Sustainable Farming
The continuing supply of quality food and fibre is the most fundamental need of all human societies across the globe. From the beginnings of human society, urban consumers have expected farmers to produce quality products at an affordable price. Commonly, the prices received by farmers are a fraction of the price paid by consumers. At times, these farm-gate prices are insufficient to allow the full costs of production (including environmental and social costs) to be met. The challenge for agribusiness and government is to develop value chains from farm to plate that provide appropriate reward for each link, are socially responsible, and maintain or enhance the agricultural, value-adding and consumer environments.
The University of New England is committed to a more sustainable future, and developing graduates who can successfully balance the needs of society, the economy and environment in meeting the food and fibre needs of a rapidly changing planet.
Why Study Sustainable Farming at UNE?
For over 50 years, the University of New England has been teaching and researching in the area of sustainable farming and related areas of farm management economics, and for the past 35 years in regional resource management. The pioneering teaching and research into agricultural ecosystems by Prof. Bill McClymont and his colleagues has continued on through a range of courses and units where students gain a firm grasp of the many technological, economic, social and environmental interactions and dependencies within our complex food and fibre production systems.
Because sustainable agriculture is such a broad and complex area, the study of sustainable farming systems is embedded within many units and degrees at the University of New England. Bachelor of Agriculture Bachelor of Science with Honours Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Doctor of Philosophy AGRO100 - Agriculture in Practice Studying units which have a focus on sustainable farming will equip you to better cope with the ever-changing demands of farming in the 21st century. The need for farming to be profitable whilst conserving and enhancing the natural-resource base, and sustaining farming families and local and regional communities, poses big challenges. There is an increasing need for graduates to have sensitivity to and knowledge of these challenges that exist in real farming situations and how these issues might be dealt with more sustainably. Many employers have stated their need for graduates with good communication and problem-solving skills. This is especially the case in complex areas such as sustainable agriculture and resource management. You will gain knowledge of precision agriculture and skills in the use of computer-based decision support tools which are vital for understanding the impacts of climate variability. Among the seven Cooperative Research Centres in which the University has been and is a partner, two are based in Armidale, while one was based in Armidale until its term recently ended. Those concerned principally with plant, soil and water issues include the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC (term ended in 2012), the CRC for Irrigation Futures (term ended in 2010), the Viticulture CRC (term ended in 2007) and the CRC for Spatial Information. Those concerned with livestock include the Beef Genetics Technologies CRC (term ended in 2012), the Poultry CRC and the CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation. The University also has a number of affiliated Research Centres whose activities complement the area of Sustainable Farming. They include: The University is also closely associated with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, including the Beef Industry Centre, and the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit. Other significant relationships exist with CSIRO and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. Staff have worked with a wide range of agencies and collaborators including: With the establishment of Local Land Services (LLSs) and equivalent regional NRM bodies throughout Australia, UNE has been quick to form strong collaborations in research, extension and training with many LLSs and equivalent inter-state bodies. We acknowledge the following funding bodies/agencies for their past and/or current support of our research activities: UNE maintains a wide array of rural properties close to the campus at Armidale and also a beef feedlot at Kingston (Tullimba'). Overall, some 4500 ha is managed by the University. Students frequently visit these facilities – some are even within walking distance of the main campus. The University has a state of the art glasshouse complex, opened in early 2009. For information on our research activities, please visit the pages of the Sustainable Farming group.Undergraduate
Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Law
Bachelor of Animal Science
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Environmental Science
Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of GeoScience
Bachelor of Rural Science
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of ZoologyBachelor Honours
Postgraduate Coursework
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science
Graduate Diploma in Science
Master of Environmental Science and Management
Master of Science in Agriculture
Master of Scientific Studies Postgraduate Research
Master of Environmental Science
Master of Rural Science
Master of Science
AGRO211 - Identification and Adaptation of Agricultural Plants
AGRO223 - Agricultural Ecology and Crop Physiology
AGRO311 - Plant Protection
AGRO321 - Crop Production
AGRO422/522 - Integrated Weed Management
AGRO514 - Plant Biosecurity
AGSY300 - Grazing Systems
AGSY410 - Problem Solving in Farm Systems
AGSY430 - International Agricultural Systems
ANPR211 - Animal Production Systems and Products
ANSC120 - Animals in Society
COTT300/400/500 - Applied Cotton Production
COTT301/ 401 /501 - Cotton Crop Protection
COTT202/302/402 - Cotton and the Environment
COTT203/303/403 - Cotton Farm Systems and Technology Transfer
ECON223 - Farm and Resource Management
GRNS300/400/500 - Agronomy of Grains Production
GRNS301/ 401 /501 - Grain Crop Protection
RSNR110 - Sustaining our Rural Environment I
RSNR120 - Sustaining our Rural Environment II
RSNR303/503 - Sustainable Land Management
SOIL222/ 422 - Soil Science
SOIL311/511 - Productive Soil SystemsCareers include
Employment by banks that lend to farmers and therefore need graduates with appropriate knowledge and skills.Cooperative Research Centres
Affiliated Centres
Collaborating agencies
Regional natural resource management (NRM) organisations
Funding agencies
Contacts
For general and administrative enquiries, AskUNE.
For further information about studying Sustainable Farming at UNE:
Associate Professor Chris Guppy
Phone: +61 2 6773 3567
Email: cguppy@une.edu.au