Research interests

• Animal breeding and genetics
• Breeding systems design in beef cattle 
• Genetic improvement in maternal productivity in beef cattle
• Diffusion & adoption of innovation

Background

Peter Parnell is the Research Leader for Beef Genetics & Improvement within the Rural Innovation Branch of the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Peter is based at Armidale, where he is the Director of the Beef Industry Centre of Excellence.

Peter has over 20 years experience in research, extension and application of technology in the beef industry.  His primary research interest is in beef genetics, particularly in developing new genetic technology for the improvement of feed efficiency and maternal productivity.

Peter is also heavily involved in extension and technology delivery activities. He is a Project Leader within the Beef Cooperative Research Centre (Beef CRC), responsible for co-ordinating resources within the CRC directed at accelerating the rate of adoption of research outcomes in the beef industry. Peter has extensive experience in commercial application of beef breeding technologies such as BREEDPLAN and BreedObject. 

Previously, Peter spent 10 years at the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre where he led the research programs investigating the genetics of growth rate and feed conversion efficiency. His previous roles also included 5 years as the Breed Development Manager for the Angus Society of Australia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Rural Science with Honours, University of New England, 1981
• Doctor of Philosophy, University of New England, 1988

Current projects

• Improving the efficiency of feed utilisation for beef production 
• Divergent selection for feed efficiency in Angus cattle 
• Feed efficiency gene discovery and gene expression 
• Genetic impacts on maternal productivity in variable temperate environments 
• Feed efficiency in pigs.

Recent Publications

Parnell, P.F. (2007), Effective value chain partnerships are essential for rapid adoption of beef genetics technology. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 17: 167-174.

Parnell, P.F. (2007), Genetic gain without profit drain – The importance of collaborative industry relationships to achieve adoption of genetics technology. Proceedings of MLA Meat Profit Day, Perth WA, 6th July, 2007. Meat and Livestock Australia.

Parnell, P.F., Clark, R.C., Timms, J. and Griffith, G.R. (2007), Project Overview - Accelerating Improvement and Innovation through Sustainable Beef Profit Partnerships. Paper prepared for External Review of the Beef CRC Accelerated Adoption Project, March, 2007.

Parnell, P.F., Clark, R.C., Timms, J. and Griffith, G.R. (2007), Boosting Beef Business profits – each year, every year! Application to the CRC Association Awards for Excellence in Innovation, February, 2007.

Parnell, P.F. (2007), Beef CRC Maternal Productivity Project – Industry Herd Component. Proceedings of the NSW DPI Beef Industry Conference, 20-21st March, 2007. Hawks Nest, NSW.

Alford, A.R., Hegarty, R.S., Parnell, P.F., Cacho, O.J., Herd, R.M. and Griffith, G.R. (2006), The impact of breeding to reduce residual feed intake on enteric methane emissions from the Australian beef industry, Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture - ASAP Special Edition 46: 1-9.

Corrigan, L. and Parnell, P.F. (2006), Application of genetics technology in the temperate Australian beef seedstock industry.  Proceedings of Australian Beef – The Leader! Conference, University of New England, Armidale, 7 - 8th March, 2006.

Griffith, G.R., Parnell, P.F. and McKiernan, W. (2006), The Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits to NSW from Investment in the CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies, Economic Research Report No. 30, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Armidale, September, 2006.

Parnell, P.F. (2005), The genomic revolution – what will it offer the beef industry ? Proceedings Murray Grey World Conference and Beef Industry Workshop. Albany, 12-14th October, 2005. pp 38-42.

Parnell, P.F. (2004), Introduction to DNA Technology – what will it offer the beef industry ? In: Proceedings of “The New Science of Cattle Breeding” Eds. J.F. Wilkins and B.J. Cumming) NSW Agriculture Technology Forum, Albury June 2004, pp. 8-12.

Parnell, P.F. (2004), The Genomic Revolution – What will it offer the beef industry? Proceedings of the Beef Improvement Association of Australia National Conference, June, 2004. Albany, WA.

Wood, B.J., van der Werf, J.H.J. and Parnell, P.F. (2004) Valuing genotype testing for a recessive gene to a commercial beef production operation. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55: 825–831.

Parnell, P.F. (2003) Industry application of marbling genetics: a brief review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44:697-703.

Parnell, P.F. (2003), Introduction to DNA technology – what will it offer the beef industry ? Proceedings of ‘The Beef Products Program: Technology – Our Future’, pp.157-160. NSW Agriculture.

Professional associations and activities

• Australian Society of Animal Production
• Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics
• Beef Improvement Association of Australia

Fields of Research

• 070201 Animal Breeding

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Beef cattle
• Genetic improvement
• Productivity
• Innovation diffusion
• Technology adoption 

Contact details