Professor Jim Cox

Professor Jim Cox is the Research Director of Livestock Sciences, leading the South Australian Research and Development Institute (PIRSA-SARDI) livestock and pasture research.

Jim completed his BSc (Hons) degree from Flinders University in 1983 and his Ph.D. from the University of Western Australia in 1987. He then did a short postdoc in the USA. Jim spent the largest part of his research career at CSIRO at the Waite Institute where he managed many large national and international research programs throughout both Europe and Asia. Jim has developed and run national and international teaching programs and supervised many postgraduate (Hons, Masters and Ph.D.) students. In 2006 he was awarded the University of Helsinki (Finland) Medal for contribution to science and teaching in Europe. Jim has published his research extensively, having 62 book chapters and international journal papers, 92 conference proceedings, and 105 industry reports.

Jim has been in PIRSA-SARDI for the past 14 years, initially managing the Irrigated Crops research group. He subsequently became acting Research Director Crop Sciences, then acting Research Director Food Sciences, and for the past 18 months Research Director Livestock Sciences.

Jim ensures PIRSA-SARDI scientists do the vital research underpinning the South Australian Sheep Industry Blueprint 2030. This research is needed to support the productivity and growth of an industry that makes a crucial contribution to South Australia’s economy with premium products exported across the world. PIRSA-SARDI scientists offer the sheep industry solutions to productivity gains through increased reproduction rates and lamb survival and improved flock genetics under South Australia’s changing climate. New feed-based pastures are being developed that cope with hotter and drier conditions and assist in meeting the livestock industries carbon neutral targets.

When Jim is not managing the Livestock and Pasture research at SARDI he is on his farm in the beautiful Inman Valley.