Linking Innovation with Reproductive Performance

Associate Professor Luis Silva is a graduate of the Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brasil (agronomic engineering), B Sc, has a Master of Science degree from the same university (animal science and pastures), and a PhD from Michigan State University (animal science). Before being appointed as Senior Research Fellow of QAAFI in January 2017, he was an Associated Professor at the Veterinary Medicine School at the Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he taught classes in Ruminant Nutrition, Biochemistry and Pasture Management and Conservation. A/Prof Silva's main interest is beef cattle nutrition and has worked with different disciplines such as ruminant nutrition, ruminant physiology, rumen microbiology, ruminant reproduction, forage management, molecular biology, and economics of cattle production systems to improve cattle productivity.
 

Mark Trotter is an Associate Professor in Precision Livestock within the School of Medical and Applied Sciences at Central Queensland University (CQU). Mark is a member of the Future Farming Institute and leads the Precision Livestock Research Group at CQU. His research interests focus on spatio-temporal variability in agricultural systems and the development of sensors and management techniques that enable producers to increase production and efficiency in the face of variation found in soils, plants and animals. Of special interest to Mark is the development and evaluation of on-animal sensor systems (aka “smart tags). He is particularly focussed on developing the algorithms that turn the data these systems generate into information that enables profit driving decisions, along with exploring how the red meat industry will gain value from applying these technologies across the value chain.

Kieren grew up on a sheep and cattle property located near St George in south-west QLD and then completed a degree in agricultural science at the University of Queensland. Kieren completed his epidemiologically based PhD on the Cash Cow Project and now has 18 years of research experience in many aspects of beef production, particularly in northern Australia. His R&D interests mostly relate to on-farm commercial production and reproduction research but extend to the use of GPS and other remote technology to gain further understanding of animal production and grazing behaviour. Currently, Kieren is the principal investigator of the MLA funded ‘Reducing calf mortality from exposure’ study, as well as collaborating on several other beef production focused studies, including ‘Paddock Power’, ‘Sweet Spot’ and ‘CalfWatch’

Edwina Toohey is based in Dubbo and joined NSW DPI in 2003 as a Research Officer (Meat Science) just after completing her Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) at Charles Sturt University. Edwina has experience in both cattle, sheep and goat research and has authored 55 scientific papers/reports. Her honours work was part of Beef CRC looking at the genotype and growth rate effects on meat quality of feedlot finished beef carcases.  Edwina was the key researcher in the validation and optimisation of new generation electrical technologies across Australia, with this work extended to the goat industry.  She has also undertaken research on methods to alleviate dehydration in sheep under lairage conditions and completed her Master’s degree through UNE working on the SmartShape™/SmartStretch™ technology in beef and sheep meat. Edwina is an Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging alumni.  Now, Edwina manages a diverse team striving to meet consumer needs through the value chain and increase profitability of the red meat sector.

Starting his career as a ringer in SA in the early 80’s, Dave went on to complete a Degree in Agriculture at Roseworthy Ag College prior to moving to the NT working with the then DPI in improved pastures, and later buffalo nutrition research. In 1992, Dave joined DAF as a Technical Officer at Swans Lagoon Research Station and is now a Principal Extension Officer, based in Charters Towers. Dave has been involved in several large projects focussed on improving understanding of the factors limiting productivity of beef breeding herds in northern Australia. In particular, he led the Northern Stocking Rate Demonstration project, a heifer fertility study in north QLD and managed the PDS program for QDAF. Dave was part of both the Cash Cow and Calf Loss project teams and is a foundation member of the NB2 program including a leader for the NB2 Pathways to Practice pillar working with QLD, NT & WA agency extension and research specialists, beef producers, and industry consultants to deliver this important program.

Stuart Barrett runs beef breeding enterprise with his wife Katie south of Thangool in central Queensland. The Barrett’s have been on their family property ‘Drumburle’ since 1875, spanning five generations. Stuart gained a Bachelor of Farm Management at the University of Sydney, Orange and after graduating in 2003 he worked on a mixed enterprise farm, overseeing a Charolais stud, cropping and merino wool operation. Returning to Drumburle in 2006 Stuart now has a passion for the beef business that provides his living and future. He has found success in planting leucaena and through that has a Producer Demonstration site on Drumburle. More recent interests include agricultural advocacy through social media. Stuart became a keen participant in the one of the Beef Plan groups established locally in the 2000’s and believes these types of initiatives can bring about adoption and advancement in the beef industry. In between breeding Droughtmaster cattle, Stuart sits on the Central Queensland Beef Research Committee and won the 2011 Agforce Red Meat Award for emerging leader.

Geoff grew up on the land in both the north-west of Queensland and in Tasmania and has been involved in agriculture his whole working career. Commencing his career with Stanbroke Pastoral Company where he spent 20 years working his way from a Jackeroo through to a manager of large scale corporate assets. He joined the renowned S.Kidman & Co in 2004 when AMP sold Stanbroke and they purchased the large scale breeding enterprise Helen Springs that he was managing. Wanting to further influence industry Geoff joined the Macquarie business to take up a role as General Manager Northern Australia Operations of Paraway Pastoral Company. Geoff spent just shy of 10 years in this business growing a reputable team and business delivering strong returns. Geoff has recently embarked on a new challenge with Packhorse as CEO/MD to assist the team in building out a significant funds management business. Geoff has been involved with the industry on many levels from chairing regional research advisory committee’s for NABRC, chairing a regional land care committee, involved in industry benchmarking groups and engaging in emission reduction fund opportunities.

Natalie is a fourth-generation grazier from Clermont in central QLD. She completed her secondary schooling at The Rockhampton Grammar School in 2020 and this year is enjoying a gap year splitting time working between her family property ‘Winvic' and her neighbours at ‘Bendemeer’. She has a keen interest in animal health and welfare and ecological health and sustainability.

Nineteen years ago Ben left Cootamundra, NSW on a gap year and never looked back. Falling in love with the NT, he worked for Stanbroke and Kidman pastoral companies before moving to Paraway Pastoral Co as manager of Camooweal’s ‘Rocklands Station’.  Ben is now part of Paraway’s Senior Leadership Team as General Manager - North.   As Chair of the Barkly Beef Research Committee, Ben is a strong R&D advocate in the areas of calf loss, water quality and regionally relevant sustainable production techniques. Raising four boys on the 675,000 hectare ‘Rocklands Station’, Ben has been imparting the joys of agriculture on them from a young age and is well on his way to creating another generation of producers