The Farming Systems North research program covers:

• Research and development of more sustainable dryland farming practices by:
  improving the adoption of broadleaf crops and pastures and updating crop management recommendations particularly for barley, durum, chickpeas, faba beans and juncea canola / Indian mustard.
• National leadership of the breeding programs for chickpeas (PBA) and durum (ADWIP) and providing support for other national programs - barley, faba beans, soybeans and mungbeans. The principal objective is to improve productivity and reduce the risk of crop failure. This involves releasing new varieties with improved yield, disease resistance, adaptation to climate variation while maintaining or improving grain quality. Additionally the Australian Winter Cereals Collection (AWCC) is maintained and continually added to for the benefit of Australian cereal breeding programs.
• Research and development of plant pathology into cereals and pulses by:
  developing methodology and providing disease screening for durum and pulse breeding programs, surveying distribution of diseases and developing disease management packages and maintaining a pathology skills base to combat major disease outbreaks or the incursion of an exotic disease.
• Research and development into cereal and pulse management practices in irrigated cotton farming systems by:
  developing agronomy and irrigation management information to maximise yield, reducing the impact of subsoil constraints and integrating pest, disease and weed management options.
• Assessment of economic benefits and costs of achieving sustainable farming systems by:
  assessing economic benefits and costs of implementing changed practices, developing economic analysis tools and whole farm models and reviewing economic impacts of new technology or sustainability issues affecting production.
• Research and development of pastures in mixed farming systems by:
  developing and evaluating superior germplasm, e.g. lucerne, particularly for the tablelands and slopes and the development and management of subtropical grasses and legumes to improve feed quality and stock utilisation.

Key research infrastructure

Tamworth, Narrabri, Glen Innes, Grafton

The Unit comprises teams leading research, development and extension (RDE) projects in breeding and farming systems projects located north of Dubbo.

Staff are mostly located at Tamworth Agricultural Institute; however, there are team members also located at Narrabri, Glen Innes and Grafton. Each Centre maintains and provides field, glasshouse and office/workshed areas for professional and technical staff to work on and off site.

Key research collaborations

R&D fund providers

GRDC, ACIAR, RIRDC, AWI, MLA, Future Farm Industries CRC, Cotton Catchment Communities CRC, CSIRO.

Universities

University of New England / Primary Industries Innovation Centre, University of Sydney, University of Adelaide, Charles Sturt University / EH Graham Centre.

State agencies

Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation (DEEDI); Department of Primary Industries Victoria (VicDPI); South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI); Department of Food & Agriculture Western Australia (DAFWA).

Grower organisations/alliances

Northern Growers Alliance (NGA), Grains Orana Alliance (GOA), NSW Farmers Association including Research Advisory Committees (RAC).

National/international collaboration

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Barley Breeding Australia (BBA), Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA), Durum Industry Association, Grain Growers Association., Northern Barley Research Advisory Committee, Soy Australia, Australian Mungbean Association, Pulse Australia.

Current projects

Scientific outputs

The Farming Systems unit has undertaken research to better understand and improve the productivity of primary industries. View the results of their research in summaries of their scientific outputs. These are organised by year of publication.

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |

Scientists

Find a list of Farming Systems scientists.

Contact

John Sykes
Research Leader Farming Systems North and Centre Director
Phone 02 6763 1138