07 Overview:
UQ is one of the few research intensive universities worldwide operating within a
subtropical environment. It plays a lead role globally in agricultural and veterinary sciences
research in sub-tropical and tropical production systems. Research presence is strong in
Animal Production (0702), Crop and Pasture Production (0703), and Veterinary Sciences
(0707) with smaller but significant presence in Horticultural Production (0706). During the
reference period there were 241 RHD completions. While UQ is not broadly represented in
the other 4-digit disciplines, there are active groups in tropical forestry, land use systems
analysis, and fisheries science.
Activities link fundamental science with industry needs. There are high levels of publication
in ranked journals, citation performance (2 ISI highly cited authors), and competitive grant
and industry funding. Activities are supported by major UQ investment in infrastructure
(e.g. Centre for Advanced Animal Science and new Vet School complex at Gatton campus).
There is significant collaborative engagement with major multi-national private (Pioneer,
Monsanto, CSR) and public (CIMMYT, ICRISAT, IRRI, Gates) agencies. There are a number of
PBRs (2) and patents (17) and staff with prestigious editorships, appointments and
fellowships. There is strong cross disciplinary collaboration with groups in Biological and
Biotechnological Sciences (06), Environmental Sciences (05), and Food Sciences (09).
0702 Animal Production: UQ has a high research profile across most animal species
(ruminant and monogastric) and provides research intensive activities within sub-tropical
and tropical environments. It has extensive collaboration with all major Government
Departments across northern Australia and many commercial sector linkages. It has
extensive links to AUSAID and ACIAR and is one of the few universities in the world to
provide training and research opportunities for developing countries within tropical
environments. A* and A publications comprise 64% of journal articles, with all journal
articles at 69% of total publications. Total Australian competitive research grant income is
~$342K/FTE(A-E) with further funding from government, industry and CRCs at ~$180K/FTE
(A-E) indicating high success at attracting competitive & industry focused funding. Major
areas of research include reproduction and nutrition of beef and dairy cattle, poultry and pig
nutrition, animal welfare, and molecular microbial ecology and function within ruminants,
horses and marsupials. This involves strong collaborative linkages with expertise in
molecular biology. Bryden is Chief Editor of Animal Production Science and has served as a
Member of WHO Expert Panel on Food Safety since 2001. The Centre for Advanced Animal
Science provides world class state of the art facilities for research into areas of animal
growth, adaptation, welfare, health and vaccines. It is a key area of strategic investment
($12.5M from AgriScience Qld and $9.5M from Qld State funds) that will ensure continued
growth, diversification and protection of Australia’s animal industries.
0703 Crop and Pasture Production: UQ has significant and broad activity in sub-tropical and
tropical crop and pasture production ranging from fundamental research on the physiology
and genetics of plant growth and development processes, to integrated approaches to plant
improvement and crop adaptation, to aspects of sustainable production systems. A* and A
publications comprise 58% of journal articles, with two staff (Hammer, Henry) listed by
Thomson ISI as highly cited authors in agricultural science. Irwin is chief editor of Crop and
Pasture Science and he and Basford are Fellows of AATSE. Total Australian competitive
research grant income is ~$310K/FTE (A-E) with further government, industry and CRC
funding of ~$310K/FTE (A-E) demonstrating high success in attracting competitive and
industry focussed funding. There are 2 Plant Breeder’s Rights (Irwin) and 4 Patents (Birch,
Carroll, Botella). A major focus has been in crop ecophysiology and modelling via research
on rice, legumes, and sorghum. Collaboration in the Agricultural Production Systems
Research Unit (APSRU) with CSIRO and AgriScience Qld has involved on-going development
of an advanced agricultural system simulation platform (APSIM), which is now utilised
globally and underpins numerous applications with industry. Research in quantitative
genetics and plant breeding focussed on wheat has been an on-going strength, with
significant national and international linkages (CIMMYT). There are close industry (Pioneer,
Monsanto, CSR) and developing country linkages (Gates, ACIAR) around activities on crop
improvement. Molecular physiology and genetics of sugar cane, sorghum, and legumes,
weed science, and tropical forage improvement are all areas of research strength. There are
strong linkages with expertise in plant biology, soil and environmental sciences, food
science, and agricultural economics. Field crop research is supported by specialised
infrastructure investment in the Crop Research Unit, a 40ha research farm, at Gatton
campus.
0706 Horticultural Production: UQ has a significant research profile in horticulture with
activities covering both basic and applied research undertaken by various groups. Key
themes include the application of biotechnology to plant improvement, postharvest
physiology, supply chain management, domestication of native plants, and development of
new crops. Journal articles comprise 55% of total publications, but many aspects of the
more fundamental research underpinning horticulture are published in journals that are
coded elsewhere. This group has attracted significant levels of competitive grant,
government, industry and CRC funding (total of ~$530K/FTE(A-E). The Centre for Native
Floriculture has had strong industry linkages and significant impact through the release of 7
new ornamental plants (cultivars of Ptilotus and Gomphrena) and their commercialisation
through a spin-off company. UQ has a lead position in research in horticultural supply chain
management, with this work having significant impact nationally and throughout Asia.
Australian horticultural industries (e.g. persimmon, mango, macadamia) have benefited
greatly from the combination of biological and agribusiness research undertaken at UQ.
UQ’s multifaceted research into postharvest physiology of horticultural crops, for example
in overcoming browning of pineapple and extended shelf life of cut flowers, is of strategic
importance to the industry. It is well supported by a specialist post-harvest physiology
laboratory at the Gatton campus.
0707 Veterinary Sciences: In veterinary science, UQ has fostered the development of creative,
practical research ideas to improve tropical/sub-tropical animal health, welfare and production as
well as human health and well-being. This has benefited farm and companion animals, their owners
and industry sectors. This research lies at the interface between biotech, biomedical, agribusiness
and animal health. These activities span animal species – from production focused cattle medicine
through to the individual health of horses, cats, dogs and other companion animals. A* and A
publications comprise over 50% of journal articles, with all journal articles at 90% of total
publications. This group has attracted significant levels of competitive grant, government, industry
and CRC funding (total of ~$190K/FTE - A-E). In cattle production there are strong collaborative
projects with veterinary and animal scientists aimed at improving reproductive performance across
northern Australia by identifying and prioritising key management and environmental factors.
Important genetic information which allows certification of parentage and contributions to
decisions on breeding strategies is supplied to the beef industry through the Australian Genetics
Laboratory and to the equine industry through the Australian Equine Genetics Research Centre
(AEGRC), which is fully funded by industry. This genetic information, combined with assisted
reproduction technologies, is being developed with the beef industry to accelerate the rate of
genetic gain. Cutting edge research in stem cell technology is being applied to germ cell
transplantation in cattle to produce tropically adapted animals that deliver sperm from temperate
breeds with superior genetics. Infectious disease & parasitology research examines the impact of
endemic and exotic diseases through projects such as the cattle tick vaccine project, and zoonotic
viral diseases (epidemiology, pathogenesis and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1)
in ducks in Indonesia and Vietnam). Biosecurity, epidemiology & public health are important areas
that arise from studies into infectious diseases and there are strong (well funded) international and
national alliances focused on the interface between animal and human health (e.g. collaboration
with the University of Washington to develop an E coli vaccine that can be administered to cattle to
prevent human infection from tainted meat). Equine gastrointestinal diseases & athletic injuries are
common place and their impact on animal welfare and on the performance horse industry is
profound. UQ has a high profile in this area through The Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit,
which was established in 1996. Companion animal health is a core area of applied research via
studies to improve the health of companion animals and provide longer lived, healthier pets to
enrich the lives of their owners through the many benefits of a human-animal bond. Stem cells from
dogs are being isolated and characterised so that they can be used in regenerative medicine
applications to treat canine osteoarthritis. The major societal problem of unwanted and problem
pets is being tackled through improved training, and broad community education.