International Livestock Resources & Information Centre Ltd

http://agbu.une.edu.au/

Cutting edge genetic evaluations & research systems

In 2001 AGBU celebrated 25 years of R&D for improving the productivity and product quality in Australia's livestock.

The Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit was established in 1976 by the New South Wales State Department of Agriculture and the University of New England to carry out research, development and training in the genetic improvement of livestock for the benefit of Australian agriculture. From a small beginning of two scientists, one extension specialist and one secretary, it has grown to a team of 20 scientists, postgraduate students and support staff. It has an excellent international reputation and as a consequence, an active program of visiting scientists. The current director of AGBU is Dr Hans-Ulrich Graser.

AGBU's achievements include:

• BREEDPLAN, PIGBLUP and OVIS genetic evaluation systems which have been widely adopted by the beef, pig & sheep industries, respectively;
• BreedObject Software to calculate economic weights and selection indices tailored to individual requirements;
• Recognition as a leader in methods for the prediction of breeding values through these genetic evaluation systems;
• Leadership of the Beef CRC's genetics program;
• New knowledge of the genetics of growth, carcase and fertility traits in beef cattle and pigs;
• New methods for the estimation of genetic parameters;
• New methods for segregation analysis with and without genetic markers;
• Regular short courses for student and scientists in work related areas.

These achievements have been made possible by grants from all major livestock R&D funding bodies in particular the MLA & PRDC and the ongoing support of UNE and NSW Agriculture.

AGBU's work has greatly assisted the improvement of livestock through breeding in Australia and overseas. A vibrant scientific program continues with regular publication of research results in Scientific Journals. However, its main purpose is to meet ongoing demands from Australia's livestock industries for research, development and training in genetics.

UNE – a leader in Agriculture

UNE is uniquely placed in a rural location with a strong history of research and rural education, providing UNE graduates with a good understanding of regional and rural issues.  As a result, the Federal Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries prefers UNE graduate recruits. According to a Department spokesman, UNE graduates make outstanding recruits who, once placed, advance very quickly.

UNE is renowned worldwide for its environmental science and natural resource management, rural and animal science and agricultural economics courses.  It is a centre for many of Australia’s leading industry and research organisations, placing it at the forefront of the Agricultural Industry. 

These include:

Agricultural Business Research Institute  

Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit  

Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law  

CRC - Cotton Catchment Communities  

CRC - Australian Poultry

CRC - Australian Sheep Industry

CRC - Australian Weeds Management

CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies

CRC - Irrigation Futures

CRC - Viticulture

Centre for Agricultural and Applied Economics

Centre for Animal Health and Welfare

Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology

Centre for Ecological Economics and Water Policy Research

Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Systematics

Centre for Environmental Dispute Resolution

Centre for Molecular Microbiology

Centre for Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour

Centre for North Coast Aquatic Linkages  

Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems

Institute for Rural Futures

Institute for Genetics and Bioinformatics

International Livestock Resources and Information Centre

N. C. W. Beadle Herbarium

National Marine Science Centre

Primary Industries Innovation Centre

Heritage Futures Research Centre

UNESCO Centre for Bioregional Resource Management

The University of New England Asia Centre

http://www.vhr.com.au/

Largest independent quality assured animal health research facility

VHR is one of Australia's most respected independent research and development consultancies. Based in Armidale in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia, VHR has grown into an integrated facility targeting all facets of Australia's rural sector. VHR Armidale has 5 divisions: Research, Diagnostic Lab, Grazier Consultancy and Training divisions.

The company is owned by several shareholders including VHR's Director, Dr. Bruce Chick,B.V.Sc. (Sydney); Dip.Ag.Econ. (UNE, Armidale); Dip.Diag.Path.(Ontario), Specialist Veterinarian (Patho biology). With over 25 years experience in the animal health industry, Dr. Chick has spent significant time in both Australia and overseas studying animal health issues.

Research

In 1989, Veterinary Health Research established an independent research service with extensive facilities specifically aimed at the needs of the animal health industry. Today, the company conducts research projects throughout Australia for many of the world's major animal health companies.

Diagnostic Laboratory

In late 1996, VHR leased the former Regional Veterinary Laboratory owned by the State Government's agricultural arm, New South Wales Agriculture.
Now known as the Colin Blumer Animal Health Laboratory, this facility is one of the few of its type in Australia offering diagnostic and research services in histopathology, parasitology, microbiology and gross pathology associated with a broader research base.

Analytical Laboratory

VHR Analytical Services is a modern, well equipped facility located at 1 Rivett Rd, Riverside Corporate Park, North Ryde in Sydney. The laboratory is led by Dr Des Hennessy having over 20 years experience in the field of anti-parasitic drug pharmacokinetic behaviour with Ms Barbara Curtin as laboratory manager. The facility complements the 'in-animal' studies conducted by Veterinary Health Research at Armidale by specialising in the analysis of pharmaceutical products and metabolic by-products in animal fluids and tissues.

Grazier Consultancy

The company also offers on-farm consultancy services to graziers of the New England region. An agreement has been signed with Stuart and Erica Halliday who, from their base in Walcha, are coordinating the grazier consultancy division.

Training

An educational arm has also been developed which now conducts animal health training programs throughout Australia.

http://abri.une.edu.au

Livestock improvement technology & information

ABRI provides a wide range of services aimed at the needs of modern livestock producers. Our comprehensive breed register software is used by 80 breed associations worldwide with over 35 million animals registered on our database covering 8 different animal species. For beef cattle breeds this is integrated with the BREEDPLAN multi-trait genetic evaluation system.

ABRI is also in the forefront of systems of cattle traceability to meet food safety requirements and has a number of supply management systems in place. Its Saltbush division produces state-of-the-art PC software for individual livestock producers - with full integration to central databases. Dairy Express is an advanced herd recording system for the dairy industry. Eggs enhanced with Omega 3 and vitamins and produced under ABRI's patents are marketed worldwide

http://www.quadrantaustralia.com/

Who are we?

Quadrant Australia is a specialist tour operator, professional conference organiser and fully licensed travel agent. We are members of the Australian Travel Compensation Fund, Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and Agricultural Tour Operators International (ATOI).

What do we do?

Quadrant Australia provides a specialist service catering to a unique market. We work in partnership with many sectors of the agribusiness industry worldwide, to research and deliver high quality study and educational programs tailored to meet the needs of our Australian and international clients.

We also offer a full range of travel services and, as a member of Australia’s largest travel buying group, we have access to a range of cost-effective travel products.

Quadrant Australia has been operating since 1st July 2006 when ANF Agritours and Agtour Australia merged the two companies.

Quadrant Australia has four business divisions:

* Agricultural tourism (inbound and outbound)
* Special interest group travel (inbound and outbound)
* Conference and event management
* Retail travel

The name, Quadrant Australia, is derived from the word ‘quad’, linking our four distinct areas of operation and the word ‘quadrant’ meaning an instrument of navigation.

Our company’s mission is to guide and navigate our clients towards their destination or goals in the most effective and beneficial way.

Quadrant Australia has offices in Armidale, New South Wales and in Brisbane, Queensland. We have a team of specialist staff who will work closely with you and your clients to develop, plan and deliver beneficial, cost effective programs.

Company philosophy — Quadrant Australia seeks to:

* Work in partnership with our clients to develop, plan and deliver beneficial, cost effective study tours, special interest travel and conference programs.
* Endeavour to promote sustainable agricultural, environmental and other practices.
* Respect a nation’s identity and to seek to engage our clients and visitors with the diverse cultures we encounter.
* Work to enhance our environment and to share the culture, landscape and people of Australia with our clients.

Via ABRI – email mailto:office@abri.une.edu.au?subject=Query%20from%20ILRIC

ARCBA was established in 1973 as the peak body representing registered cattle seedstock breeders in both the beef and dairy industries - 33 breed societies are currently members of ARCBA, representing an overwhelming majority of the registered cattle seedstock sector on Australia. ARCBA provides a unified voice for the registered cattle industry in Australia, ensuring that the requirements of registered cattle breeders are adequately considered in regional, state and national forums formulating policy for the cattle breeding industry.

ARCBA's mission is to provide leadership and support to Australia's cattle seedstock industry to produce and market cattle genetics which improve their viability as seedstock producers and the profitability of commercial cattle production. 

http://www.ruralfutures.une.edu.au/index.html

"Learn from the past, try to understand the present and feel inspired to help plan a better future"  Herb Wharton, Aboriginal Elder 

The Institute for Rural Futures is an independent non-profit research centre undertaking applied socio-economic research into rural issues. It was founded in August 2000 as an independent research centre at the University of New England. The Institute incorporates the former Rural Development Centre and is closely associated with two partner research centres: the Centre for Bioregional Resource Management and the Centre for Environmental Dispute Resolution. Both of these organisations are also located on the campus of the University of New England.

The mission of the Institute is to help plan a better future for rural Australia by learning from the past and understanding the present.

The staff of the Institute come from a wide range of backgrounds, including environmental science and natural resource management through to economics, sociology and social work. The Institute is able to use a range of research methodologies, including: GIS and spatial analysis, qualitative research methods, mail and telephone surveys, and statistical analysis. The staff have extensive experience in both policy analysis and community consultation.

The research program of the Institute is concerned with developing a better understanding of the changes that are occurring in rural Australia, and using this understanding to contribute to better social, economic and resource management policy to help rural communities respond to change. The Institute's research program falls into three broad areas: the social impacts of change, the economic impacts of change and the environmental impacts of change.

The Institute for Rural Futures continues a strong tradition at the University of New England in rural socio-economic research and extension carried out by independent non-profit research centres. The first such centre was the Kellogg Rural Adjustment Unit, established in 1976. This became the Australian Rural Adjustment Unit in 1980 and the Rural Development Centre in 1984.

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