Bruce Lipson Hancock
After growing up on a farm in southeast South Australia, Bruce graduated with a Diploma in Applied Science (Agriculture) from Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1979. He subsequently completed training in AUS-MEAT assessment (1998) and a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training (2002). After Roseworthy, Bruce joined the SA Department of Agriculture (now Rural Solutions SA within Primary Industries and Regions) specialising in livestock with a focus on dairy and pastures before his extremely fruitful time in the lamb industry.
Bruce is currently the National Supply Chain Coordinator for Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), Sheep CRC and Advanced Livestock Measurement Technologies program. This involves coordinating meetings with a range of MLA managers, red meat processors and scientists. It also involves targeted meetings within supply chains to ensure effective delivery of technologies to improve meat yield and eating quality. Bruce has also delivered numerous producer workshops across southern Australia and is a sought after facilitator. Moreover, he has assisted the industry internationally through three missions in the Middle East (Iraq 1983–1985, Jordan 1990–1991 and Palestine 1999), and by developing and coordinating the Iraq short course in Livestock Reproduction Technologies for 26 trainees in Australia (2008).
Bruce is absolutely committed to developing our livestock industries and especially developing young people. He relentlessly sends reminders to colleagues challenging them to think about linking more closely with industry and providing opportunities for young people. He has a long list of people in industry where he sends job opportunities and other information that they may benefit from. Bruce was a big part of the 2016 ASAP committee success in attracting sponsorship and focussing on development of junior scientists. Bruce was a huge driver of the SA LambEx in 2014 and then after it was successful, rather than accept pats on the back, he challenged the SA industry to build further. This led to the development of the SA Sheep Industry Blueprint, and partnership with Davies Research Centre at the University of Adelaide. This has become part of SAMRC and the SA Beef Industry Blueprint.
Bruce’s input into the Australian Society of Animal Production and livestock industries is legendary due to his relentless drive for the application of the latest advances in technology and the upskilling of those working in the industry. It is for these contributions to the livestock industries in Australia that the Australian Society of Animal Production is pleased to enrol Bruce Hancock as a Fellow.