New skills, networks and challenges: the changing face of animal production science in Australia
Dianne Mayberry
A E F , Sue Hatcher B C E and Frances Cowley D E
A CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia.
B Makin Outcomes, PO Box 8358, Orange East, NSW 2800, Australia.
C Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Boorooma Street, North Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
D School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Elm Avenue, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
E All authors contributed equally to this publication.
F Corresponding author. Email: dianne.mayberry@csiro.au
Animal Production Science 61(3) 201-207 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN20115
Submitted: 4 March 2020 Accepted: 31 July 2020 Published: 24 August 2020
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Livestock producers are facing increasing pressure to reduce the environmental and animal-welfare impacts of production, while also managing the challenge of an increasingly variable climate and diminishing resources. This perspective paper highlights the role for animal scientists to contribute to the sustainability of future livestock systems. We argue the need for a broader, more inclusive and more integrated concept of animal science, better connections among scientists, producers, consumers and policy makers, and more support for the next generation of animal scientists. Animal scientists have an important role to play in providing the evidence to support the social licence of livestock production and inform decisions made by policy makers and consumers regarding the production and consumption of livestock products. Animal scientists can also assist producers to adapt to social, environmental and political challenges that affect their livelihoods and the way they farm. Traditionally, animal science has focussed on species- and discipline-specific areas of research such as ruminant nutrition, genetics or reproductive physiology. While this fundamental research remains essential to understand the underlying biology of livestock production and improve production efficiency, it needs to be better integrated into research applied at and beyond the herd or flock level. Systems thinkers who can apply this knowledge across farm, regional and national scales also have an important role in providing information to key decision makers, from farmers to national government. Better engagement with the social and economic sciences can inform how animal scientists and extension services interact with producers to understand constraints to production as well as adoption of new technology and co-develop evidence-based solutions. Underlying this, the demographics of those who study and work in animal science are changing. Australian animal industries require the best and brightest minds to overcome future challenges and engaging these students as the new face of Australian animal science is an essential step towards sustainable future livestock systems.
Additional keywords: consultants, farming systems, graduates, multi-disciplinary.
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