Raymond Allen Hare PSM (born 6 October 1946) is an Australian wheat scientist mainly working to develop Durum (pasta) wheat varieties. He is "an award-winning scientist and is regarded as one of the best durum breeders in the world".[1]
Hare was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 6 October 1946. He attended Normanhurst Public School and Normanhurst Boys' High School and subsequently joined CSR as a trainee chemist at Pyrmont. After completing a chemistry certificate course at the Sydney Technical College (now known as TAFE New South Wales Sydney Institute) and a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from University of Sydney, he began his PhD, "Genetic Analysis of Persistent Adult-Plant Resistences to Wheat Rust", with support from the Farrer Memorial Research Scholarship.[2]
In 1976 he began as a wheat breeder with the New South Wales Department of Agriculture (now NSW Department of Primary Industries), helping grow durum wheat exports from around 8000 tonnes in the mid-1970s to more than 800,000 tonnes, approximately aud$100 million.[3] [4] In addition to developing Australia's durum industry, Hare made significant contributes to durum wheat research,[5] [6] including developing Kamilaroi, Yallaroi, Wollaroi and EGA Bellaroi varieties.[7] [8] [9] [10]
Hare was recognised in the 2000 Birthday Honours list, receiving the Public Service Medal "[f]or outstanding public service in the Department of Agriculture, particularly to the Durum (Pasta) wheat programme".[11] A year later, Hare was awarded the Farrer Memorial Medal, delivering his Farrer Oration, entitled "Durum Wheat in Australia – Past, Present and Future".[12]
In 2003, Hare's hearing was found to have deteriorated to the profound range in both ears.[13] Over a period of nine months, he received bilateral cochlear implants and his hearing stabilised.[13] He retired in 2008, after 32 years of services as the Australian National Durum Wheat Improvement principle research scientist.
A 2018 media profile of Hare suggests he has contributed to an estimated 70 billion meals around the world.[14] He is currently a plant breeding consultant and an advisory board member at University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute.[15] [16]