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AWEX EMI 1139 +35
Micron 17 1685 +55
Micron 18 1525 +46
Micron 19 1410 +48
Micron 20 1323 +28
Micron 21 1289 +28
Micron 22 1241n +18
Micron 26 592 +17
Micron 28 383 +16
Micron 30 338 +6
MCar 672 -3

On-Farm Research

PROFITABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY IS CRUCIAL TO THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL INDUSTRY.

We invest in on-farm research and development to increase the productivity, profitability and sustainability of woolgrowing enterprises, delivering new knowledge and tools. Partnering with universities, governments, industry bodies, research institutions and other RDCs, we develop scientifically based and proven management practices and innovations for woolgrowers. These new management practices and innovative tools are then fed into AWI’s woolgrower extension and communication programs, addressing the challenges of wool production and increasing the resilience of wool-growing systems.

Our Programs

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Agritechnology

Technology is rapidly changing many areas of agriculture and we work to ensure Australian woolgrowers are on the front foot to take advantage of the latest opportunities.

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Environmental Sustainability

Many Australian woolgrowers are leaders in environmental management, using innovative practices to successfully improve and restore their farm landscapes while increasing their businesses’ profitability and their own wellbeing.

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Flystrike

AWI has in place a proactive, intensive and committed flystrike prevention program.

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Genetics

We invest in sheep breeding research and development, benchmarking and all breeder tools for woolgrowers wanting to monitor, set targets and optimise the rate of genetic gain of their sheep.

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Pest Animals

We invest in vertebrate pest control including direct assistance to community based vertebrate pest control programs and research and development of new and emerging technologies.

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Reproduction & Nutrition

We invest in innovative management tools and guidelines for woolgrowers to increase reproduction productivity and to promote best practise management. 

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Sheep Health & Welfare

We invest in the development of new technologies and information to support woolgrowers in their adoption of best practice management to improve the health and welfare of their wool sheep.

GET INVOLVED IN AWI RESEARCH

Are you interested in industry research and consultation? Do you want to get the most out of your levy dollars? Would you like early access and input to R&D? Learn how you can get involved in AWI projects and be at the forefront of cutting-edge research.

LEARN MORE

Popular Articles

Discover the most read articles from the AWI On-Farm Research team.

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On-Farm Research
Feedbase Options
Choosing the right pasture mix for the enterprise and location is essential, particularly in a more variable climate.
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On-Farm Research
Resilience, Feed Efficiency and Survival
Resilience, feed efficiency and survival (lamb and ewe) are key economic traits that we don’t yet have ASBVs for, and thus not included in indexes. AWI is seeking to build the data required and analysis to support these traits to either have ASBVs or be included in indexes through correlated traits.
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On-Farm Research
Managing Chemical Resistance
The development of insecticide resistance allows individual insects to survive an exposure to insecticide that would kill individuals from a ‘normal’ population, and the more frequent the exposure of an insect to insecticide the faster resistance will develop.
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On-Farm Research
Joining
Rams are high performance animals that work very hard over the joining period. They contribute half of the genetics of their progeny and are the primary drivers of genetic improvement in a flock, so need to be given every opportunity to pass on their genes.
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On-Farm Research
Richard Daugherty, ‘Balala’, New England
Richard Daugherty and Sarah Burrows run a self-replacing Merino flock and Dohne fat lamb enterprise at Balala with regenerative and holistic management.
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On-Farm Research
Lambing
AWI provides woolgrowers with new tools, information and skills to increase the number of lambs weaned across wool growing flocks.
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On-Farm Research
Best Practice Management Courses
AWI provides woolgrowers with new tools, information and skills to manage ewe nutrition and increase the number of lambs weaned across wool growing flocks.
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On-Farm Research
Wool and the Environment
We collaborate with universities and institutions to identify the environmental benefits of wool within the supply chain.
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On-Farm Research
Flystrike Chemicals
Using a chemical from the same chemical group too frequently can exacerbate blowfly chemical resistance. Knowing your chemical groups and rotating them, where practical, is key to maximising the effectiveness of your treatments. Selecting the correct chemical groups for flystrike prevention and treatment will protect the health and welfare of your sheep and save you time and money.
FLYSTRIKE

EDUCATION, EXTENSION AND PROMOTION

Education, Extension and Promotion is one of the pillars of the Flystrike RDEEC Plan. It has an aim of “adoption of best practice strategies to improve lifetime welfare of sheep, reduce reliance on mulesing and support transparency in the supply chain”.

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NATURAL CAPITAL ACCOUNTING

One of our latest on-farm studies has developed a new method of measuring environmental health to enable Australian woolgrowers to track the health of their environment over time.

Read More

Latest Articles

Stay up to date with the most recent research from the AWI On-Farm team and our partners.

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On-Farm Research
Resilience, Feed Efficiency and Survival
Resilience, feed efficiency and survival (lamb and ewe) are key economic traits that we don’t yet have ASBVs for, and thus not included in indexes. AWI is seeking to build the data required and analysis to support these traits to either have ASBVs or be included in indexes through correlated traits.
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On-Farm Research
Feedbase Options
Choosing the right pasture mix for the enterprise and location is essential, particularly in a more variable climate.
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On-Farm Research
Managing Chemical Resistance
The development of insecticide resistance allows individual insects to survive an exposure to insecticide that would kill individuals from a ‘normal’ population, and the more frequent the exposure of an insect to insecticide the faster resistance will develop.
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On-Farm Research
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) facts and resources
FMD represents the greatest disease threat to Australia’s livestock industries and export markets. It has the potential for rapid and extensive spread. An outbreak would stop the export of all cloven-hoofed animals and their products, at least in the short term.
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On-Farm Research
AWI Flystrike Extension Program
AWI’s Flystrike Extension Program supports woolgrowers in improving the lifetime welfare of their sheep, reducing their reliance on mulesing and crutching, optimising chemical use and increasing whole farm profitability through the provision of practical information and tools and access to accredited advisor support.
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On-Farm Research
Flystrike Chemicals
Using a chemical from the same chemical group too frequently can exacerbate blowfly chemical resistance. Knowing your chemical groups and rotating them, where practical, is key to maximising the effectiveness of your treatments. Selecting the correct chemical groups for flystrike prevention and treatment will protect the health and welfare of your sheep and save you time and money.
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On-Farm Research
Dung Beetles
The benefits of dung beetles in a production system are many, including benefits for soil, water and pasture, as well as the biological control of flies.
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On-Farm Research
Natural Capital Accounting
One of our latest on-farm studies has developed a new method of measuring environmental health to enable Australian woolgrowers to track the health of their environment over time..
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On-Farm Research
Breech Modification Procedures
AWI’s investment in welfare improved management practices to reduce the risk of flystrike includes both the development and promotion of non-invasive management practices and support for welfare improved breech modification procedures.
Reproduction & Nutrition

Lambing

Lifting lamb survival is a key priority for the Australian wool industry and offers welfare, profitability and sustainability benefits. AWI provides woolgrowers with new tools, information and skills to increase the number of lambs weaned across wool growing flocks.

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ON-FARM RESEARCH PROGRAMS

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