Agriculture and Food

Welfare and behaviour implications of virtual fencing in Northern beef cow-calf systems

This project will investigate use of virtual fencing in northern Australian beef production. The expected outcomes will improve knowledge on efficacy, and implications for animal behaviour and welfare of using virtual fencing in northern cow-calf systems. This research will potentially improve land management in pastoral systems.  

Maximising effectiveness of limited insecticide resources to improve sheep health and wool yields

This project will establish best practice for insecticide applications in the sheep industry using molecular genetic analysis and computational modelling. The expected outcomes are to understand the level of resistance and cross resistance to the primary insecticides and to use computational modelling to develop optimal strategies for insecticide rotation. This solution will help prolong the usefulness of existing insecticides thereby improving animal health and profitability.

Strategic silage use for productivity and sustainability in Northern Territory beef systems

This project will develop economically and sustainability optimised silage feeding strategies for northern beef producers. The expected outcome is to combine feeding trials on commercial properties in the NT with economic and sustainability modelling to develop improved silage feeding strategies. This project will allow data-driven decision making by northern cattle producers to optimise feeding strategies for better economic and sustainability outcomes. 

Fermented plant protein peptides in development of functional elderly milk formulations

This project explores using fermented plant protein peptides in milk formulas for the elderly with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The expected outcome is to ferment plant protein peptides, analyse their bioactive compounds, and assess their in vitro bioactivities. The project aims to develop nutritious, easily digestible, novel dairy formulas, potentially reducing the burden of age-related health concerns on individuals and healthcare systems.

Ecological drivers of disease spread in horticultural tree crops

This project investigates ecological interactions that influence disease spread in tree crop horticultural systems. The expected outcomes are improved understanding of ecological drivers of the dynamics of diseases and ecological intervention/restoration strategies for disease management. The potential benefit is chemically limited sustainable disease management in horticulture, benefiting industry and the environment.

Influencing factors of feed intake and digestion in prawns

This Project will investigate poorly understood mechanisms regulating feed consumption in prawns through a multi-disciplinary approach studying feeding behaviour, digestive physiology, nutritional needs and metabolism regulation. The expected outcomes are to better understand dietary factors and physiological mechanisms promoting feed consumption and return of appetite in juvenile prawns. This may lead to the application of new feed and feeding strategies to enhance aquaculture performance and sustainability.  

Crop disease management

This project aims to integrate novel automated disease surveillance technology into real-time management of crop diseases for improved yield and sustainability outcomes. The expected outcome is grower recommendations for crop diseases informed by real-time automated disease surveillance. The potential benefit is improved productivity and sustainability through reduced crop losses and chemical inputs.