News

The optimum cattle management system

Published on: 30 April 2021

The key drivers of beef productivity and profitability are being targeted by University of Queensland researchers to improve beef value and volume.
The best way to value-add on the management of cattle herds across Australian environments is being brought into sharp focus by integrated research across the supply chain.

Digging deep to boost barley

QAAFI’s Associate Professor Lee Hickey has teamed up with Integrain, Australia’s Australia’s leading barley breeding company in an ARC Linkage-funded project to provide innovative breeding solutions that harness the ‘hidden’ part of the plant, roots, to support the development of more productive crops in the face of climate variability.

Project leader Dr Marta Navarro-Gomez, University of Queensland.

New-age chicks for better gut health?

Published on: 31 March 2021

Can native Australian essential oils play a role in promoting the gut health of newly-hatched chicks? Researchers at UQ are investigating the benefits of essential oils for animal welfare, productivity and sustainability in the Australian poultry industry.

A genetic solution for sorghum lodging

Published on: 31 March 2021

After decades of study, UQ researchers have identified a genetic solution to the problem of sorghum lodging and falling down, which affects 10 per cent of sorghum crops each year. Prof David Jordan said lodging was when the stems of plants carrying high grain yields were weakened by loss of water.

Professor Matthew Morell from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation

A safe, sustainable future for agriculture

Published on: 29 March 2021

Agriculture has entered a new era where advanced, multidisciplinary sciences are harnessed to meet consumer demands for safe, ethically and sustainably produced foods, according to the incoming director of a key research institute.

Women Finding Success podcast: Professor Neena Mitter

Published on: 22 March 2021

In this episode of the Women Finding Success podcast, UQ's Professor Neena Mitter talks about her journey and career as a researcher from Delhi to Australia, her respect for food and agriculture, and the impact her research has on sustainable solutions for food supply and crop protection.

Food Leaders Australia facilitated the first Meet Up of the year for the Agtech and Logistics Hub, showcasing an exciting new space for the Agtech industry.

Industry excited by new Agtech and Logistics Hub

Published on: 22 March 2021

Food Leaders Australia facilitated the first Meet Up of the year for the Agtech and Logistics Hub, showcasing an exciting new space for the Agtech industry.
This was the first public viewing of the Agtech and Logistics Hub home at FKG's Witmack Precinct which will grow the agricultural value chain through the development of innovation and technology.

National food waste research centre appoints global leader

Published on: 15 March 2021

The Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Francesca Goodman-Smith to the role of Transform Program Leader to drive growth in transforming food waste into higher value products, effective 6 April 2021.

Dr Karen Massel, a biotechnologist from the University’s Centre for Crop Science.

Hotter, drier, CRISPR: editing for climate change

Published on: 26 February 2021

Gene editing technology will play a vital role in climate-proofing future crops to protect global food supplies, according to scientists at The University of Queensland.

Indigenous heritage and biodiversity expert to help lead Australia’s bush foods industry

Published on: 26 February 2021

Indigenous rights activist and expert in Indigenous intellectual and cultural property and heritage, Professor Henrietta Marrie AM has joined the ARC Uniquely Australian Foods (UAF) Training Centre, based at The University of Queensland.

Talented young meat and livestock scientists show vision, passion for the industry

Article by: Beef Central, by Jon Condon
The future of Australia’s meat and livestock research is in safe hands, if Beef Central’s observations from last Friday’s Animal Science Poster Olympics event held at the University of Queensland are any indication.

Denise Bond, Executive Officer, Macadamia Conservation Trust

Critically endangered macadamia species becomes a plant supermodel

Published on: 25 February 2021

One of the world’s rarest tree species has been transformed into a sophisticated model that University of Queensland researchers say is the future of plant research.

Geetika Geetika, PhD candidate, Centre for Crop Science

Mungbeans unmasked

Published on: 24 February 2021

New research in Queensland aims to improve mungbean yields in an increasingly variable climate. It will also provide essential information about the key factors influencing plant growth and yields.

Winners announced at 6th Animal Science Poster Olympics 2021

Published on: 19 February 2021

Over 50 people attended the 6th Animal Science Poster Olympics 2021 at The University Queensland on Friday 19 February 2021.
Animal science researchers from UQ, QUT and CSIRO exhibited 27 posters and delivered presentations to 14 industry judges during the event.

Tunable crops are just a spray away

Published on: 17 February 2021

The genetic control of crop growth and behaviour can be modified through traditional plant breeding or genetic engineering, but is fixed once a variety is sown. New spray-on viral transfection technology can transiently alter gene expression to fine-tune agronomic traits within the season while avoiding modifications to the genome.

Sera Susan Jacob is currently working with Australian native wattle seeds.

Exploring the cultural heritage and nutrition of wattle seeds

A journey to Australia’s red centre changed me forever. I visited Alice Springs for my first industry placement as part of my PhD research on Australian native wattle seeds.

Professor Robert Henry, pictured in his lab at UQ, says world-leading technology will emerge from Queensland in coming years. (Photo: Brad Cooper).

Why the world’s agricultural experts have their eyes on Queensland

Cutting-edge research dedicated to ending the use of chemical insecticides and exploding the fertility of food crops exponentially are among several projects under the microscope of scientists connected to the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.

Dr Samir Alahmad, discovered the two genes while investigating traits that durum wheat uses to survive in water-limited conditions.

Designer root systems to maintain durum wheat yields in drought

Published on: 10 February 2021

To help meet strong international demand for Australia’s premium durum wheat, new research has identified genetic solutions to maintain yields during drought.

A year in reflection: QAAFI sees breakthroughs in innovation despite pandemic

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) — a research institute at UQ that is supported by industry and the Queensland Government, and a Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) member — has been a driving force in the agricultural science landscape for more than 10 years, with 2020 bringing further breakthroughs in innovation, as well as a chance to reflect on key highlights over the last 12 months.

Photosynthesis: our best bet to create a food secure world

Published on: 3 February 2021

Australian agriculture plays a key role towards providing food for the planet but it is also expected to be one of the world’s most impacted areas from climate change.