Farming Systems Agronomy

Collects the agronomic research data for new wheat, canola, oilseed mustards, and pulse varieties that will be synthesised into management packages for the south-eastern Australian cropping region

Farming Practices

Provides the research, demonstration and extension required to encourage best management practice for southern NSW mixed farming. Current focus is on improvement of the feed base and reduction of the winter feed gap through inclusion of perennial grasses into the crop system; management of stubble; weed and disease management options; risk management of likely impact of climate change and variability.

Field Crop Germplasm Development and Variety Evaluation

Working in conjunction with canola, barley, wheat and pulse breeding organisation to develop germplasm and evaluate cereal, oilseed and pulse varieties for production suitability to southern NSW. I&I NSW is a partner in Pulse Breeding Australia and Barley Breeding Australia.  Includes a component identifying suitably adapted perennial wheat lines for further development.

Field Crop Protection

Conducts the plant pathology and entomology research, demonstration and extension to identify the causes of, evaluate the losses from, and develop controls for the pests and diseases that limit yield and quality of crops and pastures in southern NSW. The entomology section also has a strong focus on grain storage management and monitoring chemical resistance in grain storage insects.

Pastures

Provides the research, demonstration and extension required to support livestock enterprises in the mixed farming systems of southern NSW. Current focus is on increasing the adoption of perennial pasture species by demonstrating their productivity, persistence, summer dormancy and environmental benefits; developing resilient perennial forage legume cultivars; evaluating small seeded annual legumes for robust pasture mixtures;   and the use of new hard seeded varieties to reduce the cost of pasture establishment.

Beef Production Animal Nutrition

Develops growth prediction models for beef; assesses cereal forage, hay and silage quality; and is investigating the use of silage in production feeding systems to improve the content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in meat.  The Feed Quality Service provides analysis of feed and fodder quality for growers, contractors, compound feed producers, feed marketers, researcher s, feedlotters and the dairy industry.

Genetics

Conducts candidate gene discovery, genomics research and phylogentics. Current genomic focus is on blackleg resistance in canola, improving manganese tolerance in canola, and mapping pleochaeta root rot resistance in lupins and contributes to the NSW Agricultural Genomics Centre programs on maintaining the yield and quality of wheat and canola in adverse climate conditions. Phylogentics research is DNA fingerprinting agriculturally important insect species as part of the Barcode of Life program. 

Weed Science

Conducts the research, development and extension to develop integrated weed management packages for mixed farming systems; and provides herbicide tolerance data of field crop cultivars to assist development of best management agronomic packages for field crop varieties. 

Viticulture

The National Wine & Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC), which supports the Australian wine and grape  industry across the state and nationally, is a collaborative venture between Industry & Investment NSW, Charles Sturt University and the NSW Wine Industry Association and has been in existence since 1997. The Viticulture Sub-Unit is a component of the NSW Division of Primary Industries Science Innovation and Performance Branch. The NWGIC aims to support development of consumer-preferred, Australian regional wine styles from ecologically-adapted germplasm, managed for sustainability of products and resources that will provide the core elements of increased demand and added value of Australian wine. Current research focus areas include water and nutrient supply, grape quality, disease and pest management and industry training.

Biometrics and Informatics

Supports the research programs of I&I NSW through provision of modern statistic and mathematic expertise, Undertakes research, consultancy, and training in statistics and biometrics as applied to agriculture, the environment and food.

Agricultural Economics

Supports research and policy through provision of economic evaluation. Current focus has been at the paddock level estimating the value of liming pastures; at the systems level as estimating the returns from introducing perennial pastures in to the rotation; and at the landscape level valuing the social and economic impact of  water and salinity management as a guide to  policy setting.

Natural Resource Management

Integrates research, development and extension into training modules and management packages that ensure agriculture provides appropriate stewardship of the environment and natural resource base. Current research in soil science and hydrology is addressing carbon sequestration; subsoil constraints, salinity management, fluid fertilisers, fingerprinting the soil metagenome.  Training modules for landholders are being developing on soil biology, soil management, salinity management, irrigation and water use, private forestry management and bioenergy.

Cereal Science

First class ISO certified laboratory facilities for wheat and barley quality assessment and end-product evaluation of various breads, noodles, steamed products, biscuits, and barley malt quality, Undertakes the quality assessment of the National Variety Trials wheat quality assessment for NSW.  Current research is as part of the NSW Agricultural Genomics Centre measuring the impact of climate variation on wheat quality and development of spelt wheats as an alternative cereal for sufferers of wheat allergies.

Oil Science

The Australian Oil Research Laboratory at WWAI :is a world class facility accredited by  NATA, the American Oil Chemists Association and the IOC. The laboratory conducts research into the composition and organoleptic properties of olive and canola oils as affected by environment and storage and has made a significant contribution to the high quality of Australian products. As well as research the Oil Testing Service ensures olive oil products meet customer specifications, quality standards  and authenticity claims., and assists canola breeding programs select for improved oil quality.

Agricultural Services

Regional advisory services provide high level independent advice to producers, farm groups, agribusiness, other agencies and the community in all aspects of agronomy, sheep and beef cattle farming.  Advice is delivered through field days, workshops, short courses, district farmer groups, farm visits, and production of Factsheets and web information.

Biosecurity

Conducts a range of programs ensure the risk of disease and pest incursion to southern NSW agriculture is minimised including noxious weeds; participation in the NSW and National Sheep Health Monitoring Program; improving pig industry compliance with current legislation; interstate certification assurance; inspections of plants, plant products, harvest machinery; NLIS audits; stock foods audits; and emergency management responses.

Animal Health

Provides an animal health service in the region by participating in national state and regional animal health program, undertaking disease surveillance, delivering training for emergency disease preparedness and response,  and assisting the  RSPCA and other agencies in animal welfare matters.