Sheep in a paddock.

CSIRO research aims to improve livestock productivity and enhance animal welfare.

Farm management overview

CSIRO is looking at new ways to manage crops, pastures and livestock to maintain high production, reduce costs and ensure the future environmental health of the land.

  • 22 March 2007 | Updated 14 October 2011

Managing farms on a sustainable basis while making a profit is one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture, yet it is one of the most important if our farms are going to continue to provide food and fibre into the future.

Our research

CSIRO conducts farming research throughout Australia, working with farming groups and individual producers to trial and evaluate new ideas and techniques.

CSIRO is working with farmers to trial new ideas and techniques.

Many issues face farmers including:

  • drought
  • salinity
  • pests and diseases.

Our research aims to reduce the effects of these issues by developing more resilient and sustainable management techniques, and preventative technologies.

For example, by looking underground at root and soil interactions we are broadening our understanding of these important ecological relationships that occur on farms.

Farm management systems

We are developing new farming systems to:

  • improve livestock and overall farm productivity
  • help farmers better monitor their livestock and farm assets
  • support a healthy natural environment.

We are also developing:

  • decision support tools and other technologies to help farmers with the economic and social decisions that affect farm management
  • advanced statistical methods to analyse data generated during agricultural research.

Impact of climate change

CSIRO is also reducing the implications of climate change on farms, and how to reduce its negative effects.

Animal production, health and welfare

CSIRO research is:

  • improving animal production and quality
  • investigating novel products from livestock
  • identifying methods of improving animal health and welfare.

Managing pests and diseases

CSIRO is improving the management of risks posed by animal diseases both to trade and production, through:

  • diagnostic services
  • enhanced surveillance
  • the capability to respond to the risks and needs posed by emerging and exotic animal diseases.

Storage

CSIRO is working with the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) to manage biosecurity threats in the post-harvest grains sector and support sustained market growth for Australian products.

Gene technology

Our research involves the use of gene technology to improve the health and production of crop and livestock industries.

Find out more about Farm Management.