you to many different places, and help you meet lots of interesting people.
He encourages young scientists to have a broad career plan but remain open to unexpected opportunities.
“Be open to the opportunities that will inevitably present themselves and take those opportunities,” Dr Fletcher said.
“Never be afraid to share your ideas with others.”
He also highlighted the importance of teamwork and relationship-building in agricultural research.
“You can’t be an expert in everything, it’s important to seek input from others and contribute your knowledge when asked,” he said.
Successful agricultural science careers are built on collaboration and knowledge-sharing, making interpersonal skills as crucial as technical expertise.
Dr Fletcher’s career exemplifies the impact of agricultural science in addressing real-world challenges.
From his early curiosity about biology to leading cutting-edge research at CSIRO, his journey highlights the power of scientific inquiry and collaboration.
Through the WA Agricultural Scientist Spotlight series, WAARC celebrates the contributions of researchers like Dr Andrew Fletcher, whose work exemplifies the dedication and innovation needed to advance agricultural science in Western Australia.
By sharing their stories, the series aims to inspire a new generation to pursue careers in this vital field, ensuring the state remains at the forefront of agricultural research and sustainability.