Vale James Philip Hogan

Jim Hogan spent most of his working life with CSIRO, retiring as a Chief Research Scientist in 1993. Following secondary education in Goulburn, NSW,  Jim graduated in Agricultural Chemistry at the University of Sydney in 1951.  After 2 years as a teaching fellow at that university, Jim joined CSIRO as a research officer under Dr. R. L. Reid at the McMaster laboratory in Sydney, and in 1955 was awarded a CSIRO scholarship to study under Dr. A. T. Phillipson at the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Aberdeen for his studies of ammonia transport from the digestive tract of sheep.

On his return to Australia in 1957, Jim joined the CSIRO Division of Animal Physiology at its Ian Clunies Ross Animal Research Laboratory (Prospect, Sydney) where he broadened his Rowett studies on the transport of ammonia from, and digesta flow through, the digestive tract.  This was achieved by developing digesta marker techniques with Dr. R.H Weston. The resultant series of publications on digestion and nitrogen transactions and metabolite production in the rumen are considered a major contribution to the knowledge of digestive function in the ruminant. The research was consolidated into several major reviews by the authors and remain seminal publications in the field of ruminant nutrition. Jim’s research focussed primarily on the nutrition of herbage-fed ruminants, and the role of supplemental grain and legumes in providing a balance of nutrients, but also extended to assessment of grains in high-concentrate diets.

Jim was appointed in 1983 to serve as Assistant Chief of the CSIRO Division of Tropical Animal Production at the Davies laboratory (Townsville) and later became the laboratory’s officer-in-charge. While in Townsville, Jim oversaw research funded by ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) and Meat and Livestock Australia, on nutrition of ruminants in tropical environments. His leadership was characterised by active collaboration with James Cook University and the Queensland Department of Primary Industry, and the mentoring of both Australian and overseas students, as evidenced by the range of co-authors in Jim’s publications. In recognition of his exceptional and sustained scientific contributions, and his service to the Australian Society of Animal Production, the Society elected Jim as a Fellow of the Society in 1990. Jim returned to Brisbane in 1992 and after retirement published several papers on camel nutrition and in the emerging field of animal welfare research.

Throughout his career, Jim was a strong exponent of the scientific method and was looked towards as a special sounding board for junior and senior scientists alike as a source of friendly advice. Somewhat irreverent and always constructive, Jim’s mentorship was exemplary; he was always available for a friendly chat, or to provide advice and gentle criticism, with an ability to simplify difficult matters in a logical order.  In getting his message across, Jim was a great raconteur, drawing upon experiences from his undergraduate days, through to his professional and personal interactions over the years with virtually all the leading animal scientists in Australia and abroad.  Jim will be remembered as a gentleman, outstanding scientist, generous colleague, clever raconteur and mentor. His impact on the field of ruminant nutrition via his own accomplishments, as well as the inspiration he gave to others, cannot be overstated. We will miss Jim, but his friendship, wit, wisdom, and vision will live on with all those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Jim is survived by wife, Rachel, and children.