The graduates from the Centre, an alliance between Charles Sturt and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, were among the 600 graduates who attended the University's ceremonies in Wagga, which were postponed last year due to COVID-19.

Charles Sturt University PhD graduate Dr Sajid Latif's research has given new insight on how annual pasture legumes can be used to suppress weeds in south eastern Australian farming systems.

His research through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, examined legumes species such as biserrula, serradella, gland, bladder and arrow-leaf clover established as monocultures and as mixed stands.

Looking at both the above-ground competitive traits and the chemical interactions in the soil rhizosphere Dr Latif looked at the suppression of common annual weeds.

He found the choice of pasture species impacted stand establishment, yearly regeneration and weed suppression in pastures, with arrow-leaf clover and biserrula suppressing annual weeds effectively.

"Biomass accumulation in pasture species was found to contribute significantly to the reduction of weed biomass for the majority of species followed by light interception at the base of the canopy," Dr Latif said.

"The results also suggest that plant produced chemical interference is one of the key mechanisms of weed suppression in some of those species, including biserrula and serradella," he said.

Dr Jane Kelly has been awarded her PhD for research examining the prevalence, management and economic impact of seed contamination in sheep carcasses by barley grass.

The findings show the value of proactive and accurately timed integrated weed management strategies for influencing legume pasture composition, reducing barley grass populations and mitigating losses associated with seed contamination in grazing sheep in southern Australia.

Dr Annie Riaz's PhD research through the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Functional Grains at Charles Sturt University, has bridged the gap between what happens in the wheat paddock and the kitchen.

Her study looked at the changes in protein composition and baking characteristics of Australian wheat varieties over the past 150 years.

Dr Riaz said the findings suggest that the typical grain protein content of varieties decreased over time due to a dilution effect caused by genetic selection for increased yields.

"Grain quality was assessed in terms of grain physical quality parameters, protein content and composition, dough rheology and baking quality traits," Dr Riaz said.

"The selection of superior grain quality traits has compensated for the decrease in grain protein, leading to improved bread making quality."

Dr Riaz said there's also potential to further improve protein content to meet market demands.

"Modern Australian wheat varieties have unique quality in terms of colour and protein content and composition which can meet the needs of international market.

"Old varieties with high grain protein content such as Festiguay, Gabo and Timgalen have shown significant association with overlapping genes that can be used in future breeding programs to develop new varieties with higher protein content, to meet the demands of domestic and export market," Dr Riaz said.

Dr Wilson's research examined the impact of hydatid disease on the beef industry in eastern Australia.

As part of her research, Dr Wilson examined data from 1,178,329 cattle slaughtered at a focus abattoir from 2010 to 2018.

She found the geographic distribution of hydatid-infected cattle was wider than previously thought, with losses to the abattoir from 2011 to 2017 of more than $650,000 in downgraded carcases.

"Hydatid disease in beef cattle has important epidemiological and economic impacts on the Australian beef industry," she said.

"Improved knowledge and awareness of hydatid disease among Australian beef producers is required, and practical and cost-effective control measures need to be identified."

Dr William's PhD research was focused on gastrointestinal nematodes in water buffalo, comparing production systems in Australia and Pakistan.

"Globally, water buffalo are a significant dairy production species, producing 10 per cent of the world's milk," Dr Williams said.

"However, the impacts of gastrointestinal nematodes in water buffalo production systems were largely unknown."

The research found gastrointestinal nematodes do not pose a significant threat to animal health and production in water buffalo in either the smallholder cut-and-carry farms in Pakistan, or the extensive grazing farms in Australia.

This contrasts with other ruminant farming systems, such as cattle, where gastrointestinal nematodes are estimated to cost the Australian industry $82 million per year.

The study did find several farm management factors that affected the likelihood of gastrointestinal infection and these factors could be used as critical points for farmers and their advisors to lead to on-farm practice change.

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