Latest News at QAAFI

Latest News at QAAFI section

Expedition to Hawaii An account of Dr Craig Hardener's Churchill Fellowship expedition to Hawaii in search of the original plantings of macadamias introduced to the region in the late 1800s.
Training centre for 'next generation' food scientists 29 May 2013 A new Australian Research Council (ARC) backed training initiative has started at UQ – the Industry Transformation Training Centre (ITTC).
Tasty new banana trials look promising 23 May 2013 THE team tasked with protecting Australia’s $450 million banana industry reports that trials are providing horticulture scientists with invaluable long-term data likely to benefit both growers and consumers.
Pacific taro set to take on the world 23 May 2013 AUSTRALIAN research into the ‘best’ varieties of taro could open new markets and create greater food security in the Pacific region says a University of Queensland scientist.
Ag Science Medal to Prof. Graeme Hammer 26 March 2013 QAAFI's Professor in Crop Science, Graeme Hammer, is honoured with the prestigious Australian Medal of Agricultural Science.
UQ-DAFF expertise underpins $4 million Gates grant for drought-resistant sorghum program 14 March 2013 QUEENSLAND Premier Campbell Newman has today announced a $4 million international collaboration to improve sorghum productivity under drought conditions.
Global warming affects crop yields – but it’s the water not the heat! 4 March 2013 THE effect global warming will have on plants is now better understood thanks to advanced modelling provided by UQ’s Professor Graeme Hammer, one of Australia’s leading crop scientists.
Chancellor's Award for QAAFI Operations Manager 22 Feb 2013 Melissa Glendenning, QAAFI's Operations Manager, has been awarded the UQ Chancellor's Award for Individual Excellence.
Boosting food quality and supplies in the South Pacific 21 Feb 2013 In a first for Fiji and the South Pacific, a new vegetable research project has been launched to identify strategies to strengthen food production and manufacture in the region.
One sorghum gene to feed the world? 20 Feb 2013 UQ scientists have identified a sorghum gene which could lead to development of more digestible feedstocks for farm animals, and much-improved nutrition for some of world’s poorest nations.
Fields of gold for better vision 24 Jan 2013 THE HEALTH BENEFITS of eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables are well recognised, but consuming two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables a day might be even more beneficial thanks to a research partnership between QAAFI and the Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Research to increase vegetable production in the South Pacific and Australia 18 Dec 2012 New vegetable research into protective cropping in the South Pacific islands and Australia could help overcome challenges posed by climate and global food security.
World first seafood flavour wheel 12 Dec 2012 This Christmas, food lovers will be able to describe the unique regional flavours of their seafood with a sophisticated new sensory vocabulary, which forms part the world’s first seafood flavour wheel.
Fiji vegetable farming shown to have real potential 6 Dec 2012 Australian horticultural researchers are helping Fijians to produce a regular source of high quality vegetables to boost supplies in the community as well as in tourist and international markets.
World-first crop production forecasting technology for Queensland 30 Nov 2012 A new way of capturing crop area information will change the way industry forecasts cropping production across Queensland, and other States.
South Pacific cocoa growers rate their own beans 19 Nov 2012 With assistance from two Australian chocolate companies, the Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI) cocoa project recently produced single origin chocolate bars from samples collected throughout Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, allowing farmers to taste the fruits of their labour for the first time.
Ameliorating pain in beef cattle 2 Nov 2012 -- MLA stipend for PhD student research project
UQ Ag science at the forefront of Australia’s Asian Century 2 Nov 2012 -- The University of Queensland is well advanced in the nation's quest to be a major stakeholder in the new Asian Century, a leading QAAFI scientist said today.
Govt throws support behind UQ biofuels research 29 Oct 2012 -- QAAFI will lead second-generation research efforts to mass produce competitively priced biofuels with a $1 million Queensland Government project grant.
Alliance to beef up research across northern Australia 16 Oct 2012 -- Queensland Premier Campbell Newman joined with scientists from The University of Queensland, the Queensland Government and the CSIRO to launch a new research alliance designed to help boost the fortunes of the $5 billion northern beef industry.
Fibre caught trafficking antioxidants in the colon 15 Oct 2012 -- World-first study discovers that fibre binds up to 80 per cent of cancer-inhibiting antioxidant polyphenols in fruit and vegetables, thereby protecting the antioxidants from early digestion in the stomach and small intestine.
Trial strawberry variety shows exciting health potential 16 Sep 2012 -- A Queensland strawberry-breeding program has uncovered what could become the nutritional power-berry of the strawberry industry.
Macadamia disease management R&D moves under QAAFI umbrella 10 Sep 2012 -- TWO UQ scientists will lead a new team protecting Australia’s $ 120 million macadamia industry from damaging plant diseases.
People’s Choice and Runner Up at Trailblazer 5 Sep 2012 -- Prof. Robert Henry and Dr Agnelo Furtado took away two awards at the Trailblazer final last night in front of a large and distinguished audience of academics, lawyers and investment managers.
Bread and babies are biggest winners from UQ Trailblazer competition 27 Aug 2012 -- The top two prizes in UniQuest's annual Trailblazer innovative ideas competition at The University of Queensland have been won by a genetic discovery that could help feed up to a billion people and a safer way to monitor the breathing of premature babies.
China’s diabetes' challenge beckons leading polymer chemist 7 Aug 2012 -- The People's Republic of China has honoured one of Australia's most experienced polymer chemists with a new research posting.
QAAFI holds key to a sustainable future 26 July 2012 -- MORE than 120 delegates from across the agriculture/food sciences and industry attended QAAFI’s annual research meeting at the Gold Coast on 10–11 July.
Next-generation cattle vaccines expected to save the industry millions 19 July 2012 -- QAAFI and UQ scientists are pressing ahead with development of two advanced vaccines that stand to save the Queensland cattle industry more than $360 million a year.
2012 ‘Farrer Memorial Oration’ 10 July 2012 -- Download Professor Graeme Hammer’s 2012 ‘Farrer Memorial Oration’
$3 million for Qld agriculture research 5 July 2012 -- Queensland agriculture receives a $3 million boost to support research collaborations between The University of Queensland (UQ) and agricultural industries.
Northern cattle herd destined to become bigger and better 21 June 2012 -- The Queensland Government has injected $1.5 million into a $9 million UQ co-ordinated research program that will deliver state-wide returns for northern beef producers.
Prestigious agriculture award for QAAFI plant scientist 7 June 2012 -- A leading QAAFI plant scientist has been awarded one of Australia’s most prestigious agriculture awards, the Farrer Memorial Medal.
Your “inner peanut” -- the start of something bigger? 5 June 2012 -- QAAFI and American scientists have developed a quick, new, low-cost way of monitoring the moisture content of peanuts in the shell.
UQ scientists target mango skin for fat-reduction 31 May 2012 -- UQ scientists have discovered that two common mango varieties contain natural compounds that may help to fight flab.
QAAFI adjunct Professor to head Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration 25 May 2012 -- QAAFI adjunct Professor John Skerritt will soon head the Canberra based Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Sorghum scientists - out of Africa 18 May 2012 -- Two sorghum plant breeders from sub-Saharan Africa visited Queensland recently to share and learn knowledge and breeding lines with Queensland scientists.
QAAFI scientist receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant 10 May 2012 -- QAAFI announced today that it is a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
QAAFI links with India’s seed capital 4 May 2012 -- QAAFI Director, Professor Robert Henry, officiated at three key events in the Indian seed capital of Aurangabad on 23 April.
Protecting Australia's Favourite Fruit 26 April 2012 -- A QAAFI-led team has developed a comprehensive research program aimed to protect Australia's $450 million banana industry.
International experts concerned over plight of wild-rice reserves 16 April 2012 -- AN INTERNATIONAL meeting of plant breeders, genetic specialists and commercial growers has cautioned that Australia’s world-significant bounty of naturally occurring rice relatives is being under-utilised in current crop-breeding programs.
Model virus family attracts international attention 13 April 2012 -- An expert UQ plant virologist has distinguished himself by co-editing and contributing chapters to an authoritative new reference work, detailing one of the world’s most hotly studied virus families.
Improved summer pulse yields to help Australia’s northern neighbours 10 April 2012 -- A three-year research effort by UQ and Qld Government scientists to improve summer yields in Australian pulses will benefit some of Indonesia’s poorest farmers.
Researchers monitor dryland peanuts for Aflatoxin risk 27 Feb 2012 -- Good canopy growth in peanut crops following recent rainfall may mean increased risks of foliar diseases or stress-related aflatoxin contamination further into the growing season in the event of a dry spell.
Liver structure could hold the key to battling diabetes 7 June 2011 -- Our liver could be a major springboard for determining life-changing diabetes diagnosis and treatment thanks to a world-first discovery by an Australian-Chinese research team.
QAAFI appointee to promote benefits of high-impact science 10 Feb 2012 -- QAAFI has appointed a Cornell University Business School graduate with impeccable agribusiness credentials to raise awareness of the commercial benefits of science within Australia’s vital food and agriculture sectors.
US Navy here to talk biofuels 7 Feb 2012 -- THE United States Navy's Director for Operational Energy today visited The University of Queensland for discussions on UQ's world-leading biofuels research.
Australia’s sheep are naturally itching for tea tree’s good oil 7 Feb 2012 -- QAAFI scientists have discovered that one of Australia’s best known folk remedies might help to alleviate the sheep industry’s biggest headache.
Predicting Crop Yields Seeds International Interest 6 Feb 2012 -- UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) has bolstered its growing reputation for high-impact science by co-developing innovative new crop technology in consort with one of the world’s biggest seed companies.
Early action tipped to save tonnes of Aussie avocados 27 Jan 2012 -- Researchers at UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Food and Agriculture (QAAFI) have acted swiftly to ensure Australia’s next $180 million avocado crop won’t be crippled by a fungus.
Fresh hopes for anti-microbial potential from Aussie native plants 9 Jan 2012 -- QAAFI and Queensland Government scientists have discovered promising new anti-microbial properties in a combination of natural-plant ingredients, including two common native Australian plums.
World-first discovery of hybrid sharks off Australia's east coast 22 Dec 2011 -- A group of leading marine scientists has discovered that sharks on Australia's east coast display a mysterious tendency to interbreed, challenging several accepted scientific theories regarding shark behaviour.
Communicating the difference 10 Jan 2012 -- Introducing QAAFI summer scholar Nurul Safwanah Noor Azmi
Northern Australia’s most un-wanted fallow 20 Dec 2011 -- One of Australia’s most experienced weed specialists has been appointed to lead a weed-busting team of top Australian scientists, targeting the six most damaging cropping weeds in north-eastern Australia.
Scientists find "outback" rice has genes to tackle climate change 19 Dec 2011 -- A QAAFI-led team has discovered that an ancient relative of rice contains genes that could potentially save food crops from the devastating effects of global warming.
Climate-change models underestimate farm profits 26 Sep 2011 -- A research scientist at The University of Queensland has warned that climate change could have a significantly greater impact on farming profits than on the yield of individual crops.
Game-Changing Biofuel Partnership Moves Up A Gear At QAAFI 23 Sep 2011 -- An international alliance to produce an economically viable, low-emission biofuel is moving into the scientific fast lane at The University of Queensland.
Bovine specialist takes up role as director of Centre for Animal Science Sep 2011 -- Professor Stephen Moore has taken up his role as Director of QAAFI’s Centre for Animal Science (CAS).
Cattle ticks do battle against unique control measure 15 Aug 2011 -- Australian scientists believe they may be a step closer to finding a cattle tick vaccine that could save the national beef and dairy industries approximately $175 million per annum and reduce the need for pesticides.
Scientists to Savour SA Seafood’s Sensory Signatures 3 Aug 2011 -- Wine lovers already appreciate the differences that occur between brands, grape varieties variety and regions. A new project will take this concept and try and unlock the signature flavours for some of Australia’s most iconic seafood.
Inaugural QAAFI ARM: UQ Institute excels in tropical and subtropical agricultural research arenas 22 July 2011 -- The inaugural Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) Annual Research Meeting (ARM) held on Brisbane’s Sunshine Coast this week (20 - 21 July) celebrated the inroads already being made by Australia’s first tropical and subtropical agricultural research Institute.
Livestock industries set to benefit from new animal science leader 18 July 2011 -- The appointment of Professor Stephen Moore as Director of the Centre for Animal Science at The University of Queensland (UQ) is set to inject enormous value into research conducted on behalf of Australian and international livestock industries.
Geneticists seek the mother of all macadamias on the Gold Coast 4 July 2011 -- The DNA OF rare and endangered macadamia species will soon be fingerprinted in an effort to determine the original wild tree or trees that launched the global macadamia industry.
New international university partnership to boost biofuels research and development 27 June 2011 -- Two of the world’s leading research universities, The University of Queensland (UQ) and Clemson University in the USA, have signed a research agreement today that will result in invaluable collaboration in biofuels research and development.
QAAFI appointment to enhance crop research capacity 21 June 2011 --The appointment of Professor Graeme Hammer as Director of the Centre for Plant Science (CPS) at the University of Queensland (UQ) will underpin a fresh approach to agri-science research that aims to develop more productive and sustainable crop plants for tropical and subtropical environments
Espresso Yourself! - Scientists delve into what consumers really want from coffee 1 June 2011 -- What makes a good cup of coffee? That’s the question Queensland Government and University of Queensland taste researchers are delving into by matching consumer’s preferences to the flavours of a variety of coffee beans.
Australian nanovaccine to offer protection against country’s worst cattle virus 5 May 2011 -- A WORLD-FIRST VACCINE based on nanotechnology could provide protection from the *Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV), which costs the Australian cattle industry tens of millions in lost revenue each year.
First Australian glyphosate resistant broadleaf weed confirmed 5 April 2011 -- EIGHT POPULATIONS of flax-leaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) have been confirmed resistant to glyphosate in northern NSW and southern Queensland. This is the fifth weed species to be confirmed resistant to glyphosate in Australia in the past 10 years, with four being found in the past three years, and is the first glyphosate resistant broadleaf weed found in Australia.
Food security boost likely from unique maize-legume project 21 March 2011 -- QUEENSLAND SCIENTISTS are leading an international food security research collaboration that aims to increase crop production by 30 per cent and reduce crop failures for 500,000 African farmers.
Australian honey proves to be a powerful anti-bacterial treatment 1 March 2011 -- HONEY SOURCED FROM AN AUSTRALIAN native myrtle tree has been found to have the most powerful anti-bacterial properties of any honey in the world and could be used to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections that commonly occur in hospitals and nursing homes.
Research collaboration to deliver healthier grains 11 Feb 2011 -- The University of Queensland's newest institute, the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), is part of a national effort to fast-track development of new ‘healthier' varieties of three of the world's most widely cultivated cereal grains.
QAAFI supports innovative future for food and agriculture 13 Nov 2010 -- The newly-formed University of Queensland research Institute, the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), is proud to support the first New Rural Industries Australia (NRIA) Conference to be held from 28 to 30 November 2010 at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast.
New era for Queensland agriculture and food research 21 Oct 2010 -- QUEENSLAND’S POSITION as an international leader in tropical and sub-tropical agriculture and food research has been given a boost by today’s launch of The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation (QAAFI).

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