Institute for Future Farming Systems

The Institute for Future Farming Systems (IFFS) is a world-leader in agricultural research and innovation.
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CQUniversity’s Institute for Future Farming Systems (IFFS) is a world leader in research which delivers practical solutions which are bolstering the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the northern Australia agricultural sector.
With expertise in precision livestock, agricultural education and extension, precision horticulture, precision cropping systems, non-invasive sensors, and agricultural microbial genomics, the IFFS team is committed to working in collaboration with industry to ensure our research addresses the challenges faced by those growing our food and fibre to deliver impact for industry.
With a vast network of industry connections, IFFS researchers work within the regional communities across Queensland especially in the regions surrounding Rockhampton, Emerald and Bundaberg.

The Institute has six research clusters:

  • Agricultural Education and Extension
  • Agricultural Microbial Genomics
  • Non-Invasive Sensor Technologies
  • Precision Cropping Systems
  • Precision Horticulture
  • Precision Livestock Management
Agriculture science research at the Institute for Future Farming Systems

The IFFS team is made up of researchers, higher degree students and professional staff, all with expertise in the major agricultural science discipline fields and a commitment to delivering impact for industry. Click on the names below for more information.

The Institute for Future Farming Systems is also well-equipped with equipment and facilities to support its agricultural researchers.

Belmont Research Station

Owned by the producer-group AgForce, “Belmont” Station is 3260-hectares located 37km north of Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River. It delivers a unique collaborative approach by providing the ideal environment for research into livestock production in the tropics of northern Australia, along with facilities for research and education.

In recent years, research conducted by the PLM team on Belmont Station has focussed on the development and validation of on-animal sensors and other remote technologies to support their adoption by the livestock industries in northern Australia.

Central Queensland Innovation Research Precinct (CQIRP)

CQIRP supports the research of the PLM team through access to wet and dry laboratories and animal pen and grazing facilities. Nutrition laboratories analyse feed quality parameters, including in vitro fermentation and digestibility characteristics. Dry laboratories support the testing and deployment of various on-animal sensors and remote animal monitoring and management technologies.

The animal pen facilities include 30 individual pens for cattle and two group pens equipped with automated feeders that can accommodate 30 to 40 cattle. The pen facilities are supported by capacity to measure methane emissions through greenfeed technology, feed storage and processing.

The site consists of 30 hectares of grazing land for small scale deployment and testing of technologies on a small number of animals prior to larger deployments.

IFFS are a multidisciplinary team of researchers with active research collaborations with researchers in Australia and around the world. IFFS work in partnership with Government and industry organisations, including key partners:

Explore our six research clusters, each driving innovation in agricultural science to support more productive, sustainable, and resilient farming systems.

Agricultural Education and Extension

Driving adoption of new farming practices and technologies by changing the way end-users engage with information by combining innovative methods of education, behavioural psychology and mass communications.

Agricultural Microbial Genomics

Discover how CQUniversity’s Microbial Genomics team is improving livestock health and productivity through gut microbiota research, next-generation probiotics, and sustainable farming solutions.

Non-Invasive Sensor Technology

CQUniversity’s Non-Invasive Sensor team has led the world in the use of near infrared spectroscopy for assessing horticultural produce.

Precision Cropping Systems

The Precision Cropping Systems cluster delivers applied research, training, and industry partnerships to boost productivity and sustainability in northern Australian agriculture.

Precision Horticulture

CQUniversity’s Precision Horticulture team is focussed on improving the productivity and profitability of Queensland’s major horticultural commodities.

Precision Livestock Management

The Precision Livestock Management team leads tech-enabled research to improve productivity, sustainability, and animal welfare in northern Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

Contacts

Institute for Future Farming Systems

Central Queensland Innovation Research Precinct (CQIRP)
Building 361, CQUniversity, 630 Ibis Avenue, North Rockhampton QLD 4701

Professor Amy Cosby, Interim Director
Phone: 0405 824 112
Email: a.cosby@cqu.edu.au

Centre and Institute Research Administration (CIRA) Team
Email: research-cira@cqu.edu.au