THE University of New England last week unveiled its Australian-first research facilities, the $7 million Centre for Animal Research and Teaching.
UNE chancellor John Watkins said the new facilities represented a significant expansion of Australian research capabilities for the UNE and industry alike.
“The large animal facility is unique in Australia, containing 10 large respiration chambers providing an exceptional environment for UNE researchers to study in particular, gas exchange and greenhouse gas production in individual cattle,” he said.
“The research conducted in the Large Animal Facility has very broad applications from measuring methane emissions, to monitoring aspects of feed conversion efficiency and energy waste.
“More animals have been through this facility since its construction than through all cattle calorimetric facilities in Australia in the past 50 years, with UNE researchers taking the lead in a number of research projects through government and industry collaboration.”
The Centre for Animal Research and Teaching includes a multi-million dollar imaging facility, which houses a CAT scanner. It also has a scanning electron microscope and a 3D scanner, for use in plant and animal biology research.
Vice-chancellorJim Barber said the new facility was a major achievement as part of the university’s strategic focus on research and training within the agriculture sector.
“This investment will ensure that UNE continues to be the university of choice for students wishing to study agriculture, with enrolments growing an incredible 57 per cent over the past three years,” Professor Barber said.
