Damien Sommerville

Bachelor of Agriculture, Class of 1998–2000

Agronomy and farming is at the heart of Damien and his family's lives. This year will mark 10 years that Damein has been at home working on the farm. "I have been farming at Spalding and Burra with my parents, brother and my wife. We grow wheat, barley, canola, oats and are currently trialing chickpeas. Alongside our farm we run a contract spraying operation servicing clients throughout the Mid North. I love the challenge of trying to implement the most profitable farming rotations and systems in an ever-changing climate and financial markets."

Damien's first full-time job after completing his degree at Roseworthy was as an Agronomist with IAMA in Murray Bridge. "This was a great grounding for working in agriculture in SA. I was exposed to high value irrigated horticultural crops, dairies, glass houses and Mallee dry land farming. I can't imagine a more diverse location to start out my career. I was fortunate to have a great team working with me to pass on to me their vast wealth of skills."

After a couple of years there (and a business merger) Damien won a role as an agronomist at Bute on the Yorke Peninsula, then he went on to work at Elders in Burra as both their Agronomist and Merchandise manager.

Damien is chair of the Hart Field Site Group. This position helps to keep Damien's finger on the pulse of industry developments and gives him the opportunity to give back to the industry that he is incredibly proud to be part of.

What is Damien's fondest memory while he was studying at Roseworthy?
"Some of my fondest memories of my time at Roseworthy are of helping more than one mate out of sticky situations. I had one of the few 4wd Utes on campus which was often needed for rescue missions as the more powerful Utes had to be towed off the back roads after getting a bit stuck in the mud! The best part about Roseworthy was, and still is, the mates that were made during those Uni years."