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Professor Daniel Rodriguez
Professor

Daniel Rodriguez

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 535 15091

Overview

Background

Professor Dr. Rodriguez is a biophysicist trained at Wageningen University, specializing in crop ecophysiology and systems modelling to enhance adaptation in broadacre crops. His recent research focuses on trait physiology and high-throughput field phenotyping for drought tolerance in grain crops. He combines empirical research, crop modelling, and data analytics to develop more profitable, sustainable, and resilient crops and cropping systems. Dr. Rodriguez collaborates with institutions in Australia and various countries in eastern and southern Africa, Indonesia, Latin America, and China. He served as President of the Australian Society of Agronomy and organized the 2022 Australian Agronomy Conference. He has contributed to the Academic Board of the University of Queensland and its Research and Innovation Committee. Dr. Rodriguez is the founding editor-in-chief of Nature’s npj Sustainable Agriculture and serves as an Expert Advisor for the Independent Science for Development Council of CGIAR. He is also a member of the College of Experts at the University of Queensland’s Global Change Institute and sits on the Editorial Board of multiple academic journals.

Availability

Professor Daniel Rodriguez is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Qualifications

  • Masters (Research) of Science, Wageningen University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Wageningen University

Research interests

  • Risk management in agriculture

    My research is focused on exploring the functioning of agricultural systems. My projects are often carried out in multidisciplinary teams and with the participation of multiple stakeholders e.g. farmers, private consultants, agribusinesses, policy. This presents unique challenges, including longer lead times to publication compared to disciplinary research. My aims are to understand how people make decisions and act, how those decisions can be informed, and how the final actions affect the performance of crops, animals, farm businesses, the broader environment and the social and food systems.

Research impacts

Evidence of his impact include, the development of whole farm simulation capacity within the APSIM model, which lead to UQ’s participation in a $40M project, resulting in the increased food security of 240,000 smallholder farmers in Africa; the production of evidence on how improved crop designs could deliver large profit gains (~$140 ha-1year-1) in Queensland’s 600,000 ha sorghum industry; and the identification of farm business designs that are more profitable, sustainable and resilient in face of increasing climate variability and change. He achieved this in partnerships with farmers, National and International donors and the private sector. His leadership in research is also evidenced by receiving annual invitations as a keynote speaker at international conferences. He annually present at industry forums, and he is active with government groups in the translation of his research into industry practice; and in informing policy. Prof Rodriguez leads and mentors a team of full-time researchers. He has successfully graduated numerous PhD students since starting at the University of Queensland in 2010, and mentored multiple Honours, MSc and MPhil students in collaboration with UQ Schools. He was President of the Australian Society of Agronomy (2019-22) and organiser of the Australian Agronomy Conference, Toowoomba October 2022. Prof Rodriguez was member of the Local Confirmation and Promotions Committee at UQ’s Faculty of Science (2014-2016); he is member of the College of Experts at UQ’s Global Change Institute; he was Editor-in-Chief of Agricultural Systems 2013-2018; he is member of the Editorial Board of Agricultural Systems, and was Associate Editor of Field Crops Research; he is one of the permanent organisers of the International Symposium for Farming Systems Design since 2009, the Global Food Security Conference in 2015 and 2017, and the World Congress on Conservation Agriculture in 2011. He is the foundational editor in chief for Nature's journal npj Sustainable Agriculture, and serves as an Expert Advisor for the Independent Science for Development Council of CGIAR.

Works

Search Professor Daniel Rodriguez’s works on UQ eSpace

122 works between 1993 and 2025

61 - 80 of 122 works

2014

Journal Article

A participatory whole farm modelling approach to understand impacts and increase preparedness to climate change in Australia

Rodriguez, Daniel, Cox, Howard, deVoil, Peter and Power, Brendan (2014). A participatory whole farm modelling approach to understand impacts and increase preparedness to climate change in Australia. Agricultural Systems, 126, 50-61. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2013.04.003

A participatory whole farm modelling approach to understand impacts and increase preparedness to climate change in Australia

2014

Conference Publication

How farmers, graziers, miners, and gas-industry personnel see their potential for coexistence in rural Queensland

Everingham, Jo-Anne, Collins, Nina, Rifkin, Will, Rodriguez, Daniel, Baumgartl, Thomas, Cavaye, Jim and Vink, Sue (2014). How farmers, graziers, miners, and gas-industry personnel see their potential for coexistence in rural Queensland. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/167016-PA

How farmers, graziers, miners, and gas-industry personnel see their potential for coexistence in rural Queensland

2014

Conference Publication

Seeing is believing I: the use of thermal sensing from satellite imagery to predict crop yield

Potgieter, A. B., Rodriguez, D., Power, B., Mclean, J. and Davis, P. (2014). Seeing is believing I: the use of thermal sensing from satellite imagery to predict crop yield. ISDE 2013: The 8th International Symposium On Digital Earth, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, 26-28 August 2013. Temple Way, Bristol, United Kingdom: Institute of Physics Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/18/1/012118

Seeing is believing I: the use of thermal sensing from satellite imagery to predict crop yield

2014

Conference Publication

Best-fit residue allocation: A gate for legume intensification in nitrogen constrained cropping systems of Central Mozambique

Nhantumbo, N., Dias, J., Mortlock, M., Nyagumbo, I., Dimes, J. and Rodriguez, D. (2014). Best-fit residue allocation: A gate for legume intensification in nitrogen constrained cropping systems of Central Mozambique. 1st African Congress on Conservation Agriculture, Lusaka, Zambia, 18 - 21 March 2014. IACCA.

Best-fit residue allocation: A gate for legume intensification in nitrogen constrained cropping systems of Central Mozambique

2013

Other Outputs

Energy resources from the food bowl: an uneasy co-existence. Identifying and managing cumulative impacts of mining and agriculture

Collins, Nina, Everingham, Jo-Anne, Baumgartl, Thomas, Vink, Sue, Rodriguez, Daniel, Cavaye, Jim, Mulligan, David and Rifkin, Will (2013). Energy resources from the food bowl: an uneasy co-existence. Identifying and managing cumulative impacts of mining and agriculture.

Energy resources from the food bowl: an uneasy co-existence. Identifying and managing cumulative impacts of mining and agriculture

2013

Journal Article

Characterization of north-eastern Australian environments using APSIM for increasing rainfed maize production

Chauhan, Y. S., Solomon, K. F. and Rodriguez, D. (2013). Characterization of north-eastern Australian environments using APSIM for increasing rainfed maize production. Field Crops Research, 144, 245-255. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2013.01.018

Characterization of north-eastern Australian environments using APSIM for increasing rainfed maize production

2013

Journal Article

Spatial impact of projected changes in rainfall and temperature on wheat yields in Australia

Potgieter, A., Meinke, H., Doherty, A., Sadras, V. O., Hammer, G., Crimp, S. and Rodriguez, D. (2013). Spatial impact of projected changes in rainfall and temperature on wheat yields in Australia. Climatic Change, 117 (1-2), 163-179. doi: 10.1007/s10584-012-0543-0

Spatial impact of projected changes in rainfall and temperature on wheat yields in Australia

2013

Conference Publication

Forecasting the major crops for Australia and crop yield insurance: an integrated climate, biophysical and remote sensing approach

Potgieter, Andries, Hammer, Graeme, Rodriguez, David, Doherty, Alastair, Davis, Peter, Power, Brendan and Book, Peter (2013). Forecasting the major crops for Australia and crop yield insurance: an integrated climate, biophysical and remote sensing approach. The Challenges of Index-Based Insurance for Food Security in Developing Countries: A Technical Workshop organised by JRC & IRI, Ispra Varese, Italy, 2-3 May, 2012. Luxembourg, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Union, European Commission. doi: 10.2788/713

Forecasting the major crops for Australia and crop yield insurance: an integrated climate, biophysical and remote sensing approach

2013

Conference Publication

From information to actionable knowledge: hotspots of food insecurity in Eastern Africa

Potgieter, Andries, Rodriguez, Daniel, Davis, Peter and Dimes, John (2013). From information to actionable knowledge: hotspots of food insecurity in Eastern Africa. The Challenges of Index-Based Insurance for Food Security in Developing Countries: A Technical Workshop organised by JRC & IRI, Ispra Varese, Italy, 2-3 May 2012. Luxembourg, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Union, European Commission. doi: 10.2788/713

From information to actionable knowledge: hotspots of food insecurity in Eastern Africa

2013

Journal Article

Simulating guinea grass production: empirical and mechanistic approaches

Araujo, Leandro C., Santos, Patricia M., Rodriguez, Daniel, Pezzopane, Jose Ricardo M., Oliveira, Patricia P. A. and Cruz, Pedro G. (2013). Simulating guinea grass production: empirical and mechanistic approaches. Agronomy Journal, 105 (1), 61-69. doi: 10.2134/agronj2012.0245

Simulating guinea grass production: empirical and mechanistic approaches

2013

Conference Publication

How farmers, graziers, miners, and gas industry personnel see their potential for co-existence in rural Queensland

Everingham, J., Collins, N., Rifkin, W., Rodriguez, D., Baumgartl, T., Cavaye, J. and Vink, S. (2013). How farmers, graziers, miners, and gas industry personnel see their potential for co-existence in rural Queensland. SPE 13URCE: Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition-Asia Pacific 2013, South Bank, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November, 2013. Richardson, TX, USA: Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). doi: 10.2118/167016-MS

How farmers, graziers, miners, and gas industry personnel see their potential for co-existence in rural Queensland

2013

Conference Publication

Beyond science and engineering: Tackling socio-environmental issues in the resources industry

Everingham, J., Collins, N., Baumgartl, T., Vink, S., Mulligan, D., Rifkin, W., Rodriguez, D. and Cavaye, J (2013). Beyond science and engineering: Tackling socio-environmental issues in the resources industry. Sustainable Development in Minerals Industry Conference (SDIMI), Milos Island, Greece, 30 June - 3 July 2013.

Beyond science and engineering: Tackling socio-environmental issues in the resources industry

2012

Journal Article

Comparing water options for irrigation farmers using Modern Portfolio Theory

Gaydon, D. S., Meinke, H., Rodriguez, D. and McGrath, D. J. (2012). Comparing water options for irrigation farmers using Modern Portfolio Theory. Agricultural Water Management, 115, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2012.08.007

Comparing water options for irrigation farmers using Modern Portfolio Theory

2012

Journal Article

The best farm-level irrigation strategy changes seasonally with fluctuating water availability

Gaydon, D. S., Meinke, H. and Rodriguez, D. (2012). The best farm-level irrigation strategy changes seasonally with fluctuating water availability. Agricultural Water Management, 103, 33-42. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2011.10.015

The best farm-level irrigation strategy changes seasonally with fluctuating water availability

2011

Journal Article

The intrinsic plasticity of farm businesses and their resilience to change. An Australian example

Rodriguez, D., deVoil, P., Power, B., Cox, H., Crimp, S. and Meinke, H. (2011). The intrinsic plasticity of farm businesses and their resilience to change. An Australian example. Field Crops Research, 124 (2), 157-170. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2011.02.012

The intrinsic plasticity of farm businesses and their resilience to change. An Australian example

2011

Journal Article

A multi-field bio-economic model of irrigated grain–cotton farming systems

Power, B., Rodriguez, D., deVoil, P., Harris, G. and Payero, J. (2011). A multi-field bio-economic model of irrigated grain–cotton farming systems. Field Crops Research, 124 (2), 171-179. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2011.03.018

A multi-field bio-economic model of irrigated grain–cotton farming systems

2011

Journal Article

Opportunities from integrative approaches in farming systems design

Rodriguez, D. and Sadras, V.O. (2011). Opportunities from integrative approaches in farming systems design. Field Crops Research, 124 (2), 137-141. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2011.05.022

Opportunities from integrative approaches in farming systems design

2011

Other Outputs

CO2 is food for plants! What will higher emissions mean for crop productivity?

Rodriguez, D. (2011, 11 03). CO2 is food for plants! What will higher emissions mean for crop productivity? The Conversation

CO2 is food for plants! What will higher emissions mean for crop productivity?

2011

Conference Publication

Modelling adaptation options for a Western Queensland mixed grain and graze farm – evaluating enterprise options under climate change

Cox, H., Rodriguez, D., deVoil, P. and Power, B. (2011). Modelling adaptation options for a Western Queensland mixed grain and graze farm – evaluating enterprise options under climate change. 5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture and Farming Systems Design, Brisbane, Australia, 26-29 September 2011. Canberra, Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Modelling adaptation options for a Western Queensland mixed grain and graze farm – evaluating enterprise options under climate change

2011

Conference Publication

Breeding better maize germplasm for drier and hotter production environments

Fekybelu, S., Zeppa, A., Chauhan, Y. and Rodriguez, D. (2011). Breeding better maize germplasm for drier and hotter production environments. 5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture and Farming Systems Design, Brisbane, Australia, 26-29 September 2011. Canberra, Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Breeding better maize germplasm for drier and hotter production environments

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Pathways to Net Zero in Australian and Chinese Agriculture
    National Foundation for Australia-China Relations Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Root structure and function traits: Overcoming the root phenotyping bottleneck in cereals
    PROC-9176895 Phenomics methods and tools to enable improved resource capture efficiency in grain crops
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    North Queensland cotton-grains-cattle farming systems
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Frost and Heat Management Analytics (GRDC Grant administered by CSIRO)
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Matching pulse crop designs to site and expected seasonal conditions to maximise yield and profit: a crop ecophysiology approach (GRDC project administered by CSIRO).
    CSIRO
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Assessing the suitability of Pongamia trees for bioenergy and food
    Stanmore Resources Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Developing methodologies for crop and farm level alignment with Australian Sustainability Frameworks
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    A proof of concept for the proximal 3D sensing of plant available water capacity
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Scoping synergies between mining and agriculture
    Sojitz Green Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    De-risking broad acre cropping options for Northern Queensland
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Optimising farm scale returns from irrigated grains: maximising dollar return per megalitre of water (GRDC project led by University of Tasmania)
    University of Tasmania
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    The adaption of pulses (Chickpea and lentil) across the northern grains region (GRDC funded project led by CSIRO)
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Optimising sorghum yield through agronomic management
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2018
    SIMLESA agronomy trial data exploration/analysis
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    The inside edge to master Queensland‿s drought-prone climate or graziers and croppers
    Queensland Government Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Northern Farming Systems - integrating research solutions for profitable outcomes (GRDC grant administered by CSIRO)
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Prolific maize genotypes for more sustainable, risk adverse and profitable low input farming systems
    International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    High yielding cereal agronomy in the northern grains region
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    Tactical crop agronomy for sorghum and maize in the northern region
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Reviving soil health using summer legumes as green manure or grain crops
    Conservation Farmers Inc
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    Sustainable intensification of maize-legume cropping systems for food security in Eastern and Southern Africa - Phase II (SIMLESA-2)
    International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Africa Food Security Initiative - whole farm modelling collaboration
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Piloting a mobile phone system for the delivery of information to farmers and agribusinesses to support the sustainable intensification of maize and legume farming systems in Africa and Queensland
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Integrating crop and livestock production for improved food security and livelihoods in rural Zimbabwe (ZimLESA; ACIAR project led by ILRI)
    International Livestock Research Institute
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Sustainable intensification of maize-legume cropping system for food security in Eastern and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) - Ethiopian Extension
    International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Energy resources from the food bowl: an uneasy co-existence. Identifying and measuring cumulative impacts of mining and agriculture
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Developing climate change resilient cropping and mixed cropping/grazing businesses in Australia (DAFF project led by CSIRO novated from DEEDI)
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Sustainable intensification of maize-legume cropping systems for enhancing food security in eastern and southern Africa (SIMLESA; CIMMYT-led ACIAR Project novated from DEEDI)
    International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Daniel Rodriguez is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Optimising sorghum agronomy

    Background

    Australia’s climate has warmed by about 1.4 °C since 1910, leading to an increase in the frequency of extreme heat events and the frequency and intensity of water stresses. Climate trends and ongoing climate change provide clear focus on the need to increase crop adaptation to water and heat stresses.

    Here we propose that early sowing of sorghum could increase sowing opportunities and simultaneously avoid heat and water stress at flowering in some cropping systems and locations.

    Previous research identified that early sown sorghum crops show high yield potentials with increased downside risk due to (i) poorly emerged crops when sown in cold soils, (ii) the likelihood of frost damage, and (iii) stunted growth due to lower than optimum air temperatures. However, there is no clear information on the benefits and trade-offs of the practice. Particularly there is limited information on low temperature thresholds for frost damage, cold temperature impacts on crop establishment, growth and development, water use dynamics, water use efficiency, yield potential and yield components, and the effects on subsequent crops in the cropping system for winter sown sorghum agronomic packages.

  • Matching adapted pulse genotypes with soil and climate to maximise yield and profit, with manageable risk in Australian cropping systems

    Pulses can increase profits, diversify income and increase sustainability. Megatrends in global food markets favour consumption of plant-based protein. However, significant productivity gaps remain, driven by lack of understanding of pulse physiology and agronomy. This project focuses on chickpea in Queensland, and will deliver location, soil and season-specific management options that optimise production to better enable growers to (i) attain water limited yield potential, (ii) increase profitability and (iii) reduce risk.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Designing Farming Systems with Whole Farm Models

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Hamish McGowan, Dr Dongxue Zhao

  • Doctor Philosophy

    De-risking the Diversification of Northern Queensland¿s Farming Systems

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adam Komarek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving the reliability and profitability of sorghum in north west NSW

    Principal Advisor

  • Master Philosophy

    Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench) Germination in Cold and Drying Soil

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Yash Dang, Dr Joe Eyre

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Digital technologies to Increase the Sustainability of African Livestock systems under climate risks

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adam Komarek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Drought tolerance in sorghum: the roots of the solution

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dongxue Zhao

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Overcoming the root phenotyping bottleneck in cereals

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Alison Kelly, Professor David Jordan, Dr Dongxue Zhao

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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