Livestock innovation and welfare

Our research focuses on:

• increasing flock weaning rates by improving lamb survival
• mitigating the negative effects of heat stress
• understanding nutrition during the peri-conception period, on offspring phenotype and life-time performance.

We train veterinarians, embryologists and students in reproductive technologies. Our development specialties are:

• artificial insemination, including semen collection and testing
• assisted reproduction and cloning techniques
• oocyte/embryo manipulation, including ICSI, embryo splitting, and transfer
• ovarian dynamics using ultrasound imaging.

Our commercial work includes:

• developing and applying JIVET and mature in-vitro embryo transfer (MIVET) techniques
• utilising OPU and IVF in cattle
• providing media required for in-vitro culture of embryos and for embryo transfer.

Our team is recognised for producing Australia's first transgenic sheep with modified wool, and Matilda, the original cloned Merino sheep.

We explore the genetic control of trait performance at a DNA level. Our outcomes and services include:

• gene discovery and genotyping
• genome-editing
• linking gene function with phenotype
• developing tools to analyse gene expression.

Understanding genetic determinants in livestock can be applied to modify commercially significant production traits. This supplements the conventional tools available for livestock improvement, based on quantitative genetics.

Our commercial work includes:

• genotyping for the sheep industry
• developing tools to objectively measure red meat eating quality.