Dr Zelin Li

* Led and managed R&D and technical projects across forage quality assessment, digital grading, NIR analysis, Balco Index pricing models, hay/straw utilisation, and agricultural innovation initiatives. * Managed farm-related operations including crop establishment planning, input requirements, contractor coordination, paddock activity tracking, hay/straw procurement, stock management, and operational follow-up. * Prepared and reviewed farm budgets, including seed, fertiliser, chemical, contractor services, fuel, machinery, labour, yield assumptions, and production cost estimates. * Analysed farm-level cost structures, input efficiency, expected yield, gross margin assumptions, production risks, and return on investment to support management decision-making. * Oversaw the practical implementation of R&D initiatives, including trial planning, field coordination, data collection, progress monitoring, technical reporting, and stakeholder communication. * Drove the translation of research concepts into practical farming and commercial applications, including trial design, technical documentation, data interpretation, and feasibility analysis. * Coordinated cross-functional projects across farming, procurement, production, logistics, sales, finance, and R&D teams to support strategic and operational decision-making. * Analysed production performance, stock inventory, processing costs, budget variances, export feasibility, domestic pricing, hay/straw stock, and farm-level cost assumptions. * Prepared executive-level reports, technical summaries, management updates, meeting materials, and action plans for the Chairman and senior leadership team. * Managed communication between executive leadership, farm teams, operational staff, technical partners, external contractors, and industry stakeholders.

• Led research on dairy manure and agricultural wastewater treatment for nutrient retention and GHG mitigation in Australian systems. • Designed and executed lab and field trials on composting, effluent separation, and biodigester processes. • Conducted manure and soil analyses (N, C, pH, EC, VFA) using advanced analytical methods. • Monitored NH₃, CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions with Gasmet FTIR and field instruments. • Applied Python and Excel for data analysis, visualisation, and evidence-based reporting.

• Conducted weekly site visits for crop monitoring and pest/disease surveillance on Australia’s export fruit (2023–2024). • Supported research through accurate data entry, report preparation, and field assistance for a University of Melbourne PhD project. • Operated farm machinery, maintained orchards, and collected soil and plant samples with strong attention to safety and detail. • Trained new staff and two field officers in crop monitoring and record-keeping.

Managed a fruit treatment company (Logfresh), overseeing operations from admin, stock management, logistic to sales, gas composition (1-MCP) test, and client relationship management, driving the company's revenue growth from AUD 70,000 to over AUD 280,000.

Lely AMS Project • Collaborated on the Lely grazing-based AMS program to address research gaps in Australian automatic milking systems. • Collected and analysed pasture and animal data; authored reports presented at IDW and ADSS, contributing to a published paper. GVCA Shelterbelt Project • Investigated shelterbelt effects on pasture, soil microbiota, and animal performance. • Collected and analysed samples, liaised with farmers, and prepared reports leading to a published journal paper. • Managed lab inventory, materials, and equipment troubleshooting. Murray Dairy Fodder for Future Project • Assisted with plot setup, soil sampling, and field monitoring for cereal fodder trials. • Supported hay harvest, sample processing, and data management for research reporting.

Verify and measure the behaviors of dairy cow by using different automatic sensors, and develop the algorithm for detecting different grazing behaviors and motion behaviors.

· Ensured purity of pasture analysed through infrared spectroscopy scanning methods. · Stetted up data base by using both chemical and physiological method to analyse the content of pasture (Establishment of Infrared analysis database).