|
|
The newly-established Murdoch University Centre for Production Animal Research is applying to become a Western Australian Centre for Excellence for research into the commercial production of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and horses.
 The Centre -- located within Murdoch's Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences -- is currently submitting its proposal to the Centres of Excellence Programme.
The application is strengthened by the Centre's existing research links with the University of WA, Agriculture WA, Curtin University and the CSIRO. Centre Directors Associate Professors David Hampson and David Pethick said basing a Centre for Excellence at Murdoch University would provide a much-needed Statewide focus.
"Our current research strengths make us an ideal candidate for a Centre for Excellence," said Professor Hampson.
"The Murdoch Centre for Production Animal Research already possesses a broad range of expertise in animal nutrition, biochemistry, microbiology, virology, parasitology, epidemiology, public health, animal health, welfare and production," he said.
"Examples of current projects include research into stomach ulcers and post-weaning diarrhoea in pigs, swine dysentery, dietary control of marbling fat in steers, the reduction of dark-cutting beef, causes of wet litter and reduced egg production in chickens, footrot in sheep and the use of tagasaste as a cattle food."
Professor Hampson said many of these core research projects involved interdisciplinary collaboration and complemented the activities of various other Murdoch research groups including the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC) and the Institute for Molecular Genetics and Animal Disease (IMGAD).
"A new State-based Centre for Excellence would concentrate even more effectively on developing ways to improve the quality and safety of animal products in Western Australia," agreed Professor Pethick.
"Clearly, it is only by producing a quality product which the consumer wants that WA can remain truly competitive, both nationally and internationally."
Professor Pethick added that a truly State-based Centre would also, and most importantly, provide much-needed support for local industry.
"By carrying out research into disease control, improved production systems and new nutritional strategies, the new Centre will add value directly to the WA livestock industry," he said.
"It will also enhance the State's export opportunities through quality and disease control in livestock exports."
 |
| It was hoped that as a State-based Centre for Excellence, the Centre would gain an increasingly high profile on a national and international basis. |
|
Professor Pethick said the existing Centre's current work in these areas already helped give national consumers greater confidence in the quality and safety of animal products, thereby ensuring local markets for the State's animal products.
"The Centre also provides an important training ground for students and industry personnel, and a valuable consultancy service to industry," he said.
In 1997 the Centre for Production Animal Research attracted approximately $500,000 in external research grants.
The current research team consists of 14 staff from Murdoch, Agriculture WA and UWA.
Eight research students are working in association with the Centre.
The mission of the Centre for Production Animal Research complements its application to become a Centre for Excellence and consists of the following criteria:
- to develop and promote excellence in research and teaching in animal production and health;
- to foster research collaboration in this important area, within the Division, the University and other WA organisations;
- to attract new outside funding and research staff and students; and
- to provide a clearly-defined and well-supported focus for research activities in the Division.
Professor Hampson said it was hoped that as a State-based Centre for Excellence, the Centre would gain an increasingly high profile on a national and international basis.
"Other States have moved to consolidate and develop collaborative research groups in animal production so as to dominate applications for support for national research," said Professor Hampson.
"We believe we will be able to compete favourably with these other groups and attract a substantial portion of the available national funds. The alternative would be to progressively fall behind, despite our individual efforts and research record.
"We also intend to develop a higher profile in South-East Asia, as well as maintaining and extending our current research links with collaborators in the United States, Europe, Asia and New Zealand."
|