ProfessorLuciano Gonzalez

Professor Luciano González has a BSc in Agronomic Engineering (Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina), and MSc and PhD in Animal Production (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain). Luciano held positions CSIRO in Townsville (research scientist, Division of Livestock Industries), University of Manitoba (Assistant Professor in Sustainable Grasslands and Livestock Production Systems, Canada), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as a postdoctoral research fellow (Lethbridge Research Centre), and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Lecturer in Animal Production, Spain).

Prior to his current position as the Nancy Roma Paech Chair in Sustainable Livestock Production, Luciano was Associate Professor of Livestock in Future Landscapes supported by the McCaughey Memorial Institute. Sir Samuel McCaughey emigrated from Ireland and established major pastoral holdings in New South Wales and Queensland. The origin of both bequests is embedded in Australian farming and Prof González is thrilled to continue working with the agricultural industries.

The generous and far sighted giftfrom Mrs Nancy Paech made possible Luciano's Chair position in Sustainable Livestock Production. Nancy Roma Paech spent her formative years at 'Leeson Station' near Winton (Queensland). Mrs Nancy died in 1987 and her state was managed by her husband Donald Paech until his passing in 2009 when Nancy's desire to donate her state to The University was known. In memory of Nancy's life in outback Australia and her desire to promote research in agricultural sciences, The University of Sydney created this Chair position. The University has set the goal of undertaking discovery and applied science for the benefit of the livestock industries and sustainable land management, entirely consistent with the spirit of the Paech Bequest. The bequest is also used to fund several Visiting Professorships, PhD Scholarships and Master Scholarships. The bequest is being used to support teaching, discovery and applied science that improves the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of livestock production, and the life of rural families. The legacy and bond of the Mrs Paech and Sir McCaughey with the land and agriculture helped provide the basis for the scope of work developed by Professor's Gonzalez group. The group's teaching, research and outreach activities focuss on beef cattle and sheep production including both extensive and intensive production systems.