Facilities - Cowra Agricultural Research & Advisory Station
Situated 3km from Cowra on the northern town boundary, the research and advisory station is located on 305 hectares of undulating arable and grazing country. A further 70ha is leased from the adjoining Department of Natural Resources.
Staff Accommodation
The eight professional and their six support staff and one PhD student are accommodated in a modern office complex located in landscaped grounds on the property. Access to the latest communication and computing technologies are available, as are functional library, meeting and amenity facilities. A large cluster of historical buildings dating back to the early 20th century provide accommodation for four farm staff and their modern farming and livestock handling equipment.
Laboratory
The NSW DPI Meat Science Laboratory provides valuable support to the Meat Science program, conducting a variety of tests in regard to meat and eating quality with a focus on protein degradation.
The laboratory has recently undergone an external assessment and audit by NCSI for AS/NZSISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems. As a result, the laboratory has now gained internationally recognised certification. The laboratory is currently working towards broadening the scope of the ISO accreditation to include other testing procedures.
Conference Centre
The JT Pridham Conference Centre was opened during centenary celebrations in 2003. This modern 80 seat facility has been developed within the fully restored barn built for local plant breeders in 1907. It provides meeting, workshop, training and conference facilities for local and visiting departmental staff and all agricultural related organisations.