Sustainable Farming
Contents
sustainable farming
Introduction
The continuing supply of quality food and fibre is the most fundamental need of all human societies across the globe. From the beginnings of human society, urban consumers have expected farmers to produce quality products at an affordable price. Commonly, the prices received by farmers are a fraction of the price paid by consumers. At times, these farm-gate prices are insufficient to allow the full costs of production (including environmental costs) to be met. Thus, the challenge of farming sustainably has always been difficult – and it remains so.
The University of New England is committed to striving for a more sustainable future.
Why Study Sustainable Farming at UNE?
For over 50 years, the University of New England has been teaching and researching in the area of sustainable farming and related areas of farm management economics, and for the past 35 years in regional resource management. The pioneering teaching and research into agricultural ecosystems by Prof. Bill McClymont and his colleagues has continued on through a range of courses and units where students gain a firm grasp of the many interactions and dependencies within our complex food and fibre production systems.
Courses
Because sustainable agriculture is such a broad and complex area, the study of sustainable farming systems is embedded within many units and degrees at the University of New England.
Undergraduate
Advanced Diploma in Agriculture - not offered to new students in 2011
Bachelor of Agriculture
Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Animal Science
Bachelor of Environmental Science
Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Livestock Science - no longer offered
Bachelor of Natural Resources - no longer offered
Bachelor of Natural Resources/Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning - not offered to new students in 2011
Bachelor of Rural Science
Diploma in Agriculture
Postgraduate Research
Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Resource Science
Master of Rural Science
Postgraduate
Graduate Certificate in Natural Resources
Graduate Certificate in Rural Science
Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources
Graduate Diploma in Rural Science
Master of Agriculture
Master of Environmental Management
Master of Natural Resources
Master of Science in Agriculture
Professional Doctorate in Science
Units
AGRO100 – Agriculture in Practice
AGRO211 – Ecology and Adaptation of Agricultural Plants
AGRO223 – Agricultural Ecology and Crop Physiology
AGRO311 – Plant Protection
AGRO321 – Crop and Pasture Management for Sustainable Agriculture
AGRO422 / 522 – Integrated Weed Management
AGRO514 – Plant Biosecurity
AGSY410 – Problem Solving in Farm Systems
ANPR211 – Animal Production Systems and Products
ANSC120 - Animals in Society
COTT302 / 502 – Cotton and the Environment
COTT303 / 503 – Cotton Farm Systems and Technology Transfer
ECON223 – Farm and Resource Management
EM311 – Land Assessment for Sustainable Use
GRNS300 / 500 – Agronomy of Grains Production
GRNS301 / 501 – Grain Crop Protection
GRNS302 / 502 – Grains and the Environment
GRNS303 / 503 – Grain Farming and the Industry Systems
RSNR110 – Sustaining our Rural Environments
RSNR120 – Sustainable Management and Monitoring of Agricultural and Marine Systems
RSNR403 / 503 – Sustainable Land Management
SOIL220 – Introduction to Soil Science
SOIL310 / 510 – Environmental Soil Science
SOIL311 / 511 – Soil and Nutrient Cycles
Careers
Studying units which have a focus on sustainable farming will equip you to better cope with the ever-changing demands of farming in the 21st century. The need for farming to be profitable whilst conserving and enhancing the natural-resource base poses big challenges. There is an increasing need for graduates to have sensitivity to and knowledge of these challenges that exist in real farming situations and how these issues might be dealt with more sustainably.
Many employers have stated their need for graduates with good communication and problem-solving skills. This is especially the case in complex areas such as sustainable agriculture and resource management. You will gain knowledge of precision agriculture and skills in the use of computer-based decision support tools which are vital for understanding the impacts of climate variability.
Careers include:
- Support of farming enterprises through rural extension services, applied research, consulting and agribusiness firms.
- Working within catchments to advise on more sustainable soil, water and vegetation management.
- Employment by banks that lend to farmers and therefore need graduates with appropriate knowledge and skills.
- Going back to the farm and putting into practice your knowledge of how to farm more $u$tainably.
- Working in the industries which support farming such as plant breeding, seed production, fertiliser sales, irrigation practices, tillage equipment, precision agriculture, remote sensing, etc.
- Caring for the environment by working with agencies that are learning to better manage soil acidity, soil salinity, soil erosion, weed invasions, biodiversity etc.
- Working with and for farmer groups to enhance their capacity to deal with the latest technologies and the ever-changing environmental management challenges.
Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links
Cooperative Research Centres
Among the seven Cooperative Research Centres in which the University is a partner, three are based in Armidale. Those concerned principally with plant, soil and water issues include the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC, the Irrigation Futures CRC, the Viticulture CRC and the CRC for Spatial Information. Those concerned with livestock include the Beef Genetics Technologies CRC, the Australian Poultry CRC and the Australian Sheep CRC.
Affiliated Centres
The University also has a number of affiliated Research Centres whose activities complement the area of Sustainable Farming. They include the Agricultural Business Research Institute, the Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law, the Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, the Centre for Ecological Economics and Water Policy Research, the Centre for Environmental Dispute Resolution, the Precision Agriculture Research Group and the Institute for Rural Futures.
Collaborating agencies
The University is also closely associated with the NSW Department of Primary Industries including the Beef Centre of Excellence, the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit and the new Primary Industries Innovation Centre. Other significant relationships exist with CSIRO Livestock Industries, Plant Industry and Sustainable Ecosystems as well as the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Staff have worked with a wide range of agencies and collaborators including:
• AusAID (Australian Agency for International Development)
• CRC for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity
• Cotton CRC (Australian Cotton Cooperative Research Centre)
• CRC for Australian Weed Management
• CRC for Tropical Plant Protection
• CSIRO Land and Water
• CSIRO Livestock Industries
• CSIRO Plant Industry
• Food and Agriculture Organisation
• International Atomic Energy Agency
• Native Vegetation Advisory Council
• Natural Heritage Trust
• NSW Department of Natural Resources
• NSW Department of Primary Industries
• Queensland Department of Primary Industries
• South Australian Research and Development Institute
• United Nations
• University of NSW
• University of Queensland
• University of Sydney
Regional natural resource management (NRM) organisations
With the establishment of catchment management authorities (CMAs) and equivalent regional NRM bodies throughout Australia, UNE has been quick to form strong collaborations in research, extension and training with many CMAs and equivalent inter-state bodies.
Funding agencies
We acknowledge the following funding bodies/agencies for their past and/or current support of our research activities:
• AusAid
• Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
• Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
• Australian Research Council
• Australian Wool Innovation Limited
• Cotton Research and Development Corporation
• Dairy Australia Limited
• Grains Research and Development Corporation
• Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
• Horticulture Australia Limited
• Land & Water Australia
• Meat & Livestock Australia
• Murray Darling Basin Commission
• Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
• Sugar Research and Development Corporation
Facilities
UNE maintains a wide array of rural properties close to the campus at Armidale and also a mixed farming property at Warialda, the Douglas McMaster Research Farm. Overall, some 5000 ha is managed by the University. Students frequently visit these facilities – some are even within walking distance of the main campus.
A new glasshouse complex will be opened in early 2009.
Contacts
For general and administrative enquiries:
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Help for Students You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE
Future Students can also visit the Future Student site |
For further information about studying Sustainable Farming at UNE:
Dr Nick Reid
Email: nrei3@une.edu.au
Phone: +(61 2) 6773 3400
Research
Go to Sustainable Farming research pages
Some of the academic staff at UNE with a commitment to sustainable farming include:
Dr. David Backhouse – disease management
Mr. Craig Birchall – sustainable grains production
Dr. Graeme Blair – fertilisers and soil fertility
A/Prof. Oscar Cacho – optimal production and environmental outcomes
Prof. Heiko Daniel – studies on soil physical attributes
A/Prof. Richard Faulkner – sustainable irrigation practices
Prof. Peter Gregg – integrated pest management
Dr. Chris Guppy – soil fertility and fertilisers
A/Prof. Geoff Hinch – animal behaviour and welfare
Dr. Keith Hutchinson – soil food web and agricultural ecology
A/Prof. Robin Jessop – sustainable grains production and plant improvement
Dr. Kathy King – soil biology and soil ecology
Dr. Paul Kristiansen – organic agriculture and farming systems
Dr. Lisa Lobry de Bruyn – soil health and adoption of sustainable practices by farmers
Dr. Peter Lockwood – understanding soil contamination and soil chemistry
Prof. Bob Martin – plant breeding, crop agronomy
Dr. Jim McFarlane – reproductive physiology of livestock
Dr. Lily Pereg Gerk – soil microbiology
Mr. Julian Prior – enhancing extension methods
A/Prof. Nick Reid – sustainable land management, ecosystem services
Prof. Jim Scott - sustainable farming
Prof. Brian Sindel – integrated weed management
Dr. John Stanley – integrated pest management and sustainable cotton production
Dr. Nigel Warwick – drought physiology
Dr. Janelle Wilkes – sustainable irrigation practices
Dr. Susan Wilson – understanding soil contamination and remediation
Prof. Iain Young – soil ecosystem function and management