A beehive, live dung beetles, state-of-the-art methane reduction technology, and even a mini research harvester; these are just some of the things that will be on display for all to see when the University of New England (UNE) sets up in the Woolworths Ag Discovery Pavilion at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this April.
Visitors will be given an insight into some of the most cutting-edge research, innovation and technology impacting the agricultural, environmental and rural health sectors.
Things to look out for:
- Live insects: UNE’s pollination experts will run through some of our latest research, including how native flies are being used to fill the gap left by the varroa mite on the mid-north coast of NSW. We’ll also have dung beetles, live bees and a beehive!
- Bats as natural pest control in Australian vineyards | 7 – 10 April: 2023 Science and Innovation Award recipient, Dr Zenon Czenze, will unpack his latest research into how bats are being used as a form of natural pest control in Australian vineyards.
- Regional mental health | 12 April: Dr Sarah Wayland from the Manna Institute for Regional Mental Health will unpack what UNE is doing to improve mental health and wellbeing in rural, regional and remote Australia.
- Free health checks and ‘Smokerlyzer’ | 10 - 17 April: Come along and receive free blood pressure, pulse and oxygen checks, delivered by our experienced staff from the Faculty of Medicine and Health. Smokers will also be offered the chance to use the 'Smokerlyzer', which is a contraption that measures the amount of carbon monoxide in a smoker’s breath.
- Special specimens on display: The UNE Discovery Team will give visitors a taste of the UNE Natural History Museum by bringing along some of the university’s finest specimens.
- Methane-reduction technology: From breeding more sustainable livestock, to feeding sheep and cattle methane-reducing seaweed – there is so much happening in this space! Come and see how UNE is measuring the methane output of livestock and hear about the innovative work we are doing to reduce emissions.
- Soil your undies project | 14 – 17 April: What can burying our old cotton undies tell us about soil health? A lot, apparently! UNE soil scientists will explain how you can become an at-home soil expert simply by burying your cotton undies.
- Soil health | 6 – 14 April: Dr Oliver Knox, who was the recipient of the 2022 Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year Award and Landcare Australia's 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award, will be available from the 14th – 17th April to talk about his latest research into soil health and soil carbon. Award winning soil scientist, Dr Ivanah Oliver, will also be available to talk about UNE’s latest projects from the 6th – 14th April.
- Mini research harvester: Come and see UNE’s own research harvester. While you’re at it, find out about all of the work we are doing to improve soil and crop health to help growers get the most bang for their buck. We’ll also have live crops on display that are used to study root growth in various soils and conditions.
- Trees on the Tablelands – Find out how UNE is helping to stabilise and restore threatened ecological communities of woodland plants in the New England Tablelands facing threats including clearing, dieback, fragmentation, exotic weeds and overgrazing.
Where will we be?
You can find us in the Woolworth Ag Discovery Pavilion, beside the Cattle Pavilion, near the Plaza Entry and Bus Terminal P5 Pickup and Drop-off, every day between the 6 – 17th April. Visit the Sydney Royal Easter Show website to purchase tickets.
Interview opportunities (for media)
UNE experts can speak on:
- Pollination and beneficial pollinators for food production – Dr Romina Rader (11 – 12 April)
- Soil health and soil carbon – Dr Oliver Knox (14 – 17 April), or Dr Ivanah Oliver (6 –12 April)
- Bats, lowering need for pesticides in vineyards and other crops - Dr Zenon Czenze (7 – 10 April)
- Reducing methane emissions from red meat production – Peter Fitzgerald (11-13 April)
- Regional mental health – Dr Sarah Wayland (12 April)
