• Charles Sturt University will invest more than $50 million into agricultural research projects and facilities
• The investments are centred on sustainable energy, animal health, agricultural technology and soil health

Charles Sturt University is investing more than $50 million into projects which will revolutionise the Australian agriculture industry.

The investments, facilitated through the University, the Agrisciences Research and Business Park (AgriPark) and key industry partners, will build on the University’s existing substantial investments in agricultural research.

The new investments are:

• $22 million over three years for various projects at the Global Digital Farm, an integrated digital learning, innovation and research environment working within a full scale, commercial, mixed farm operation.
• $20 million over three years for various projects in the Renewables in Agriculture program, including bringing the first hydrogen tractor to Australia.
• $10 million across various projects in the Cool Soils Initiative, which supports farmers in exploring their practices to improve the health of their soil, increase their yield, and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. This program is being expanded into Western Australia for the first time.
• $8 million towards a circularity Centre of Excellence being developed in Wagga Wagga.

In addition to these projects, Charles Sturt’s Red Meat Innovation Centre is helping to develop a Feedlot of the Future for sheep in Wagga Wagga. To date, these feedlots have only been developed for cattle.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor, Professor Renée Leon, said the investments would help to address challenges and unlock opportunities in the agriculture sector, helping to push the industry towards its goal of exceeding $100 billion in farm gate output by 2030.

"These investments mark a significant step towards realising the vision of a more sustainable, innovative and resilient Australian agriculture sector," Professor Leon said.

“Charles Sturt is at the forefront of innovation across the board, but our agricultural research is truly leading the way on a global scale.

"By collaborating with sector-leading partners like Telstra, NAB, Food Agility CRC and others, Charles Sturt is able to better leverage our researchers’ cutting-edge innovations to serve the needs of primary producers and the industry as a whole.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon, Murray Watt MP, congratulated the University on the investments.

“We know that climate change is impacting the profitability and productivity of farms around the country,” Minister Watt said.

“So it’s fantastic to see more serious investment to help advance the development of technology to help farmers reduce their emissions.

“The Federal Government is committed to real improvements to boost the agriculture sector to become more sustainable. Initiatives such as this are good for farmers, good for Australia and good for our economy.

“Congratulations to Charles Sturt University for this important initiative.”

The announcement of these investments comes in the wake of news that Charles Sturt will lead the AgriTwins project as part of CSIRO’s Next Generation Graduates Program.

The University’s Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Futures Institute (AICF) and the AgriPark will spearhead a new era in Australian agriculture through the education of 11 research students, eight PhD students, two master’s students, and one Honours student in the fields of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

The project is a $1.59 million dollar collaboration between nine industry, four academic partners, and CSIRO to recruit students to specialise in digital twins and agriculture.

ENDS