Research a lynchpin of Queensland’s agricultural success

Research and extension work supported by the Palaszczuk Government will drive the innovation that will take Queensland’s agriculture to even greater heights.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the State Budget has highlighted the strength of the government’s commitment to the science of success.

“Through the budget, the Palaszczuk Government will manage over $140 million worth of research and extension in 2022-23 to drive the productivity and innovation in Queensland's livestock, aquaculture, cropping, horticulture, forestry, timber and food processing industries,” Mr Furner said.

“This budget is a bold declaration of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to the science that is backing our farmers’ success,” Mr Furner said.

“We trusted the science during COVID and the result was thousands of lives saved. Our investment in agricultural science and extension will help Queensland farmers to lead the nation and the world.”

Mr Furner said the growth of Queensland’s agriculture sector was a tribute to the quality, commitment and resilience of Queensland’s farmers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite all of the challenges we have seen Queensland agriculture’s Gross Value of Production rise to an estimated $23.54 billion in 2021-22,” Mr Furner said.

“Our research support, which involves both government funding and investment by research partners, plays a key role in helping farmers to trial new varieties, advance technologies and manage pests while they get on with what they do best – growing the world’s best food and fibre.”

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries research sites such as the Leslie Research Facility near Toowoomba play a key role in agricultural research, with laboratories, glasshouses, growth rooms, growth cabinets and seed storage facilities.

“Whether it is screening weeds for herbicide resistance, developing pigeonpea crops or developing online tools to support the broadacre grains industry, our research teams and research partnerships are delivering in better results for Queensland farmers,” Mr Furner said.

ENDS 

Media contact:          Ron Goodman            0427 781 920

Leslie Research Facility projects

• developing new legume crop Pigeonpea
• screening broadacre weed seeds for herbicide resistance genes to educate industry on species shifts due to herbicide use, and strategies to combat these changes 
• quantifying soil constraints
• industry workshops and online tools to support the broadacre grains industry
• Future Drought Fund team - fostering resilience
• world-leading team of biometricians, bioinformatics and statistical analysis specialists who ensure our Crop and Food Science R&D is robust and innovative 
• Grains Quality laboratory - supports cereal grain sector supply chain.

Hosted by Leslie Research Facility

• Entomological research - managing Fall Armyworm in maize
• Barley pathology trials
• DAF, QAAFI, USQ and private industry in R&D projects at DAF-owned Wellcamp Research Farm, Kingsthorpe and Leslie, as well as on grower properties throughout the Maranoa and Downs region 
• QAAFI staff

Leslie weed science team

• map herbicide resistance in key weeds across Queensland grain and cotton farming systems
• quantify impact of growing competitive crops on suppressing weed growth and seed production.
• measure shifts in herbicide resistant weed populations in response herbicide practices.
• integrated weed management across Queensland’s grain and cotton farming systems.
• Develop a soil testing method and decision-making tool to help growers in using residual herbicides.