Pasture Science- UWA

Summary

MLA, along with GRDC and The CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, funded a 5 year project at The University of Western Australia to revitalise pasture science in Western Australia in relation to undergraduate teaching and postgraduate supervision. The project funded a Lecturer Level B at the University of Western Australia. During the course or the project ~130 undergraduate students were trained in pasture science, 13 postgraduate students were supervised, 9 journal papers and 10 conferences papers were published and greater than $1 million dollars of additional research funds obtained. 
A focus on development of native perennial species for pastures has resulted in substantial on-going research activity, with Cullen australasicum entering a section/breeding program as part of a Future Farm Industries CRC project. A number of postgraduate students are working on this species, as well as other promising native perennials from the Cullen genus and other exotic new perennial pasture legumes. In particular, there is a focus on the drought tolerance of these species. Many species show promise for development as drought tolerant perennial pastures for the lower rainfall areas of the wheatbelt. Another area of focus, decline of subterranean clover pastures, is also producing interesting results, with two PhD students to finalise their studies over the next 12 months. As the holder of the lecturing position, Dr Megan Ryan, successfully applied for promotion to Level C, the pasture science lectureship has now become a permanent position at The University of Western Australia and will provide on-going benefits to industry from training of undergraduate and postgraduate students and research outcomes.