Scientists from The University of Queensland, the Queensland Government and the CSIRO have joined together to form the Northern Beef Research Alliance (NBRA).
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman today launched the new research alliance designed to help boost the fortunes of the $5 billion northern beef industry.
国产探花鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter H酶j joined Mr Newman, Dr Greg Harper from the CSIRO and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh to launch NBRA.
国产探花鈥檚 Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) will coordinate research efforts with colleagues from the Queensland Government鈥檚 Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Australia鈥檚 national science agency, the CSIRO.
Professor H酶j said applied research had a proven record in stimulating economic growth, and the alliance would pool the expertise of about 100 researchers with a focus on the northern beef industry.
鈥湽交ㄢ�檚 standing as a top global university includes a ranking of 12th in the world for agriculture and 18th for plant and animal science, and we are pleased to lend this strength to improve the competitiveness of a key industry in a tough trading environment,鈥� Professor Peter H酶j.
Mr Newman said the NBRA brought together scientists from 国产探花, the Queensland Government and the CSIRO and would improve the coordination of scientific expertise that would drive the prosperity of a vital Queensland industry.
鈥淭he Queensland Government is delighted to be partnering with 国产探花 and CSIRO to deliver State-wide returns for beef producers through a more coordinated approach to research,鈥� Mr Newman said.
鈥淭he NBRA will identify shared research projects to improve the productivity and profitability of Queensland鈥檚 beef industry and will bring together the nation鈥檚 leaders in beef cattle genetics, reproduction, nutrition, health, welfare, husbandry and grazing land management,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his work will help meet the Government鈥檚 target of doubling food production by 2040.鈥�
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said the development of Queensland鈥檚 beef industry was vital, not only for Queensland but for the nation generally.
鈥淭he NBRA is one of several new strategies which will underpin Queensland's wider economic growth, resulting in a more productive and resilient economy,鈥� Mr McVeigh said.
鈥淭he Government expects its research partnership with 国产探花, the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), to continue to play a key role in the development of productivity gains in the agriculture sector,鈥� he said.
鈥淭here is considerable potential for the northern beef industry to provide significant and sustained wealth creation.鈥�
Dr Greg Harper, Director of External Engagement, CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, said the Northern Beef Research Alliance was an ideal way to make the most of precious resources.
鈥淭his Alliance continues CSIRO鈥檚 long history of partnering for innovation for the northern beef industry,鈥� Dr Harper said.
鈥淚t makes good sense to team up to find solutions to industry challenges and take advantage of innovation opportunities.鈥�
鈥淭he Northern Beef Research Alliance will work together to solve some of the key questions affecting northern production such as reproduction efficiency, optimisation of growth pathways and low stress animal husbandry procedures.鈥�
Collectively NBRA members are currently responsible for some $9 million in northern beef research projects, forming a solid foundation for future scientific investigation targeted at the needs of industry.
Media: QAAFI: Ron Hohenhaus 鈥� 0417 425 510
QAAFI Background
The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) is a 国产探花 research institute which was formed under an alliance with the Queensland Government in 2010. QAAFI draws together 100 research teams specialising in plant, animal and food sciences from 12 国产探花 and Queensland Government sites across the state, and remains focused on improving tropical and sub-tropical food, fibre and agribusiness sectors through high-impact science.
