$7m dairy research centre opens at Gatton

A $7 million dairy research centre focusing on subtropical dairy production has opened at the University of Queensland’s Gatton campus.

A collaboration between UQ and the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, the centre combines UQ’s Gatton Research Dairy with DEEDI’s dairy research facilities in an updated, more energy-efficient centre.

The focus of the centre will be research, development, extension and education in subtropical dairy production, making it particularly relevant for farmers not only in the Gatton region - where around 60% of the state’s dairy farms are located - but also in northern New South Wales.

“It is the only facility of its kind in Australia focused on a subtropical feed base and it will provide research, development and education for the national and international dairy industries,” UQ Pro-Vice-Chancellor Alan Rix said in a media release from UQ.

“The Gatton Research Dairy will be able to provide expertise in the areas of nutrition, forage production, business management, reproductive management, animal health and welfare, animal physiology and biochemistry,” Professor Rix said.

The Managing Director of Agri-Science Queensland, John Chapman, said, “We plan to undertake research and development into a number of areas, including enhanced and sustainable subtropical and tropical feeding systems, adaptation to climate change and dairy business development, and education and training programs.

“The goal is to develop on-farm strategies designed to improve the productivity and profitability of the dairy industry in Queensland.”