Katherine Research Farm leader Neil MacDonald is retiring at the end of the month.
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Mr MacDonald has been a stalwart of the DPIR's Livestock Industry Branch over the past three decades.
He was initially employed as a research scientist and since 2007 has been the director of Livestock Industries Branch and the regional director of the Katherine/Nhulunbuy region.
"Neil has applied his scientific intellect and quiet management style to all activities of the DPIR and the broader NT Government regional role," a department spokeswoman said.
"His personable nature and generosity has always provided a welcoming face to the Katherine Research Station."
Mr MacDonald represented the department at Territory and national level on various committees and boards, speaking up and 'holding his own' both in livestock and rangeland circles.
"Due to his no-nonsense and common sense approach, he and the department are held in high regard by many throughout northern Australia."
Before taking on more senior positions within the department, Mr MacDonald completed research into a number of topics, including hormone growth promotants, and mineral deficiencies and toxicities (such as phosphorus and fluoride).
However, he was particularly active in conducting research in the interplay between livestock productivity and stocking rate.
He was one of the leading researchers in the Mt Sanford study, which ran for 12 years, and collaborated on its successor, the Pigeon Hole experiment.
Mr MacDonald has plans to move to Brisbane to be closer to family.
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