Predictions of a looming skills shortage in agriculture are being met head-on with twelve new students starting three-year research doctorate courses this year with the innovative agricultural research group, the EH Graham Centre in Wagga Wagga. As a partnership between Charles Sturt University and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, postgraduate education is essential to train the next generation of scientists and researchers who will be ready to meet the research and development needs of Australian agriculture. Director of the EH Graham Centre, Professor Deirdre Lemerle, said, "The Centre’s research into mixed farming - in plant and animal sciences - aims to generate new knowledge to underpin the capacity of farmers to manage risk in a changing environment". The new group of students, who bring the total number of students studying at the EH Graham Centre to 36, are focused on research including animal and crop production, pastures, socio-economic issues relating to the adoption of new technologies, and the impact of agriculture on the environment.