Dr Hamblin has made an outstanding contribution to Australian agriculture through his innovative leadership in field research, demonstration and extension on management systems for lupin growing.

This work, with Peter Nelson, was instrumental in lupins becoming the leading legume crop in southern Australia.

Combined with his following work on cereal management in rotation with lupins, it showed the way to a productive, sustainable rotation system which revolutionized light land agriculture in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia, and subsequently elsewhere.

Dr Hamblin is also recognized internationally for his contributions to plant breeding theory and methodology.