Each week, the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC) shines a light on one of Western Australia’s leading agricultural scientists in our WA Scientist Spotlight series.
This week, we meet Dr Dean Thomas, a Senior Research Scientist with CSIRO and WAARC’s Northern Agriculture Program Lead, whose career has spanned sheep paddocks, PhD laboratories, and global research collaborations – all rooted in a childhood spent on a family farm near Ravensthorpe.
From the farm to the frontline of agricultural science
Dr Thomas’ journey into agricultural science began in the most hands-on of classrooms – his family’s farm near Ravensthorpe, nestled along WA’s south coast.
“My parents loved growing livestock,” Dr Thomas said.
“We had beef cattle, Merino sheep, pigs, goats, poultry, bees, and even yabbies.
“I think they were trying to find one that actually made money!”
Alongside animal production, the family also cropped, and Dr Thomas was soon behind the wheel during the long, coordinated seeding shifts.
This early exposure to agriculture laid the foundation for a career grounded in both practical understanding and scientific inquiry.
Dr Thomas had a lot of encouragement from his school teachers at Ravensthorpe District High School to pursue science, and it was actually a primary school teacher who suggested he should consider being a scientist rather than a teacher when this was discussed.
That early encouragement did the trick and eventually, Dr Thomas went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) at The University of Western Australia (UWA).
“I think that my lived experience with some of the challenges of agricultural production, inspired me to try to contribute to solving some of these in my career,” he said.
Following the science – one step at a time
Dr Thomas’ path from graduate to respected researcher was shaped by his openness to opportunity and his willingness to work hard.
After completing his undergraduate degree, he returned to the family farm, unsure of his next step until a phone call changed everything.
“Professor David Lindsay had a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) PhD scholarship and was looking for a student,” Dr Thomas said.
“Postgraduate studies had been on my mind, and this seemed like an excellent opportunity – I knew I’d be ok with getting my scientific writing skills up to scratch.”
The supervisory team – which included Dr John Milton, Professor Michael Ewing, and Dr Clinton Revell – sealed the deal.
The PhD that followed was intensive.
Dr Thomas conducted most of his field research at UWA’s Allandale research farm, juggling long days of data collection with deep dives into academic literature.
“At one point, my housemates commented that they only saw me once a week – on Saturday mornings when I was doing my washing,” he said.
With support from colleagues and inspiration from international leaders like Professor Fred Provenza, Dr Thomas completed his PhD and briefly joined CBH Group as a trainee before being invited to join CSIRO, with Dr David Masters offering a one-year contract to complete some research in the Sustainable Grazing of Saline Lands project.
That contract, which focused on how sheep grow and behave on high-salt diets, led to a postdoctoral fellowship with Australian Wool Innovation in the same field of research, then to a permanent Research Scientist role with CSIRO, which had a greater focus on livestock systems modelling.
Over the years, he’s contributed to more than 50 peer-reviewed publications covering topics from farming system modelling and net protein contribution, to precision livestock management and the use of on-animal sensors.
Spending six months in Canberra on a Rendel Fellowship to work with the Grazplan team, led by Dr Andrew Moore, was a real highlight during the early part of this role.
“I’ve always taken opportunities as they come, and then tried to achieve something as worthwhile as possible once I’ve got them,” Dr Thomas said.
“I’ve been lucky to work across a range of projects with funding from organisations like Australian Wool Initiative, Meat and Livestock Australia, GRDC, and the Federal Government.
“It’s important to connect with research leaders who support and believe in you, and then you also need to believe in yourself.”
Leading research from WA’s remote north to the global stage
Today, Dr Thomas wears multiple hats.
As a Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO and Program Lead for Northern Agriculture at WAARC, his responsibilities span research management, project development, mentoring, and high-level industry engagement.
“No two days are the same – unless I’m writing papers,” he said.
Dr Thomas attends project meetings, industry events, and leads a team of researchers who are based in four different states.
“I also get to work alongside many amazing people every day across the agricultural research community, who all have different skills and strengths to contribute to tackling industry challenges,” he said.
“Systems research relies strongly on people from many disciplines working together.”
Dr Thomas’ focus is now on enabling research across all levels of agricultural systems, supporting the ongoing development of CSIRO’s livestock modelling capabilities, and contributing to the future of agriculture in WA’s north.
A major current project, Cropping Enabled Cattle, is close to his heart.
Based in the Ord River Irrigation Area of the eastern Kimberley, the initiative is supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA), Cotton Research and Development Corporation and WAARC.
Its aim is to boost livestock production in the north through improved crop-livestock integration.
“This region is incredibly remote and has limited access to population centres and livestock research infrastructure,” Dr Thomas said.
“But the region has a strong culture of innovation and good research attracts strong industry support.”
For Dr Thomas, the project builds on a long-held research interest in the value that can be generated through integrating cropping and grazing systems.
“It began with my PhD, focused on weed control through grazing, and now it’s exciting to see how similar principles might apply in a tropical environment.”
Science with impact – local and global
Dr Thomas is clear-eyed about the role agricultural science must play in addressing contemporary challenges — from sustainability to food security and animal welfare.
“The role of livestock in society is under scrutiny, with questions about environmental impact, grain use, and animal welfare,” he said.
“Science provides the data and understanding needed to inform those discussions.”
One of his recent contributions was applying the Net Protein Contribution method to different livestock systems, showing how even feedlot-finished animals can contribute positively to human protein supply.
Beyond national research, Dr Thomas is also involved in an international project with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in their Livestock Environment Assessment Performance (LEAP) program, to develop global guidelines for assessing ecosystem services from livestock production.
“It’s been amazing to collaborate with researchers around the world working in different systems but coming together to develop a common framework,” he said.
“In fact, the project leader for this project worked with me in WA for several months as a PhD student about 10 years back.
“The guidelines will be published later this year, and I’m excited to see them used globally and here in WA to assist in making an informed case for the value of livestock in our agroecosystems.”
Inspiring the next generation
Alongside his research, Dr Thomas is a passionate mentor and advocate for emerging scientists.
He has supervised many Honours, Masters, and PhD students, primarily through an adjunct position with UWA, and now leads a team of researchers at various career stages.
“Helping train and encourage the next generation of scientists is something I find incredibly fulfilling,” Dr Thomas said.
“If you’re passionate about agriculture, and willing to persevere, it’s possible to do research that really makes a difference.”
His advice to students and early-career researchers is simple but powerful.
From the dusty paddocks of Ravensthorpe to developing guidelines at the FAO headquarters, Dr Thomas’ career has been a testament to the power of curiosity, collaboration, and perseverance.
Whether he’s modelling future farming systems or helping launch livestock research in WA’s remote north, his work is anchored in the belief that science, when applied thoughtfully and collaboratively, can transform agriculture – and the world.
Through the WA Agricultural Scientist Spotlight series, WAARC celebrates the contributions of researchers like Dr Dean Thomas, 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.