معرفی
Professor Jon Hickford is a distinguished academic at Lincoln University's Department of Agricultural Sciences, where he has served as a faculty member since January 9, 1989. His expertise lies at the intersection of livestock genetics, molecular biology, and agricultural science, with a particular focus on enhancing livestock production through genetic improvement.
His research interests span livestock genetics with emphasis on genes that underpin milk, meat and wool production, and make livestock resilient to disease and environmental challenges. Professor Hickford oversees the development of tests for A1 and A2 milk in dairy cattle, for polled genetics in all cattle, and for improved intra-muscular fat content in meat. He has delivered 11 commercial gene marker tests to market, being the first to make this livestock technology globally available in 1991.
His publication record demonstrates a strong focus on sheep genetics, particularly keratin and keratin-associated protein genes related to wool production. His research has led to practical applications including programs for the eradication of dermatosparaxis in white Dorper sheep, Microphthalmia in Texel sheep, and Gaucher disease in Australian Southdown sheep across Australia and New Zealand.
- Federated Farmers - NZ Primary Industries Award 2021 (Research and Science)
- Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science
- Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand
- Honorary Professor at Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou China (2012)
- Honorary Professor at Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (2016)
Professor Hickford has supervised numerous postgraduate students across a wide range of livestock genetics topics and has been actively involved in academic governance as Chair of the Lincoln University Professoriate (2018-2020) and as Examination Moderator for the Department of Agricultural Sciences. His teaching portfolio includes courses in Applied Genetics and Breeding, Dairy Production, Genetics, and Meat and Wool Production Science.
