• The Gulbali Institute launched the Agricultural Innovation Program at the Digital Agrifood Summit
• The program is comprised of researchers across four key domains to improve methods, productivity and social impact of agricultural and farming systems
• The Digital Agrifood Summit was held at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 November

Charles Sturt University continues to strengthen its standing as Australia’s leading regional university for agricultural education and research as it launches the Agricultural Innovation Program.

The Agricultural Innovation Program, run by Charles Sturt’s Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, consists of a team of researchers across four key domains:

• livestock production and health
• crop production for sustainable systems
• plant and weed physiology
• mixed farming systems for production and climate resilience

Professor in Veterinary Physiology with the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences Jane Quinn is a Gulbali Institute researcher involved with the program.

She said the program will train undergraduate and postgraduate students to develop these skills as the agricultural scientists of the future by embedding technological, big data analytics and core scientific rigour into research and course content.

“The portfolio is broad but the central principle is one of improving methods, productivity and social impact of agricultural and farming systems,” she said.

“We aim to conduct research that has tangible and meaningful outcomes to our stakeholders, both nationally and internationally.”

Projects range from new technologies for weed control and novel crop varieties for weed protection and crop resilience, to mixed farming models for improved drought sustainability.

Researchers work in livestock production and health, including carcass metrics, as well as crop production and maximisation of yield.

There are also researchers looking at the social impacts of agriculture, First Nations food production and natural products for plant and animal/human health from biodiverse species including seaweeds and algae.

The Agricultural Innovation Program was launched at the Digital Agrifood Summit at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 November.

Charles Sturt will facilitate open, evidence-based debate on critical agri-policy issues during the Summit while showcasing its research on how the University is providing solutions in food security, climate and digital agriculture.