Pasture Genetics and Improvement
The Pasture Genetics and Improvement Unit develops new cultivars of pasture legumes and grasses that contribute to improvements in soil fertility, herbage production, grazing value and profitability of livestock enterprises in NSW.
This pasture breeding work also contributes plant-based solutions to the environmental problems of land degradation, drought, soil acidification and salinity. The Unit provides NSW farmers with the capacity to improve the pasture feed-base and produce livestock and crop products to market specifications, while enhancing the agricultural environment.
Key research infrastructure
The Unit comprises teams at three major breeding stations: Wagga (annual legumes), Tamworth (lucerne) and Glen Innes (perennial grasses and legumes). Each of the breeding stations maintains a ‘germ-plasm resource centre’ comprising working germ-plasm collections, seeds laboratory/ glasshouse complex and field facilities. Skills include quantitative genetics, germ plasm conservation, specialist disciplines to support research ranging from eco-physiology to animal nutrition, and general pasture agronomy applicable to species/variety evaluation.
Key research collaborations
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), Agricom (New Zealand) Limited, GRDC, National Landcare Program, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Program, RIRDC.
Scientists
Find a list of Pasture Genetics and Improvement scientists.
Contact
Dr John Ayres
Research Leader, Pasture Genetics and Improvement
Phone: 02 6730 1930
Email: john.ayres@dpi.nsw.gov.au