Developing the KRF as a national sheep research centre
SIBI invested into both people and resources to establish a leading research facility available to be utilised by the broader industry. This work will continue to attract future research and increase collaboration between State Government, academic institutions and industry partners. The KRF is now positioned as an industry-leading facility for professional knowledge that will inform the future of the sheep industry locally and throughout Australia.
KRF operates as a working farm ensuring research undertaken has commercial relevance and is applicable to stakeholders within the sheep industry.
Key trial work undertaken at KRF includes:
• Sensory detection of dam pedigree using blue tooth sensors to determine lamb pedigree
• Sensory detection of feed intake using accelerometers to develop a movement signature for feed intake
• A two phase maternal ewe study, redefining feeding standards regarding intake capacity and energy use for maternal ewes
• The Genetic Resource Flock, providing insight into hard-to-measure traits not able to be measured in commercial flocks, and
• A Breech Strike Resource Flock, evaluated and characterised for production and breech strike resistance.
Key technologies have been built into the management of the KRF, including remote monitoring cameras on tanks and troughs to make it easier to check livestock water supply.