Professor Phelps has a lifetime of professional and lived experience in agriculture and rural communities, and in addressing the impacts of drought within variable climates. He has initiated and led agricultural research, extension and adoption projects across northern Australia and has written numerous grazing management training packages.

During extended drought conditions from 2013 to the present day, David has contributed to practical measures to help increase resilience across western Queensland through voluntary community roles in the Rotary Club of Longreach and as the founding Chair of the Western Queensland Drought Appeal.

David seeks to enhance drought resilience and preparedness by linking the resources of the TNQ Drought and Innovation hub with the needs of the agricultural industries and rural communities across northern Queensland.

Interests

Professional

• International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
• International Rangeland Congress
• Australian Rangeland Society
• Arid and semi-arid zone entomology

Research

• Drought resilience in agriculture
• Climate change adaptation in agriculture
• Agricultural extension and adoption
• Global rangeland systems
• Rangeland ecology and management
• Rural socio-economic vulnerability
• Bridging local and academic knowledge
• Astrebla management
• Astrebla ecology
• Fire ecology and management
• Sustainable agriculture
• Grazing land management
• Australian native foods
• Extensive livestock management
• Agriculture technology in extensive grazing systems
• Lake Eyre Basin ecology and management
• Channel country ecology and management
• Arid and semi-arid plant ecology
• Floodplain pasture management
• Endorheic river systems
• Anastomosing river systems
• Vertosol management
• Sheep and goat production
• Inerface between herbivory and plant ecology

Experience

• 2022 to present - Professor, JCU (Townsville)
• 2019 to present - Adjunct Professor, CQU (Longreach)
• 2020 to 2022 - Manager, Regional Agribusiness Strategy, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Longreach)
• 2019 to 2020 - Flood Recovery Coordinator, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Longreach)
• 2010 to 2019 - Principal Scientist, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Longreach)
• 2001 to 2010 - Senior Scientist, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Longreach)
• 1990 to 2001 - Scientist, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Longreach)

Research Disciplines

• Agriculture, land and farm management (3002)
• Ecology (3103)
• Crop and pasture production (3004)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Terrestrial systems and management (1806)
• Adaptation to climate change (1901)

Awards

• 2018 - Landcare Innovation in Agriculture Land Management Award (National)
• 2017 - Landcare Innovation in Agriculture Land Management Award (Queensland)
• 2003 - Churchill Fellowship

Memberships

• 1990 - Australian Rangeland Society
• 1989 - Ag Institute Australia

Other

• 2020 - President, International Rangeland Committee
• 2015 to 2021 - President, Australian Rangeland Society

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Bowen M, Chudleigh F and Phelps D (2021) Bio-economic evaluation of grazing-management options for beef cattle enterprises during drought episodes in semiarid grasslands of northern Australia. Animal Production Science, 61 (1). pp. 72-83
• Rolfe J, Perry L, Long P, Frazer C, Beutel T, Tincknell J and Phelps D (2021) GrazingFutures: Learnings from a contemporary collaborative extension program in rangeland communities of western Queensland, Australia. Rangeland Journal, 43 (3). pp. 173-183
• Nielsen U, Stafford-Smith M, Metternicht G, Ash A, Baumber A, Boer M, Booth S, Burnside D, Churchill A, El Hassan M, Friedel M, Godde C, Kelly D, Kelly M, Leys J, McDonald S, Maru Y, Phelps D, Ridges M, Simpson G, Traill B, Walker B, Waters C and Whyte A (2020) Challenges, solutions and research priorities for sustainable rangelands. Rangeland Journal, 42 (5). pp. 359-373
• Phelps D and Kelly D (2020) A call for collaboration: Linking local and non-local rangeland communities to build resilience. Rangeland Journal, 42 (5). pp. 265-275
• Kelly D and Phelps D (2019) Looking beyond the D.U.S.T.-building resilient rangeland communities. Rangeland Journal, 41 (3). pp. 233-250
• Phelps D and Kelly D (2019) Overcoming drought vulnerability in rangeland communities: Lessons from central-western Queensland. Rangeland Journal, 41 (3). pp. 251-270
• Bray S, Allen D, Harms B, Reid D, Fraser G, Dalal R, Walsh D, Phelps D and Gunther R (2016) Is land condition a useful indicator of soil organic carbon stock in Australia's northern grazing land? Rangeland Journal, 38 (3). pp. 229-243
• Bray S, Walsh D, Phelps D, Rolfe J, Broad K, Whish G and Quirk M (2016) Climate Clever Beef: Options to improve business performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in northern Australia. Rangeland Journal, 38 (3). pp. 207-218
• Cullen B, Eckard R, Timms M and Phelps D (2016) The effect of earlier mating and improving fertility on greenhouse gas emissions intensity of beef production in northern Australian herds. Rangeland Journal, 38 (3). pp. 283-290

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