Professor Heather Burrow

Professorial Research Fellow - Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law; School of Environmental and Rural Science; UNE Business School

Heather Burrow

Phone: +61 (02) 6773 3512

Mobile: +61 (0)407 156 865

Email: Heather.Burrow@une.edu.au

Biography

Heather Burrow is a successful senior executive with a national and international profile earned over a 40-year career governing, managing, leading and undertaking innovative and globally-relevant beef research programs that demonstrably value-added the agricultural industries where the research was done. A quantitative geneticist and business professional by training, she is a highly motivated and innovative manager with extensive experience leading multidisciplinary, multi-organisational programs and a research initiator of projects that have delivered improvement of beef cattle across many countries. She is also an effective developer and advocate of new approaches that achieve measurable industry impact from use of new technologies delivered as an outcome of research in developed and developing countries.

Heather is currently employed as a Professorial Research Fellow at the University of New England's Business School and School of Environmental and Rural Science, undertaking ACIAR-funded research-for-development projects in South Africa and Indonesia. She is also a Member of the Independent Steering Committee of the CGIAR Livestock CRP and Chair or Member of three International Advisory Boards focused on livestock research in developed and developing countries. She is probably best recognised for her leadership of the Beef CRC, Australia’s largest integrated beef research program comprising research and industry partner organisations throughout Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Korea, UK, France, Brazil and South Africa (http://www.beefcrc.com/). Since the very successful completion of the Beef CRC contract in 2012 and the wind-up of Beef CRC Ltd in 2014, Heather has undertaken a number of part-time contracts with the University of New England, including Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation at the Institute for Rural Futures and leader of the two major ACIAR- and DFAT-funded projects in South Africa and Indonesia.

Qualifications

  • Graduate, ‘Mastering the Boardroom’ and ‘Company Directors’ Course’, Australian Institute of Company Directors (Sydney, 2013 and 2003 respectively)
  • Master of Business Administration, University of New England (2009)
  • Graduate, Senior Executive Program, University of Melbourne (2006)
  • PhD - Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of New England,  (1998)
  • Postgraduate Certificate - Animal Breeding and Genetics, UNE (1991)
  • BA, University of NSW, Sydney (1976)

Awards

  • Fellow, Australian Society of Animal Production (Perth, 2006)
  • Fellow, Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (Napier NZ, 2013)

Teaching Areas

Primary Research Area/s

tropical beef production and genetics; beef business performance; agricultural practice change

Research Interests

Research Supervision Experience

Publications

(Since 2010)

  • Burrow Heather (2020) Strategies for increasing beef cattle production under dryland farming systems. Indonesian Bulletin of Animal and Veterinary Sciences 29:4 DOI:10.14334/wartazoa.v29i4.2452
  • Burrow Heather M, Mans Ben J, Cardoso Fernando F, Birkett Michael A, Kotze Andrew C, Hayes Ben J, Mapholi Ntanganedzeni, Dzama Kennedy, Marufu Munyaradzi C, Githaka Naftaly W and Djikeng Appolinaire (2019) Towards a new phenotype for tick resistance in beef and dairy cattle: a review. Animal Production Science 59, 1401-1427  (https://doi.org/10.1071/AN18487).
  • Strydom Phillip, Burrow Heather, Thompson John, Polkinghorne Rod (2019) Do demographic and beef eating preferences impact on South African consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for graded beef? Meat Science 150, 122-130 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0309174018304133).
  • Burrow Heather, Nengovhela Baldwin, Scholtz Michiel, Spies David, Strydom Phillip, Tjelele Julius and Villano Rene (2018) High quality markets and value chains for small-scale and emerging beef cattle farmers in South Africa. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Final Report LPS/2005/128, 57pp.
  • Dizyee K, Baker D, Herrero M, Burrow H, McMillan L, Sila DN and Rich KM (2018) The promotion of amaranth value chains for livelihoods enhancement in East Africa: a systems modelling approach. African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
  • Reverter A, Porto-Neto LR, Fortes MRS, Kasarapu P, de Cara MAR, Burrow HM and Lehnert SA (2017) Genomic inbreeding depression for climatic adaptation of tropical cattle. Journal of Animal Science 95: 3809-3821.
  • Burrow HM, Wolcott ML, Maiwashe A, Makgahlela ML, Hayes BJ, Rees JG and Bradfield MJ (2017) Can grazing livestock in developing countries benefit from use of genomic selection? Proceedings 22nd Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics Conference, JE Vercoe Memorial Invited Presentation, 8 pp., available online at http://www.aaabg.org/aaabghome/AllProceedings.php
  • Makgahlele ML, Mapholi NO, Burrow HM and Maiwashe A (2017) The genetic architecture of tick resistance. Proceedings International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TropAg 2017), Brisbane.
  • Nengovhela NB, Nephawe KA, Mohlapo TD, Sebei J, Mashiloane ML, van der Westhuizen HC, Burrow HM, Strydom PE, Jordaan F, Maiwashe A, Selele MN, Mahlathi Y and Mokholoane TB (2017) Growth potential of Nguni, Bonsmara and Bonsmara cross cattle to meet free range branded beef specifications. Proceedings 50th South African Society of Animal Science Congress, Port Elizabeth.
  • Burrow HM (2016) The role of the Afrikaner in developing Belmont Red and Tropical Composite cattle in Australia. In: ‘The Afrikaner Breed of Cattle: South Africa’s Heritage for Food Security’, Editors: MM Scholtz, FWC Neser and L Tissier. Chapter 5, 22-29.
  • Burrow HM (2016) Opportunities and challenges for beef production in tropical and subtropical environments. In: ‘The Afrikaner Breed of Cattle: South Africa’s Heritage for Food Security’, Editors: MM Scholtz, FWC Neser and L Tissier. Chapter 15, 74-82.
  • Mmbengwa Victor, Nengovhela Nkhanedzeni, Ngqangweni Simphiwe, Spies David, Baker Derek, Burrow Heather and Griffith Garry (2016) Developing new value chains for small‐scale and emerging cattle farmers in South Africa. Proceedings in System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks 2016DOI 2016: pfsd.2016.1626, pp. 223-228, available online at http://www.centmapress.org
  • Myeki L, Mmbengwa V, Nengovhela NB, Bhullar N, Burrow H, Coventry W and Griffith G (2016) Efficacy of new smallholder poultry farmers to run profitable enterprises. Proceedings 49th South African Society of Animal Science Congress. P. 105, Stellenbosch.
  • Burrow, HM (2016) Can genomics reduce the need for phenotypes? Proceedings 49th South African Society of Animal Science Congress. Invited speaker, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
  • Burrow HM (2016)Increasing genetic gains in livestock in developing countries.’ Invited speaker, USAID & Gates Foundation ‘Developing Countries Forum’, Plant and Animal Genomics Conference, January 2016, San Diego, USA.
  • Dizyee, K, Baker D, Rich KM, Fleming E and Burrow HM (2016) Applying system dynamics to value chain analysis. Proceedings 60th Annual Conference of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, 2-5 February 2016, Canberra.
  • Mmbengwa V, Nengovhela NB, Ngqangweni S, Spies D, Baker D, Burrow H and Griffith G (2016) Developing new value chains for small-scale and emerging cattle farmers in South Africa. Proceedings 10th International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks, 15-19 February 2016, Igls, Austria
  • Griffith GR and Burrow HM (2015) The value of research: using the Impact Tool to evaluate realised and anticipated benefits of the Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies. Perspective on Animal Biosciences Series - Animal Production Science, 55: 133-144.
  • Porto-Neto LR, Reverter A, Prayaga KC, Chan EKF, Johnston DJ, Bolormaa S, Goddard ME, Hawken RJ, Fordyce G, Garcia JF, Sonstegard TS, Burrow HM, Henshall JM, Lehnert SA and Barendse W (2014) The genetic architecture of climatic adaptation in tropical cattle. PLOS ONE DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113284.
  • Burrow HM (2014) Genetic aspects of cattle adaptation in the tropics. In ‘The Genetics of Cattle’ 2nd Edition (Eds. DJ Garrick and A Ruvinsky), CAB International, Chapter 23, pp. 571-597.
  • Burrow HM (2014) Northern Australian beef production. In ‘Beef Cattle Production and Trade’ (Eds. DJ Cottle and LP Kahn), CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. ISBN Hardback 9780643109889, ePDF 978064310896, epub 9780643109902, Chapter 9, pp. 161-184.
  • Wolcott ML, Johnston DJ, Barwick SA, Corbet NJ and Burrow HM (2014) Genetic relationships between steer performance and female reproduction and possible impacts on whole herd productivity in two tropical beef genotypes. Special Edition of Animal Production Science 54: 85-96.
  • Barwick SA, Johnston DJ, Holroyd RG, Walkley JRW and Burrow HM (2014) Multi-trait assessment of early-in-life female, male and genomic measures to use in genetic selection to improve female reproductive performance of Brahman cattle. Special Edition of Animal Production Science 54: 97-109.
  • Burrow HM and Henshall JM (2014) Relationships between adaptive and productive traits in cattle, goats and sheep in tropical environments. Proceedings 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Invited Paper 044-9213, 8 pp. available on-line at https://asas.org/wcgalp-proceedings/genetic-improvement-programs-selection-for-harsh-environments-and-management-of-animal-genetic-resources
  • Burrow HM (2014) Options for capacity building and scaling out through IndoBeef. Discussion paper IndoBeef design workshop. (17 pages)
  • Griffith GR, Pollock KS and Burrow HM (2013) How did we go? Revisiting the ex-ante economic impact assessment of the CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies as at the cessation of funding. Australasian Agribusiness Review 21(5): 83-100.
  • Burrow HM (2013) Impact of Beef CRC technologies on the efficiency of beef production. Proceedings of the 2013 Graham Centre Beef Forum Invited Keynote Paper, Charles Sturt University pp. 6-15.
  • Barwick SA, Johnston DJ, Holroyd RG, Walkley JRW and Burrow HM (2013) Female, male and genomic measures for use in genetic selection to improve lifetime weaning rate of Brahman cattle. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 20: 307-310.
  • Burrow HM (2012) Importance of adaptation and genotype x environment interactions in tropical beef breeding systems. Animal Special Issue on ‘Sustainable Animal Production in the Tropics’ 6(5): 729-740.
  • Burrow HM, Nation D and Rowe J(2012) Applied genomics for sustainable livestock breeding. Special Issue Animal Production Science 52 (2-3): i-ii.
  • Burrow HM (2012) Value of Beef CRC genomics research for developing countries. Keynote address - International Society of Animal Genetics 33: S0102.
  • Burrow HM (2012) How Australia changed its approach to funding (food and agricultural) research. Keynote address - Proceedings American Society of Animal Science ‘Innovate 2012’ Conference Oct 3-5 2012, Shell Beach CA, USA, available at http://asas.org/membership-services/meetings-and-conferences/previous-meetings/innovate-2012
  • Burrow HM, Griffith GR and Pollock K (2012) Beef CRC Exit Report – Economic, social and environmental impacts of three Beef CRC terms (1993-2012). Submission to Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, 61 pages + 19 appendices.
  • Burrow HM (2012) Using genetics and genomics to improve productivity and profitability of beef businesses. Keynote address – Proceedings World Brangus Conference, Rockhampton Australia, May 2012.
  • Burrow HM and Banks RG (2011) Increasing uptake of genetic technologies across the beef value chain. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 19: 391-398.
  • Burrow HM (2011) The role of genetics in improving productivity and profitability of northern beef production systems. Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association 2011 Yearbook pp. 45-46.
  • Burrow HM (2011) Mission Critical technology in livestock genomics. Proceedings Australasian Industrial Research Group National Meeting, Lancefield, Victoria, Feb-March 2011, p.13.
  • Hawken R, Zhang Y, Fortes M, Collis E, Reverter-Gomez A, Barris W, Johnston DJ, Fordyce G, Holroyd RG, Tier B, Burrow HM and Lehnert S (2011) Dissecting the genetics underlying reproduction rate in tropically adapted beef cattle. Proceedings ‘Applied Genomics for Sustainable Livestock Breeding’, 2-5 May 2011, Melbourne, p.4.
  • Burrow HM, Nation D and Rowe J (2011) Sir Mark Oliphant International Frontiers of Science and Technology Conference Series, Conclusion of Conference Report. International Science Linkages Program through the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (25 pp)
  • Burrow HM, Nation D and Rowe J (2011) MLA Final Report ‘Applied Genomics for Sustainable Livestock Breeding’ Conference. (8 pp.)
  • Burrow HM (2011) ‘Improving productivity of beef businesses and compliance with beef market specifications using genetic technologies.’ Discussion paper as the basis of an industry delivery workshop to scope the Beef CRC extension bid (22 pp.)
  • Burrow HM (2010) Achieving adoption and innovation in Australia’s beef industry. Animal Production Science 50: 418-423.
  • Burrow HM (2010) Relative importance of adaptation and genotype x environment interactions in tropical beef breeding systems. Advances in Animal Biosciences Volume 1, Issue 02: 371-372.
  • McDermott JJ, Rich KM, Gebremedhin B and Burrow HM (2010) Pathways from poverty through value chains and innovation. In ‘The Role of Livestock in Developing Communities: Enhancing Multifunctionality’, (Swanepoel F, Stroebel A and Moyo S, Eds.) University of the Free State and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, Chapter 9, pp.151-169.
  • Thompson JM, Polkinghorne R, Gee A, Motiang D, Strydom P, Mashau M, Ng’ambi J, de Kock R and Burrow HM (2010) Beef palatability in the Republic of South Africa: implications for niche-marketing strategies. ACIAR Report No. 72.
  • Burrow HM (2010) ‘Beef genetics discussion paper’. A discussion paper for Beef CRC partners aimed at identifying new funding opportunities for ongoing beef genomics research and industry delivery (49pp.)
  • Burrow HM (2010) Pursuit of beef quality. In ‘Japan and Australia: Enhancing the Beef Partnership’, Australia-Japan Foundation, page 7.
  • Burrow HM (2010) Livestock: Practical abatement and mitigation. Proceedings 2010 National Farmers’ Federation National Congress – ‘Modern Farmers: Responding and Adapting to Change’, p.6.
  • Burrow HM (2010) Use of DNA markers in Australian and Indonesian cattle herds. Proceedings Australia-Indonesia Agriculture and Food Security Workshop, Canberra, Australian Academy of Science and RISTEK, p. 21

Clinical Skills and Experience

Memberships

Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics

Australian Society of Animal Production

American Society of Animal Science

Consultancy Interests

Community and Advocacy Organisation Collaborations

Related Links

Further Information