Innovation in Agriculture
Innovation in Agriculture is published monthly by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI). This newsletter provides the latest industry news, research outcomes and events on the horizon.
Past editions of Innovation in Ag
Innovation in Ag 2025 editions and stories
June 2025 edition
Pioneer varieties for legume for Australian farms
QAAFI's new Centre Director in Horticultural Science
Reawakening ancient grains
Tail hair the key to predicting performance in cattle
Building the capacity of farmers to create sustainable and vibrant farming landscapes
How to recentre the 'farming' in vertical farming
Sorghum in scope: high protein, gene editing and nitrogen dynamics
TropAg symposia program taking shape
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May 2025 edition
Tackling a mystery that's killing blueberries in the field
Egg injection leads to healthier chicks
Global partnership on wheat adaptation
Researchers to take healthy oats beyond breakfast
QAAFI's new Centre Director in Animal Science
TropAg program taking shape
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April 2025 edition
Potent brain potential in Queen Garnet plum
Ending hunger, sustaining the planet: the path to universal food security
Building soil carbon with beneficial microbes
Organic food isn't pesticide-free - or better for the planet
Texture toolkit is a recipe for food success
UQ architecture research reveals how urban families could grow produce in apartments
Future foods using ancient techniques: Fermentation, sensory and beyond
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March 2025 edition
Sites needed to trial tactics for troublesome weed
Igniting the future in agriculture
Translating tissue culture in avocado cultivars
Genetic and genomic approaches to vigour management in macadamia
TropAg 2025 registrations open
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February 2025 edition
Agriskills Accelerator given green light
New varieties of valuable medicinal plant bred at UQ
Slowing food spoilage without chemicals
TropAg to address global challenges for food and agriculture
Biomedicine shows the way to future food crops
Agriskills Accelerator given green light
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Innovation in Ag 2024 editions and stories
December 2024 edition
A hard nut to crack: Future-proofing Australia's macadamia industry
A chemical-free way to control flystrike in sheep
Researchers target sorghum breeding to boost grain crops
Bringing new life to an ancient nut
Sugarcane genetics more complex than human
High-tech spray prevents and cures rusty plant threat
Ticking the boxes to defeat a deadly parasite
A fruitful partnership to boost bushfood
Next-generation plant and animal breeding boosted by $13M training fund
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November 2024 edition
Mitigating heat stress in heifers to prevent stock losses
Starting change young is the key to sustainable eating
Collaboration key to ultimate genotypes in plants and livestock
Next-generation plant and animal breeding boosted by $13M training fund
Recent advances in technologies and applications of genomics in plants
Analysis of opportunities and challenges regarding genetic improvement in emerging Australian agricultural Industries
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October 2024 edition
Researchers target sorghum breeding to boost grain crops
A fruitful partnership to boost bushfood
Alliance offers fertile ground for bio-based agricultural chemicals
Nutting out new threats to macadamia crop
Holy guacamole: tissue culture technology to hit Latin America
A life in science: from Rht genes in wheat to PIN genes in sorghum
Three weeks to nourish the chicken embryo
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September 2024 edition
Science proves traditional knowledge on the health benefits of Kakadu plum
Shedding light on the potential of vertical farming
Legumes a key to reducing nitrogen losses from agriculture
Growing talent to feed the world: a new ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding
Borderless innovation: the changing face of horticulture
The application of particle engineering in food products
CIMMYT Director General visit to UQ: Strengthening global partnership for food and nutrition security and sustainability
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August 2024 edition
Brewing a home-grown coffee variety
The sky is the limit for QAAFI's "Flying Scientists"
$41 million to spur development of new fruit and nut varieties
Collaboration on carbon sequestration in soil
Fertiliser nitrogen in a net zero world - perspectives from broadacre cropping industries
The application of particle engineering in food products
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July 2024 edition
A tough nut to crack: Future-proofing Australia's macadamia industry
A chemical-free way to control flystrike in sheep
The road to food security through better plant disease management
The heat is on: fast-tracking high temperature tolerant chickpea varieties
Optimising and industrialising black soldier fly larvae production
ABC Landline: new opportunities for Australian cotton
How uniquely Australian foods could help us diversify our diet
UQ and ILRI join forces to deliver sustainable, climate resilient livestock systems
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June 2024 edition
Ticking the boxes to defeat a deadly parasite
Boosting grain size in sorghum by increasing the grain filling duration
Native Grow: First Nations entrepreneur program
New initiative to tackle urgent need to transform Australia’s food systems
Science seminar: A tough nut to crack: Insights from the National Macadamia Breeding Program
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May 2024 edition
Calf Alive: better diet boosting health outcomes in northern beef cattle herds
Australia leads the charge with an ultrasonic cold brew coffee in mere minutes
Genes, germs, greenhouse gases and gastronomy
Fighting back against Fall armyworm: ABC Landline
Roots for drought: overcoming the root phenotyping bottleneck in cereals
Invitation to the launch of Food System Horizons
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April 2024 edition
Bringing new life to an ancient nut
Kakadu plum meat preservation
Best of both worlds: translating research to industry
Industry fellowships for QAAFI researchers
From the outback to the Olympics: how native food is changing how we eat and buy
Harnessing dsRNA for myrtle rust control and biological insight
Only 30 tickets remain for the UQ seminar at Beef2024
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March 2024 edition
Can mRNA vaccines help boost livestock production?
A holistic approach is key to improving drought adaptation in crops
Sugarcane genetics are more complex than human
Genetic ancestor could solve the problems affecting the world's bananas
Lumpy skin disease is a threat that could decimate our cattle industry
Leading a new chapter in international cooperation on wild rice
The continuing evolution of agriculture and food science: Seminar
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Innovation in Ag 2023 editions and stories
December 2023 edition
Net zero emissions from Australian agriculture: a challenge and an opportunity.
Deep freeze: preserving native plants at risk of extinction
Giving farmers certainty to tackle a crop-eating pest
Indigenous communities taking the lead in bushfood industry
Turning big data into better breeds and varieties: Can AI help feed the planet?
Artificial intelligence in aquaculture - a test case in barramundi breeding
Passion project revitalising flagging fruit industry
Research to improve yield stability of "money beans"
Cattle selection for nitrogen use efficiency
High steaks - creating a point of difference for Australian beef
November 2023 edition
A new approach to understanding Aboriginal foodways
Beefing up cattle supplements
Sleeves up as science tackles citrus virus
Ensuring best practice in the buffalo supply chain
Kakadu plum bioactivity against spoilage microorganisms in refrigerated raw beef patties
Remote sensing applications for Australian cropping systems
October 2023 edition
Indigenous communities taking the lead in bushfood industry
Diversifying the diet with wild Australian millet
Deep freeze: preserving native plants at risk of extinction
The role of Phytase emzyme in Monogastric nutrition
Identifying promising biomarkers of experiential state in sheep
Generating a large-scale mutant library providing new sources of genetic variation in sorghum
“What a great internship, a stepping stone in my career”
September 2023 edition
Genomic selection offers sweet success for cane farmers
Harnessing RNA mobility for effective plant protection
Second day added to Gatton Smart Farm AgTech Showcase
No boundary: From Brisbane to Perth to Broome and Darwin
Glycogenin in dispensible in mice liver glycogen synthesis
‘Omics analysis in the world’s oldest beverage
Calf Alive research update
August 2023 edition
Turning big data into better breeds and varieties: Can AI help feed the planet?
High steaks - creating a point of difference for Australian beef
Realising a vision for a sustainable agri-food system
Going with the grain: growing partnerships with Indonesia
Food and beverage accelerator offers $20 million to boost innovation
Retracing 'food' steps: exploring native legumes for novel food applications
July 2023 edition
Passion project revitalising flagging fruit industry
Artificial intelligence in aquaculture - a test case in barramundi breeding
UQ to strengthen industry-ready workforce with ARC funding
Promising trial results show potential of asparagopsis
UQ and Japan partner to grow global food security and fuel sustainability
Recognition for four outstanding QAAFI researchers
A student quinella at the Global Sorghum Conference in France
June 2023 edition
Cooking up a future for Australian yams
Understanding the genetics of mungbean canopy dynamics using longitudinal UAV data
Weeds and agriculture threaten wild rice cultivation
Empowering Indigenous communities to improve their health through nutrition
RNAi for crop protection again viruses and insects
May 2023 edition
First Nations PhD leads the way on native fungi
Blazing the trail for food and beverage manufacturing in Australia
Australian fruit holds the key to citrus disease resistance
Chicken meat research consortium to level up Australia's favourite meat
Research to improve yield stability of "money beans"
What's the latest on GMOs and gene-edited foods?
Early career researchers awarded $3.4 million
April 2023 edition
Cattle selection for nitrogen use efficiency
In the pink: lighting the way for the future of STEM
Giving farmers certainty to tackle a crop eating pest
Attention plant killers: new research shows your plants could be silently screaming at you
Pachyderm perfume: How African elephants use odour to communicate
March 2023 edition
Problem weed evolves to grow in Queensland's summer
Towards a sustainable future: QAAFI researcher wins scholarship
Bees abuzz for biosecurity in avocado orchards
Taking the first steps to produce a smart sugar from sugarcane by stingless bees
QAAFI researcher awarded Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship
Murri school visits Ekhorn for a taste of bushfoods and science
UQ-IITD PhD candidate presents renewable energy research to the Australian Prime Minister
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February 2023 edition
Preventing costly cattle disease to boost fertility rates
Salty and sustainable - an Indigenous food with business potential
Scientists crack one of broadacre cropping's most sought genetic secrets
What's next for Australia's macadamia industry as farmgate prices crack under global glut?
Speeding up sugar's conversion into fuel
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January 2023 edition
Scientists tackle rusty plant threat
Bringing the data of DNA closer to the paddock in the beef industry
The quest to mitigate heat stress in the pork industry
International coup for collaboration on grain crops
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Innovation in Ag 2022 editions and stories
December 2022 edition
Game-changing spray to revolutionise pest control
UQ research to cut methane emissions across Australia's cattle industry
Sorghum mutants breed crop innovation security
Sweetening the deal without the sugar
UQ vaccine research targets lumpy skin disease
Serious risk of extinction - macadamias prove a tough nut to crack
Protected cropping - planning for the future
Harnessing light to hack a breeding bottleneck for winter cereal crops
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November 2022 edition
I Hass to have you - researchers unpick the perfect avocado
UQ research to cut methane emissions across Australia's cattle industry
Sweetening the deal without the sugar
Is photosynthesis the silver bullet to improve crop yield?
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October 2022 edition
Looking to the past to save the future, the origins of agriculture.
Biotechnology to reduce methane emissions from cattle
Tree traits to boost macadamia production
Male Jojoba plants live shirt lives, while the females endure
UQ vaccine research targets lumpy skin disease
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September 2022 edition
Is coffee going extinct? Here's how it could impact you
Strawberry fields of flavour
Tapping into roots to develop sustainable wheat
Common misconceptions about livestock production systems
Technologies developed to beat coronavirus could work on farm use
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August 2022 edition
TropAg delegates working to feed the world
The insects revolutionising food security
A battle is won in the fight against food scarcity
You belong here: marking Honours week at QAAFI
Harnessing light to hack a breeding bottleneck for winter cereal crops
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July 2022 edition
Native bunya nuts close to home for Brazilian researcher
Here's what you need to know about the FMD threat
Adapting Australian wheat to changing environments
Integrated disease management of black core rot in citrus
TropAg conference plenary speakers confirmed
Nominations are open to showcase our agricultural leaders
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June 2022 edition
Fresh hope for new flystrike control method
Rare macadamia species at risk of extinction
Winter wheat outlook
New platform shortens elite beef cattle lines' breeding time
Superworms capable of munching through plastic waste
May 2022 edition
UQ secures trailblazing commercial research funding
Game-changing spray to revolutionise pest control
Largest goat research investment to be led by UQ and industry
Tasting the future of food with next gen plant breeding
TropAg conference registration open
April 2022 edition
The garlic puzzle
Sorghum mutants breed crop innovation for food security
Dr Lida Omaleki, Runner Up of the AgriFutures Research Awards
Unveiled – mosaics 125 years in the making
QAAFI in 2021
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March 2021 edition
Getting to the root of pineapple crop losses
Mungbean makeover on the menu
Meat the food fraud detectives
Selecting for cows that pay their way
February 2022 edition
Innovation in Ag 2021 editions and stories
November 2021 edition
Most viewed stories of 2021
Orange Capsicums on the menu for long-term eye health
hotter, drier, CRISPR: editing for climate change
'Digital twin' concept boosts food production
Value-added foods – leveraging Australian attributes
Queensland science makes the avocado production bottleneck toast
A trip into the therapeutic potential of Australia's native magic mushrooms
Animal Science highlights
Crop Science highlights
hotter, drier, CRISPR: editing for climate change
Critically endangered macadamia species becomes a plant supermodel
Horticultural Science highlights
Food and Nutrition Science highlights
October 2021 edition
DNA fingerprinting the ‘food of gods’
Improving calf survival for the north Australian beef industry
Jojoba’s surprising sex secrets revealed
Beefing up plant protein burgers
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September 2021 edition
Food systems and the bioeconomy: Revitalising agriculture for the 21st century
Grain size discovery boosts sorghum potential
Race to save a remarkable native tree
Dietary fibre and plant food health benefits
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August 2021 edition
How magic are Australia’s native magic mushrooms?
World’s first sorghum pan-genome developed
More buzz about stingless bee honey
Cattle fertility focus drives profits and productivity
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July 2021 edition
Digital twins for mango and macadamia orchards
Portable chemistry kit sweetens native bush fruit production
Getting to the root of profitable barley production
Tackling cattle ticks through DNA
June 2021 edition
Technology solves avocado bottleneck
Sorghum superstar wins Research Excellence Award
Shape-changing bacteria evade fowl cholera vaccines
Getting the right goat genetics
Digital signature technology authenticates food
New tools for drought tolerant wheat
May 2021 edition
Pectin, another reason to love mangoes
The world’s favourite fruit needs a genetic boost
Plant breeding and tomorrow's food
Genomics drives discovery of low-emission sheep
Weed biology provides control pointers
April 2021 edition
Precision beef seminar at Beef 2021
The optimum cattle management system
Wagyu beef passes the taste test of science
Research revealing how to select cattle for low-quality pastures
Combating pimelea toxicity
Cracking the code for a cattle tick vaccine
Australians come together to improve animal welfare
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March 2021 edition
A safe, sustainable future for agriculture
Essential oils may help gut health of new-age chicks
A genetic solution to ensure sorghum stands firm
Precision beef seminar at Beef 2021
Women Finding Success podcast: Professor Neena Mitter
National food waste research centre appoints global leader
Industry excited by new Agtech and Logistics Hub
February 2021 edition
Hotter, drier, CRISPR: editing for climate change
Indigenous heritage and biodiversity expert to help lead Australia’s bush foods industry
Mungbeans unmasked
Critically endangered macadamia species becomes a plant supermodel
Talented young meat and livestock scientists show vision, passion for the industry
Designer root systems to maintain durum wheat yields in drought
January 2021 edition
Cracking a tough nut for macadamia growers
Improving farm animal welfare - what's it worth?
Fusarium Wilt of Banana, a Recurring Threat to Global Banana Production
Combining genomic and metagenomic predictions increases accuracy
Orange Capsicums on the menu for long-term eye health
One week behind the scenes of PhycoHealth
Pain relief more common practice
Innovation in Ag 2020 editions and stories
November 2020 edition
Most viewed stories of 2020
Post-pandemic brave new world of agriculture
Plum pickings: ancient fruit ripe for modern plates
Rewiring plant reproduction for higher seed yields
Putting a future avocado apocalypse on ice
Wagyu beef passes the taste test of science
Costly pig lung disease puzzle solved
Animal Science highlights
Crop Science highlights
Science helps farms adapt to drought
Queensland research makes breakthrough in boosting sorghum protein content
Horticultural Science highlights
Macadamia tree shaking replaces fungicides in eliminating spread of costly nut disease
Avocado research trial targets high yields
Food and Nutrition Science highlights
Creating a science-based provenance for Australian food
New research finds Australian pork flavour signature
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October 2020 edition
QAAFI Director appointed
‘Can do’ science creates an agricultural research powerhouse
Future food and the art of plant mechanics
Waiter there’s a (black soldier) fly in my soup
Queensland Science making a difference
Buffalo fly faces Dengue nemesis
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September 2020 edition
Putting a future avocado apocalypse on ice
Secret of plant dietary fibre structure revealed
Blueprint to more productive cattle herds
Purple sweet corn - naturally nutritious
Potential to expand horticultural industries in Northern Australia
Understanding the physiological responses of pulses to abiotic stress
Designer roots for Australian wheat
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August 2020 edition
Post-pandemic brave new world of agriculture
Wagyu beef passes the taste test of science
Genetic link between cattle temperament and autism
Macadamia tree shaking replaces fungicides in eliminating spread of costly nut disease
COVID-19 positive Australians urged to participate in study
Women in Science podcast
Sorghum for 2050
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July 2020 edition
Science sweetens native honey health claims
Ticked Off: Cracking the code for a cattle tick vaccine
Creating a science-based provenance for Australian food
Improving avocado fruit quality: evaluation of post-harvest treatments
Understanding weed competitive traits in barley
With steak and chips, you still need science
QAAFI seeks a Director
June 2020 edition
Rewiring plant reproduction for higher seed yields
Orange capsicums on the menu for long-term eye health
Preventing a viral banana pandemic
Good feed, good milk, good calving: research hones in on cow fertility
How to make antimicrobials in pig feed redundant, naturally
InterDrought VI Congress proceedings now online
QAAFI Annual Report online
May 2020 edition
Plum Pickings: Ancient fruit ripe for modern plates
Computer simulations boost efforts to manage wheat quality risks
Banana disease research in Costa Rica strengthens Australia’s biosecurity
Opinion: There's life at uni in lockdown
Combating Pimelea toxicity
Kakadu plum value chain
Influence of nutrition on milk delivery to new-born calves
April 2020 edition
Costly pig lung disease puzzle solved
Science helps farms adapt to drought
Broadacre cropping in northern Queensland
Gene editing opens faster, cheaper way to introduce new crop traits
Potential exotic virus threats to lucerne seed production in Australia
Disease management lifts macadamia industry confidence
March 2020 edition
Queensland research makes breakthrough in boosting sorghum protein content
New research finds Australian pork flavour signature
Genetic remix may deliver new all-climate wheat
Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Exploring the genetic options
Nutritional strategies to support productive farming systems
QAAFI's flavour chemist and sensory scientist discusses her research
UQ Australia’s top performer in agriculture and environmental science
February 2020 edition
Avocado research trial targets high yields
Avocado industry information day
Juggling travel, work and a newborn
Consider soil water storage before sowing a grain sorghum crop
Modern crop breeding for future food security
The hunt for bushfoods in the Kimberley region
QAAFI researchers nominated for Queensland women in STEM prize
January 2020 edition
Research revealing how to select cattle for low-quality pastures
Integrated weed management program for pigeonpea preserving yield
TropAg draws global crowd
The Animal Welfare Collaborative launched
Opinion: People say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
Our Indigenous foods' global mission
Discovering bush foods in East Arnhem Land
Innovation in Ag 2019 editions and stories
November 2019 edition
International Tropical Agriculture Conference
Shaping Australia’s food identity
A sensory experience of Australian flavour
Prof Neena Mitter honoured with fellowship with Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE)
Shannon Landmark visits New Zealand as part of Zander McDonald program
$35 million for a new research centre to grow Australian agriculture
What would we eat without irrigation?
Biological reality and parsimony in crop models
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October 2020 edition
TropAg Conference - special edition
TropAg Media and News
Keynote Speakers
View Program
View the TROPAG showcase!
Full and day registrations
TropAg partners and sponsors
September 2019 edition
Reverse vaccinology to protect cattle against ticks
Australian native foods and provenance of Australian-grown foods under the research spotlight
QAAFI researchers shine in UQ’s annual Research Week Awards
Keeping the crunch in low-fat potato chips
Managing annual ryegrass in chickpea crops
Biological fix for nitrogen fertiliser run-off trialled in Far North Queensland
Money Tree: Feeding Australia's avocado obsession
TropAg 2019 is less than 50 days away.
August 2019 edition
High-tech sustainable protection for key Australian crops
Beefing up against cattle disease
Scientists serve up a nutrition revolution
QAAFI's Dr Rob Dixon wins NABRC medal
Australia's number one summer grain needs a champion
Researchers dish up digital avocado
Maize Research Highlights Yield Increase Potential
Qld genetics researchers aim to help ease selection decisions
Early bird registration for TropAg 2019 close on Friday 30 August
TropAg speakers discuss the UN Report on climate change and food security
July 2019 edition
Gut friendly bush tucker takes off in Darwin
Thirty years of achievement for QAAFI’s sorghum superstar
Developing new tick management tools
Early sorghum widens window of opportunity
National wheat yield prospects poor says researchers
Could Tissue Culture Meet Avocado Plant Demand?
Understanding household diversity in rural eastern and southern Africa
View QAAFI's Annual Report for 2018
TropAg 2019 - International Tropical Agriculture Conference
Growing Queensland’s agribusiness: Survey
View the latest Queensland AgTrends
June 2019 edition
Speeding breeding and other ways of feeding 10 billion people
Cattle sires of the tropical north reveal their genetic secrets
Moving policy forward for nanotechnology
Wheat myth comes a cropper
Native Foods: Gulkula is a growing success
Research quantifies effects of increased temperatures on Australian wheat yields
Shorthorn breed on show for world congress
‘Speed breeder’ sprints to an award
May 2019 edition
Big genomics data milked to feed the future
Climate change risk to beer production
Gympie identified as birthplace of global macadamia industry
On-farm impacts of sorghum RD&E spanning 20 years surface from economic analysis
Australians come together to improve animal welfare
Climate and agricultural innovation on the menu at TropAg 2019
Northern genomics project coordinator wins Zanda Award
Gene editing for fun and profit: It's a knockout!
April 2019 edition
Genomics expert to lead animal science research at QAAFI
Would you like maggots with that?
Eggcellent news for egg farmers - Protecting against fowl cholera
Just how much does enhancing photosynthesis improve crop yield?
New breeding technology draws on genomics, paddock realities and computer power
Bloody Bananas: Banana blood disease targeted by Australian and Indonesian researchers
Exploring agriculture in Africa - An Ethiopian Road Trip: Camels, Coffee, Monkeys and Sorghum
Registration is open for TropAg 2019
March 2019 edition
February 2019 edition
Digital agriculture
Scientists urged to fight GMO fake news
Genomics for optimising livestock farming
Northern Australia to investigate feasibility of growing wild rice
Keeping smut off Australia’s sporting fields
Genes found for increased flour yield
Re-inventing plants for future agriculture
QAAFI's Dr Lee Hickey on why the world needs faster food
Join us at TropAg2019
January 2019 edition
Climate threat to coffee production
UQ’s Sorghum research heats up!
Funding boost for pig welfare
Crawford funds tan spot in wheat research at CIMMYT in Mexico
Wheat genes discovered that may enable more flour from grain
The bitter truth: Role of bitter-sensing cells in the mouth and gut
Dr Joe Eyre and Trevor Philp talk tactical sorghum agronomy
