Davies Livestock Research Centre

Students working with livestock

The Davies Livestock Research Centre delivers excellence in animal science to ensure the sustainable productivity and livestock wellbeing

We conduct multi-disciplinary research to answer scientific questions and respond to industry challenges with the end goal of optimising animal productivity, product quality and wellbeing. Our centre brings together experts in animal breeding, genomics, bioinformatics, physiology, nutrition, neurobiology, maths, physics and engineering.

From 2026–2030, our focus is on driving innovation through major long-term research programs that address climate resilience, sustainable beef and sheep production, and advanced technologies for welfare, productivity, and meat quality. Supported by the JS Davies Bequest and strong industry partnerships, we are uniquely positioned to translate world-class research into practical impact.

Explore our research

We bring together advances in technology and knowledge to improve sustainable animal productivity, welfare and the quality of food for consumers.

Engage with us

We collaborate with producers, processors, government, and industry partners to deliver real-world impact and shape the future of livestock industries.

Contact us

Explore the Davies Livestock Research Centre

We work across the University, industry, and international networks to deliver research that addresses livestock wellbeing, productivity, and sustainability. Our approach combines biological and quantitative sciences to deliver both discovery and adoption-focused outcomes.

From genome assemblies of major cattle breeds to climate-resilient sheep production systems, the Centre is advancing both the science and practice of ruminant livestock production.

Our core research strengths include:

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Genomics and bioinformatics

Developing genomic tools and machine learning platforms to accelerate genetic progress in cattle and sheep.

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Animal productivity and reproduction

Strategies to improve lamb survival, maternal productivity, and reproductive efficiency.

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Sustainability and environment

Methane abatement, pasture utilisation, and long-term climate resilience trials in sheep and cattle.

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Meat and wool science

Commercialisation of Miniprobe for meat quality, optimisation tools for processors, and innovation in biological shearing technologies.

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Animal health and welfare

Objective measures of pain, improved control of Mycoplasma infections, and vaccine development for major livestock diseases.

Specialist services include advanced computational tools, objective meat quality assessment, and virtual reality training in cattle handling.

Key achievements (2020–2025) include:

Health

New methods for culturing microorganisms and developing vaccines for livestock diseases.

Welfare

First demonstration of chronic pain in livestock, and development of pain assessment tools.

Genomics

Genome assemblies for major breeds, genomic tools for Wagyu and Merino industries, and establishment of commercial in vitro embryo production.

Sustainability

Methane reduction in grazing and feedlot cattle, ecological impacts of rabbit control.

Innovation

Miniprobe development for lamb quality, value-based marketing tools for processors, and new enzymes for wool harvesting.

Looking forward, anchor programs from 2026–2030 include precision sheep management, resilient sheep production systems, southern beef productivity, and commercialisation of meat quality technologies.

Learn about and connect with our highly experienced data science experts.

Professor Wayne Pitchford

Director Davies Livestock Research Centre
Email: wayne.pitchford@adelaide.edu.au

Professor Wayne Pitchford

Our staff:

  • Chantal Barrass – Research Support Officer
  • Billie-Jaye Brougham
  • Bobbie Emilia Lewis Baida
  • Caitlin Alexandra Evans
  • Cynthia Bottema
  • Danila Marini
  • Darren Koopman
  • Darren Trott
  • David Peacock
  • Farhid Hemmatzadeh
  • Forbes Donald Brien
  • Gebremeskel Mamu Werid
  • Hue Thi Do
  • Jena Gianna Alexopoulos
  • Karen Kind
  • Kelly Ren
  • Kellie Wenham
  • Leesa-Joy Flanagan
  • Kiro Petrovski
  • Mandi Carr
  • Mariana Caetano
  • Mark Hutchinson
  • Mark Nottle
  • Mary McQuillan
  • Matthew Denton
  • Megan Tscharke
  • Mehar Khatkar
  • Michelle Hebart
  • Milton McAllister
  • Phil Hynd
  • Rachael Withers
  • Robert McLaughlin
  • Roy Kirkwood
  • Ryan O'Handley
  • Sarah Weaver
  • Sean Michael Miller
  • Penny Schulz
  • Stephan Leu
  • Tong Chen
  • Wai Yee Low
  • William Van Wettere
  • Yohannes Equar Messel
  • Stephen Lee
  • Yongliang Qiao

We collaborate with national and international industry bodies, including Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, Dairy Australia, Australian Pork Limited, Australian Lot Feeders Association, and more. Partnerships with government, producers, processors, and international research organisations ensure adoption and global relevance of our work.

For information about the Davies Livestock Research Centre contact Chantal Barrass or Wayne Pitchford.

Contact us

Davies Livestock Research Centre

For information about the Davies Livestock Research Centre contact Chantal Barrass or Wayne Pitchford.

Location

Location
Davies Livestock Research Centre
Adelaide University
Roseworthy Campus, SA, 5371

Telephone

Phone: +61 8 8313 7871

Email

Email: chantal.barrass@adelaide.edu.au or wayne.pitchford@adelaide.edu.au