Program times are listed in AWST. To convert program times to your timezone, CLICK HERE
Program times are listed in AWST. To convert program times to your timezone, CLICK HERE
Sunday 31 January 2021 | Student Workshop Day, brought to you by
Student Masterclass Day | ||
1100-1230 | Virtual Student Masterclass | Online |
1300-1500 | In-person Student Masterclass | Rottnest Room, The Esplanade Fremantle by Rydges |
1500-1515 | Afternoon Tea | Rottnest Room, The Esplanade Fremantle by Rydges |
1515-1700 | In-person Student Masterclass continues | Rottnest Room, The Esplanade Fremantle by Rydges |
1730-1930 | Welcome Reception – CANCELLED | Upstairs, Bathers Beach House 47 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160 |
Monday 1 February 2021 | Industry Focused Day brought to you by
1000-1230 | CONCURRENT SESSION | ||
#1 When data from new technology really drives decisions – POSTPONED Pleiades/Orion Rooms Chair: Esther Jones |
10.00- 11.25 | #2a Beef Production Rottnest Room Chair: Dr Di Mayberry |
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1000-1050 | Challenging your own sheep reproduction paradigm – POSTPONED Dr Caroline Jacobson interviews farmer and WALRC Chair Tim Watts to unpick the lamb survival story on Tim’s farm at Pingelly, through thorough data analysis. Caroline explores the surprises and the on-farm changes at the fingertips when data delivers the full story. They also play with some scenarios, such as what the data tells us would change if Tim moved his system to terminal sires. |
Introduction | |
Evaluating the economic consequences of alternative management strategies for beef producers in northern Australia Dr Maree Bowen Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries |
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Increasing age of steer turnoff improves the profitability of beef business in northern Australia Dr Lindsey Perry Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries |
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Comparison of walk-over-weight and yard weighing of Angus weaner heifers grazing drought-affected pasture Dr Flavio Alvarenga NSW Department of Primary Industries |
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1050-1140 |
What do we do with the reality of DEXA? – POSTPONED With the DEXA system scheduled for installation at WAMMCO on February 15, this has the potential to accelerate selection for Lean Meat Yield – and maybe as a consequence play havoc with Eating Quality. According to Prof Graham Gardner it all comes back to what breeders will do with sire selection and performance recording; and how commercial producers use that information. Graham is joined by WAMMCO’s Rob Davidson and producers Rivers Hyde and Tom Bull, together with sheep reproduction scientist Dr Andrew Thompson to establish what needs to happen on-farm to take full advantage of this new technology. |
What is the value of information about animal health in the Australian beef supply chain? Yue Zhang University of New England |
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FutureBeef webinars – an effective tool for promoting beef industry research Nicole Sallur Department of Primary Industries |
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Stretch break | |||
11.25 – 12.35 | #2b Mixed Ruminant Nutrition Rottnest Room Chair: John Piltzs |
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Growth rates and carcase characteristics of lambs fed pelletised diets during finishing Dr Shawn McGrath Charles Sturt University |
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1140-1230 |
How big is the optimal beef cow? And have EBVs driven a confusing set of behaviours in this quest? – POSTPONED Introduced by Prof David Pethick. Cow size has been increasing – some say by 100-150kg since the 1970’s. This is associated with the drive for increased growth which is of course is very important for feed efficiency both at pasture and in the feedlot. How does a breed and the Industry handle this issue? |
Feeding unsalable carrots to Merino lambs in a total-mixed ration maintains wool yield and staple strength Daniel Forwood, attendance sponsored by Australian Wool Education Trust The University of Queensland |
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Dual-purpose crops fill the winter feed-gap in prime lamb systems in Northern Tablelands NSW and reduce flystrike incidence Dr Lucy Watt CSIRO |
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The value of chaff from grain crops as a source of summer feed Dr Dean Thomas CSIRO |
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Brassica as summer feed for lambs in southern New South Wales Dr Rebecca Stutz CSIRO |
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Digestibility of varying levels of African yam bean in cocoa pod husk based diets fed to West African Dwarf Sheep Prof Aloysius Ausaji Ayuk University of Calabar |
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1230-1330 | LUNCH + EXHIBITION brought to you by | Southern Cross Lobby, brought to you by ![]() |
1330-1435 | CONCURRENT SESSION | ||
1330-1450 | #3 The hard questions about regenerative agriculture – POSTPONED Pleiades/Orion Rooms Chair: Esther Jones |
1330-1450 | #4 Sheep Production Rottnest Room Chair: Dr Sue Hatcher |
1330 – 1340 | Welcome back from lunch – announcements and virtual interactions. | Session Introduction | |
1340-1455 |
Does Regen Ag increase profitability and improve sustainability? And does the science that advocates it stack up? – POSTPONED UWA agronomist Dr Megan Ryan calls on the expertise of NZ soil scientist Doug Edmeades, CSIRO’S Professor John Kirkeguard and WA DPIRD Research Scientist Dr Sarah Collins to unpick if chemical fertilisers are destroying our soil health and if so-called ‘conventional’ farming practises will deliver the necessary levels of soil carbon? In this segment, we allocate ample time for audience Q&A and encourage producers to call on the science to help navigate their future farming decisions. |
South Australian Livestock Consultants (SALC) successfully supports independent, commercially-focused service providers as state-funded agricultural extension services transition to ‘user pays’ models Dr Sean Miller University of Adelaide |
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Lamb lean meat yield and eating quality workshop – A supported learning program Elke Hocking Elke Hocking Consulting |
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Could faecal moisture score be used to help select against DAG score in sheep? Aaron McMillan University of New England |
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Impact of ewe genotype on sire breeding values in genetic evaluation of Merino body composition and components of reproduction Dr Suzanne Mortimer NSW Department of Primary Industries |
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Financial implications of confinement feeding pregnant ewes during early winter to improve pasture and sheep management, a case study using myFARMSMART Lucy Anderton, Tanya Kilminster LA.ONE economics & consulting |
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Lamb Mortality – Do producers really know? Kayla Kopp Charles Sturt University |
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1450-1500 | Move to Pleiades/Orion Rooms | ||
1500-1515 | DAY 1 CLOSING PLENARY – Pleiades/Orion Rooms – POSTPONED Chair: Esther Jones |
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1500-1515 | What are the research gaps to progress from today’s discussion? – POSTPONEDPSTPONED MLA’s David Beatty reflects on what’s been discussed and how this might inform our next wave of levy investment. |
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1515-1545 | AFTERNOON TEA + EXHIBITION | Southern Cross Lobby | ||
1830-2230 | Conference Dinner – Pleiades/Orion Rooms, brought to you by ![]() |
Tuesday 2 February 2021 | Production Efficiency & Global Food Security
0700-0730 | Registration Open – Southern Cross Lobby |
PLENARY SESSION – Pleiades/Orion Room, brought to you by ![]() Chair: Sarah Blumer |
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0730-0805 | McClymont Keynote A perspective on animal welfare of grazing ruminants and its relationship with sustainability Dr Jordana Rivero Rothamsted Research Presented with Professor Michael Lee Harper Adams University ![]() ![]() |
0805-0835 | ![]() How feeding livestock now has global implications: what does this mean for priority research questions? Professor Maggie Gill, OBE, FRSE University of Aberdeen |
0835-0850 | Keys to innovation in animal science: genomics; big data; and collaboration Professor James Rowe Professor of Animal Science, University of New England |
0850-0905 | New skills, networks and challenges: the changing face of animal production science in Australia Dr Dianne Mayberry Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO |
0905-0930 | Discussion on The Changing Face of Animal Sciences |
0930-1000 | MORNING TEA + EXHIBITION | Southern Cross Lobby |
1000-1200 | CONCURRENT SESSION | ||
10.00 – 12.00 | #5 Meat Processing Technology & Feedback Pleiades/Orion Rooms Chair: Dr Robin Jacob brought to you by ![]() |
#6 Ruminant Nutrition Rottnest Room Chair: Dr Luis Prada E Silva |
#7 Genetics & Reproduction Carnac/Garden Rooms Chair: Dr Johan Greeff |
Introduction | Introduction | Introduction | |
Lamb Supply Chain Group: A conduit for collaboration, co-investment and innovation Bruce Hancock formerly Primary Industries and Regions SA |
Cow Milking Order Consistency and Its Influence on Access to Pasture and Milk Production in A Pasture-Based Automatic Milking System Dr Saranika Talukder University of Melbourne |
Preparing for MSA score in lamb: What are the drivers of variation? Dr Daniel Brown University of New England |
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Quantifying disease and defect carcase losses at processing to improve feedback in the lamb supply chain: An arthritis case study Paige Mazoudier Charles Sturt University |
The effects of technological feed emulsifier on feed mill productivity Angelique Torres Philchema, Inc. |
Performance of Angus weaner heifers varying in RFI-feedlot EBVs grazing drought-affected pasture Dr Flavio Alvarenga NSW Department of Primary Industries |
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New measures are important for pricing beef carcasses Professor Wayne Pitchford University of Adelaide |
Methyl-donor supplementation effect on pregnant cows fed poor-quality tropical forage Dr Gonzalo Martinez Fernandez CSIRO |
Demonstrating the value of genetic improvement in the Australian dairy industry Dr Joanna Newton Agriculture Victoria |
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Long term repeatability of beef DEXA lean meat yield measures Dr Honor Calnan Murdoch University |
Manipulation of neonatal rumen populations at birth results in sustained effects on microbial populations and measures of health and production in Merino and Suffolk lambs Dr Emma Greenwood University of Adelaide |
Targeted extension to improve genetic gain by region is now possible Luke Stephen NSW Department of Primary Industries |
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Non – invasive measurement of lamb carcase fat depth using a portable microwave system Dr Jayaseelan Marimuthu Murdoch University |
The effects of feeding plantain and ryegrass-clover pasture on urinary nitrogen composition of dairy heifers Dr Long (Paul) Cheng University of Melbourne |
Short Break | |
Cleaning up our cattle: Shining new light on an old practice Farrah Preston University of Adelaide |
Diet selection and productivity of cattle grazing Leucaena leucocephala–grass pastures in response to seasonal variations in forage quality and availability Kylie Hopkins QLD Department of Agriculture & Fisheries |
Preliminary genetic analysis of wool-shedding ability in sheep Dr Sarita Guy University of New England |
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Integrated system to assist producers meet market specifications Dr Malcolm McPhee NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Transition management of dairy cattle: New insights Adj. Professor Ian Lean SCIBUS |
New genomically enhanced reproduction breeding values for Merino sheep allow targeted selection for conception rate, litter size, and ewe rearing ability Associate Professor Kim Bunter University of New England |
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Potential predisposing factors for ecchymosis in the intercostal muscles of sheep at slaughter in South Australia Leesa-Joy Flanagan University of Adelaide |
Evaluating the risk of residues of the toxin indospicine in bovine muscle and liver from north-west Australia Professor Mary Fletcher University of Queensland |
Classers successfully combine structural traits with assessments of live weight and wool quality when visually classing sheep at Pingelly MLP site but should account for birth and rear type Dr Bronwyn Clarke Murdoch University |
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Prediction of dressing percentage and retail meat yield of goats Dr Paul Greenwood NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Feed intake is regulated by metabolic mechanisms in young wethers fed diets deficient in crude protein and phosphorus David Innes University of Queensland |
The benefits of carcass EBVs for pasture finished cattle are not as great as Long fed Professor Wayne Pitchford University of Adelaide |
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Student Video Presentations | Student Video Presentations | Student Video Presentations | |
1200-1300 | LUNCH + EXHIBITION | Southern Cross Lobby |
1300-1500 | CONCURRENT SESSION | ||
13.00 – 15.00 | #8 Sheep Production Pleiades/Orion Rooms Chair: Dean Thomas brought to you by ![]() |
#9 Metabolism Rottnest Room Chair: Emeritus Professor David Pethick |
#10 Animal health & disease management Carnac/Garden Rooms Chair: Caroline Jacobson |
Student Video Presentations | Student Video Presentations | Student Video Presentations | |
Factors influencing the optimum mob size of ewes at lambing and the economic benefit of lambing ewes in smaller mobs to increase lamb survival across southern Australia Dr Amy Lockwood Murdoch University |
Individual-level correlations of rumen volatile fatty acids and methane emissions in genetically low and high methane yield sheep fed pasture in four repeated seasons Dr Arjan Jonker Agresearch Ltd. |
Benchmarking Australian sheep parasite control practices- A national online survey Dr Alison Colvin University of New England |
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Repeatability of sheep body condition scoring Dr Gordon Refshauge NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Automated feeding of sheep 1: Changes in feeding behaviour in response to restricted and ad libitum feeding Dr Ralph Behrendt Agriculture Victoria |
Plasma activities of antibodies against Haemonchus contortus antigen in Merino sheep exposed to natural helminth infection in a Mediterranean environment Prapawan Krommarin, attendance sponsored by Australian Wool Education Trust University of Western Australia |
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Impacts of the Lifetime Ewe Management training program on the Australian sheep industry Associate Professor Andrew Thompson Murdoch University |
Measuring nitrogen use efficiency in cattle from stable isotope ratios in hair Dr Diogo Costa Central Queensland University |
Epidemiological and economic impacts of hydatid disease in the Australian beef industry Cara Wilson Charles Sturt University |
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Profitability of mating maternal composite and Merino ewe lambs John Young Farming Systems Analysis Service |
Meta-analysis of the association between oil supplementation, enteric methane emission and productivity of ruminants Dr Amelia Almeida University of New England |
The aetiology of clinical bovine mastitis and their antibiotic resistance profiles in Western Australia dairy farms Dr Josh Aleri Murdoch University |
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Clover disease across southern Australia what we know now Dr Kevin Foster University of Western Australia |
Differences in triiodothyronine and thyroxine are influenced by sire and diet and are associated with dry matter intake and body composition in adult Merino wethers Dr Colin Byrne Murdoch University |
Prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis in a Southern NSW feedlot during high and low risk periods for bovine respiratory disease Rebecca Barnewall Charles Sturt University |
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Sheep management practice change in Western Australia 2011-2018 Janet Conte Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development |
Physiological benefits of copper methionine hydroxy analogue chelate added to broiler diets measured against an antibiotic growth promotor Matthew Bekker Novus |
Evaluating the in vivo efficacy of dry chicory (Cichorium intybus) roots for growth promotion and faecal egg count reduction in naturally parasitized pigs Dr Ifeoma Nwafor Central University of Technology, Free State |
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Morphological changes in the reproductive tract of ewes after long-term feeding with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L) Dr Dominique Blache University of Western Australia |
In vitro gas production of hydroponic green forage from corn, oat, and barley seed Dr O E del Razo-Rodríguez Universidad Autonoma Del Estado De Hidalgo |
Effect of selenium supplementation on productive performance and antioxidant status in broilers in heat stress: a meta-analysis and meta-regression Dr A P Zepeda-Velazquez Universidad Autonoma Del Estado De Hidalgo |
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Investigating the magnitude and timing of reproductive wastage in ewe lambs Dr Tom Clune, attendance sponsored by Australian Wool Education Trust” Murdoch University |
Can nitrogen isotopic fractionation estimate urinary nitrogen excretion in small ruminants? Hassan Khanaki Melbourne University |
Prolonged heat stress lasting longer than 3 weeks can negatively impact sheep physiology and growth performance Aleena Joy University of Melbourne |
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Refining ewe body condition score for region, season, breed and responsiveness Amy Bates Charles Sturt University |
Administration of low and high doses of heparin causes changes in plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration in Merino and Terminal sired lambs Dr Sarah Stewart Murdoch University |
Effect of isoquinoline alkaloids and betaine supplementation on haematological properties and betaine distribution of heat stress pigs Hieu Huu Le University of Melbourne |
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Rethinking flock age structures whilst accounting for within flock selection Jessica Richards NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Effects of soluble protein to insoluble protein ratios in low nitrogen diet on growth performance and nitrogen metabolism of fattening Hu sheep Zhenbin Zhang Yangzhou University |
A method for low stress, large volume, serial blood collection of cattle Dr Chris Petzel Graham Centre for Agriculture Innovation |
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1515-1715 | CANCELLED – Networking & Nibbles (optional) – This is a ticketed event (please purchase your ticket prior to arrival in Fremantle) |
Wednesday 3 February 2021 | Production Efficiency & Global Food Security
0700-0730 | Registration Open – Southern Cross Lobby |
PLENARY SESSION – Pleiades/Orion Rooms, brought to you by ![]() Chair: Sarah Blumer |
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0730-0735 | Welcome |
0735-0805 |
Barnett Memorial Lecture Ensuring new technologies such as virtual fencing are welfare-friendly Dr Caroline Lee |
0805-0835 |
Dr Hayley Norman |
0835-0900 |
Presentations of Hall of Fame & Life Members Michael Campbell |
0900-0905 | Launch 2022 Conference |
0905-0915 | Short Break – move rooms |
0915- 1000 | CONCURRENT SESSION | ||
09.15 – 10.00 | #11 Animal Welfare & Monitoring Pleiades/Orion Rooms Chair: Teresa Collins brought to you by ![]() |
#12 Meat Quality & Human Health Rottnest Room Chair: Claire Payne |
#13 Reproduction Carnac/Garden Rooms Chair: Dr Sue Hatcher |
Influences of enrichment on feedlot cattle behaviour and productivity Dr Emma Dunston-Clarke Murdoch University |
Selection for increased visual muscling increases carcass leanness without compromising predicted Meat Standards Australia eating-quality index Dr Brad Walmsley NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Preliminary analysis of the colostrum quality curve in Merino ewes Bianca Agenbag University of Adelaide |
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Leadership and Social Facilitation of a Virtual Fence in Beef Cattle Dr Hamideh Keshavarzi CSIRO |
Prediction of eating quality of lamb loin using Raman Spectroscopic technologies Dr Stephanie Fowler NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Impacts of a heavier live weight at breeding on the morphology of mammary glands of non-dairy ewe lambs Emmanuelle Haslin Massey University |
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Pain in response to mulesing Merino lambs can be detected through facial action units, activity and time spent with dam Dr Serina Hancock Murdoch University |
Relationship between animal age and meat tenderness using survival analysis Dr Tharcilla Alvarenge NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Observations of Merino ewe parturition behaviour and lamb survival Dr Alyce Swinbourne University of Adelaide |
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The effect of shade on GPS collar-recorded temperature and grazing behaviour of heifers during summer in the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory Dr Kieren McCosker NT Department of Primary Industries |
Networking groups (online or in-room) | Puberty in north-Australian tropically-adapted beef heifers Dr Shannon Landmark QAAAFI |
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1000-1030 | MORNING TEA + EXHIBITION | Southern Cross Lobby |
PLENARY SESSION – Pleiades/Orion Rooms | |||
1435 – 1445 | Student Video Competition winners announced | ||
1445 – 15.10 |
Closing Keynote & Conference Close Emeritus Professor David Pethick |
AG Institute Australia members will earn 5 CPD points per day.
Program times are listed in AWST. To convert program times to your timezone, CLICK HERE
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