Our Research
The UNE SMART Farms provide a location, infrastructure and other resources to support UNE academics and their collaborators to undertake research. A wide range of multi-disciplinary research is undertaken across the Farms with partners and collaborators.
Areas of research currently being undertaken on the UNE SMART Farms include:
- sheep and cattle genetic and nutrition research
- sheep and cattle methane research
- animal behaviour and welfare research
- pasture management
- natural resource management
- water resource flow research
- native animal research
- agronomy research
- mixed farming systems research
- soil moisture and crop yield mapping
- cattle grazing behaviour research
- pasture variety development
- precision agriculture research
- wildlife and biodiversity monitoring
Current Research Projects
- National Resource Flock Project
On an annual basis, phenotype information is collected along with genotype information on a large number of sheep, providing the the reference population on which genomic prediction can be based. - National Sheep Methane Project (NSMP)
The National Sheep Methane Project (NSMP) is a multi-institutional initiative focused on developing and trialing practical, cost-effective solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions from Australian sheep grazing systems. - Selecting for Methane Efficient sheep
Lambs bred as part of the Resource Flock at UNE SMART Farms are measured for methane production and feed intake to support the development of new breeding values. - Koala Habitat Mapping
Examining how phenological shifts in Eucalyptus leaf chemistry affect koala population dynamics, while developing satellite-based indices for habitat monitoring.
Past Research Projects
- On-animal sensors for monitoring animal health and welfare
An on-animal sensor system which will allow graziers the ability to spatially and temporally monitor their animal’s health and welfare status autonomously. - Alpacas: Guardian Angels for Sheep?
The use of guardian animals to protect another domesticated species has been used globally as a form of predator deterrent. However, there is little scientific based evidence in relation to alpacas as guardian animals. - Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate
The Insect Ecology Lab group are evaluating the impact of a changing climate on ecosystem services particularly in relation to ants and dung beetles. - Biomass Business II
Developing applications for mobile devices such as smart phones for farmers to monitor and manage pasture biomass. - Remote monitoring of livestock
Validating remote monitoring of cattle weights using a new walk over weighing system.. - Low cost remote water tank monitoring using satellites to directly access sensor data
Myriota Global (MG) is a nano-satellite, internet of things (IoT) connectivity solutions developer. MG has developed an ultra-low cost remote Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity platform.
