Biotech Updates

Agricultural Science at University of Queensland

July 2, 2010

The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia has recently published the booklet Agriculture Science at the UQ. The 100 -page colored publication discusses the development of agriculture in Australia as influenced by the University since 1929 – the first year that the university graduated professionals. Among the achievements recounted in the book include: the development of disease-resistant tomatoes, eggs with high Omega 3 fats and other health benefits, mine rehabilitation, and improved pasture and rice yields for Australian and international farmers.

The book also highlights the changes in the social fabric, with a migration from country to city; and intensified farming practices bringing new problems of salinity, groundwater contamination, introduction of pests and diseases and land degradation. The shift from the overwhelming emphasis on increasing farm production to the development of strategies for profitable farming systems protective of the environment was also underscored.

For details of the book and its access, see  http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=21431