Livestock Sector Training & Education

Rural & Regional Focus

ILRIC's core partner UNE has a strong background in rural and regional development. Its regional location and long history provide a critical network of industry partners who assist with these processes. UNE was the first regional university in Australia and hence the first university to establish close links with organisations and industries in the region. UNE has particular expertise in the area of agriculture and systems thinking through the School of Rural Science and Agriculture. The Graduate School of Agricultural Economics is a key link to both agricultural sciences and business studies. The New England Business School (NEBS), has developed a unique synergy between academic learning and industry application. The School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management is a world leader in the development of sustainable rural industries and National Park management. There is also a Language Training Sector which has been involved in many short and long term language training programs for various clients from developing countries.

A Master Class (Research Management in Agriculture) consists of 20 participants from developing countries, the most recent included participants from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, China, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Master Classes are funded by The Crawford Fund, assisted by the ADB, ACIAR, UNIDO, AQIS, GRDC various CRCs, and the CSIRO. They run for 2 weeks with a 2-day mid-course field trip. There are 8 key themes: research planning, managing research, managing research staff, financial management and intellectual property (IP), collaboration with research and commercial partners, social and environmental implications of research, assessing the achievements of research, transfer of research technology. Senior lecturing staff are drawn from UNE's School of Rural Science and Agriculture, Beef CRC, Cotton CRC, as well as from ACIAR, GRDC, CSIRO and the private sector such as Export Grains Centre Ltd.

Agricultural Training

UNE has been providing training and education to the agricultural industry for over 50 years. UNE has the flexibility to adapt individual courses for particular client needs. It also has a range of programs that can be undertaken at graduate or post-graduate levels. These include graduate certificates, diplomas, degrees and post-graduate Masters and PhD programs. ILRIC can offer training for extension officers, smallholders, company staff, industry group members, government officials and policy formulators through individual training, participatory workshops and study tours in Australia and overseas. Training by leading experts is available in all facets of the livestock production process including genetics and breeding, sustainable resource management, feed and forage management, animal health, project management, marketing, economic analysis, social capital and community-based project management. Skills are also available in the area of 'Training the trainer' so that institutions in developing countries do not become dependent on external support. Many formal courses are offered online and/or accompanied by residential schools. As world wide satellite communication increases ILRIC will be able to deliver video footage for training on request. Various industry specific courses are available for inhouse training, many of which may be delivered over the Internet.

Distance Education

UNE has been the leader and innovator in distance education (DE) for more than 40 years. UNE has an outstanding international reputation for its approach to DE and has arguably the most extensive experience in DE development and provision in Australia. Its DE practices have been replicated by many universities, such as the Open University (UK), Atabasca University (Canada) and University of Bergen (Norway). While the provision of print and audiovisual-based modes have been the basis of DE, UNE now offers more than 400 courses online serving 15,000 students, with more accessing the University's e-resources and services. In 2004 UNE ranked second in Australia in terms of numbers of external students (13,151). Almost all students enrolled in certificate and diploma courses study externally.

  • A six-week training course on farm economics and relational database management in Inner Mongolia
  • Training workshops in Java, Indonesia on the mitigation of soil erosion,
  • Management of agricultural research in developing countries and socioeconomic monitoring and evaluation of research and development,
  • Rural development planning and policy making. - Agricultural and resource economics,
  • Project analysis,
  • Genetics in Thailand, the Philippines and South Africa,
  • Economics training programs in China relating to economic analysis, budgeting of farming systems, use of computer software,
  • Research management in agriculture workshops within Fiji, Viet Nam and Indonesia
 

International Education

Other International Academic Institutions

Opportunities exist for high performing students to proceed to postgraduate research positions. ILRIC has strong links with educational and research institutions throughout the developing world and has benefited from the research capacities of students from these countries. Both through UNE alumni and cooperative research and project implementation activities ILRIC can form partnerships with government agencies, universities and international research institutions as required.

Graduate and postgraduate programs are provided to individuals and institutions in a wide range of developing countries.

The most significant co-operative projects that are being implemented are:

  • Wuxi South Ocean College (China). UNE provides on site staff support in China to an average of 300 enrolments per year, mainly in the areas of economics, accounting and finance - Brickfields College (Malaysia). 350 enrolments in MBA

  • Global Distance Learning Institute (Taiwan). 250 enrolments in MBA

  • Australian Educational Centre (Singapore)

  • Hong Kong University. UNE delivers 10 undergraduate and post-graduate diplomas and degrees

  • National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (Taiwan). Since 2000 UNE has been providing consultancy advice on the establishment of ICT/DE systems and operation

  • University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan). A World Bank-funded project ($2.6m) included 21 months of UNE staff inputs in Pakistan. It was jointly managed by the School of Sociology and Faculty of Agricultural Economics.

There were reciprocal staff visits to UNE, five fulltime PhD scholarships and major review of faculty management and processes

UNE staff have designed and delivered a wide-range of development programs in developing countries, eg in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, India, Thailand and the Philippines. These programs have addressed methods to improve agricultural practices and economic benefits, including training in animal breeding/genetics (Thailand and the Philippines), agricultural economics for smallholders (Indonesia), and technologies for sustainable agriculture in marginal uplands of Southeast Asia (the Philippines).

A recent area of cooperation has involved assistance with the redevelopment of the National University of Timor Lorosae (UNTL). Assistance has been given to develop courses within the Faculty of Agriculture. This project was undertaken in cooperation with other Australian universities and funded by ACIAR.

Short course – tailored (English language competency)
  1. Topics Length Level Cost Deliverer selection

(see domestic education for a list of example course subjects

2.      International students to UNE / other institutions
Scholarships available via UNE

        3.  Tips & Tools:
            Ante-mortem inspection of slaughter cattle
            Mastitis treatment in dairy cattle
            Pasture rotation techniques
            Minimising heat stress in feedlot cattle

Formal Academic Training

ILRIC can facilitate and manage entry into all of UNE’s broad range of certificate, diploma, degree and postgraduate programs. These programs range from practical livestock production certificates to postgraduate research programs in agricultural economics. UNE is a world leader in formal agricultural education and training. Listed below is a range of education programs accessible through ILRIC.

Certificate in Feedlot Management

The Certificate in Feedlot Management covers all facets of feedlot production from the breeding and genetics of feeder steers through to growth and nutrition during finishing. Additionally, health and welfare implications and waste management are covered. Finally, the production factors that impact on meat quality are explained. The certificate targets people that are either currently working at or likely to be involved at a management level in the feedlot sector. It covers; cattle breeding and genetics, meat quality/meat science, growth and nutrition, health and welfare of feedlot cattle, feedlot waste management, business management, feedbunk management and marketing.

Certificate in Meat Marketing

Producers, processors and distributors of meat products must keep abreast of market forces and be continually awake to new product and market opportunities. Understanding and implementing market strategies is central to successfully differentiating meat products, maintaining market share, establishing new market niches and increasing profits.

The Certificate in Meat Marketing is a training program designed to take producers, buyers, processors, wholesale and retail butchers, meat graders and supermarket group meat managers from the realm of theory into the business of creating new products and responding to new markets. The course uses real life meat industry case studies and examples to illustrate essential marketing concepts and their applications.

Training in Animal Health

ILRIC, through its partners, offers a wide range of educational courses for producers and rural merchandisers. Topics include control of internal parasites, grazing management and nutrition and production economics.

A major activity has been provision of a comprehensive Animal Health Training Course to industry merchandise, livestock and other personnel. This course is presented by VHR and includes topics such as the biology and control of internal and external parasites in cattle and sheep, energy, protein, trace element and vitamin nutrition, common diseases of stock and special aspects of animal health such as zoonoses. Seminars include both theory and practical sessions. Comprehensive colour notes are supplied as a reference, along with summary sheets suitable for use in the field. Course delivery is backed up by email, website facilities and several dedicated staff. The Centre for Animal Health and Welfare also offer a Veterinary Health Unit.

Undergraduate Courses

UNE offers a wide range of education choices for those interested in the rural and agricultural science disciplines. Topics available include: Cotton Production, Meat Science and Technology, Feedlot Management, Wool Production and Applied Animal Nutrition. Programs are designed to provide graduates with a broad knowledge of agriculture so that they are able to contribute effectively to sustainable agricultural production in technical and support roles providing opportunities for students to develop the skills, knowledge and technology needed to work in agriculture and primary industries sector from simple to technical and managerial roles.

Postgraduate Courses

Graduate Diploma in Rural Science

The Graduate Diploma in Rural Science is designed to give Science graduates an opportunity to undertake specialised study in an area of agriculture, or for those holding a three-year degree, to upgrade their qualifications. Areas of specialisation are: animal production/animal products; animal genetics; horticultural science; mammalian physiology; agronomy and soil science.

Graduate Certificate in Rural Science

The Graduate Certificate in Rural Science is an intensive course offered in Animal Breeding and Genetics, Cotton Production (fee-paying only), Meat Science and Technology, Feedlot Management and Wool Science. The Genetics program is designed to provide extension officers and consultants to the animal breeding industries with sufficient technical skills in quantitative genetics to assume a position of authority when giving animal breeding advice and the ability to design relevant breeding programs without extensive support from research specialists. The Meat Science, Feedlot Management and Wool Science programs equip graduates with specialised skills relevant to the needs of the cattle and sheep industries.

Master of Agriculture

Programs are available in animal production, animal physiology, animal nutrition, agronomy and soil science.

Master of Science in Agriculture

The Master of Science in Agriculture is a program of coursework and research. Areas of specialisation are: animal science; meat science and technology; wool science; genetics and animal breeding; agricultural and resource economics; agronomy and soil science.

Other courses for postgraduate study include: Graduate
Diploma in Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness and Master of Agriculture.

Postgraduate Research Opportunities

ILRIC’s core partner, UNE, has been home to many visiting scientists from around the world during the past 50 years. ILRIC can offer post-graduate researchers access to the latest analytical and laboratory facilities, internationally recognised supervisors, world-class library and a vibrant multicultural working environment in a secure regional city situated between Sydney and Brisbane.

 

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