Nicknamed Dr Dirt by his colleagues, Roberts is a soil scientist and Ravensdown’s chief scientific officer.
“I’m deeply humbled to be recognised amongst my peers in this way for effectively doing something that I love and am passionate about.
“A lot of very worthy recipients have gone before me so I feel very honoured and pleased to be recognised,” says Dr Roberts.
New Zealand Grassland Trust chairman John Caradus said “Ants has developed though his working career an excellent profile that allows him to represent the grassland community effectively on issues related to fertiliser, soil and environment.”
With a career spanning four decades, Roberts had contributed to more than 65 scientific journals and conference papers, 70 scientific and extension papers, five book chapters, four extension booklets and eight educational videos.
“If I had to compress 40 years into one highlight I’d say the best part of my career has been meeting the farmers of NZ on their farms and seeing how and if I can help them,” Roberts said.
Roberts sees his role as translating the science of soil fertility into words and actions farmers could understand and use on farms, enabling smarter farming for a better NZ.
“Making soil fertility science as simple to understand and as effective as possible is where I have concentrated my efforts.
“If it is not done with the end user in mind then it renders less useful.
“The next frontier for me is to ensure that our pastoral farmers can continue to have a sustainable and economically successful business, producing high-quality food from our soils in a nutrient-limited world.”
