Prof Ben Hayes taking a tail hair sample for DNA analysis from cattle near Rockhampton, Central QLD

RESPECTED cattle geneticist Professor Ben Hayes has been appointed as the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation’s new Centre Director for Animal Science.

Prof Hayes, who takes up his appointment in July, has extensive research and leadership experience in the genetic improvement of livestock, crop, pasture and aquaculture species, with a focus on integration of genomic information into breeding programs.

Since joining QAAFI in 2016 (see earlier Beef Central story) his focus has been on large scale projects to implement genomic technologies in livestock industries – particularly through the Northern Beef Genomics Project.

Current centre director Professor Stephen Moore will continue in the role until Prof Hayes officially takes up the role in late July.

“Prof Moore has made great contributions to QAAFI and the establishment and growth of the Animal Science Centre since he joined QAAFI in September 2011,” QAAFI director Prof Robert Henry said.

“The centre’s capacity to deliver research of real benefit to Australian and international livestock industries continues to grow,” Prof Henry said.

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) is the research institute arm of The University of Queensland, one of the world’s leading research providers in tropical and sub-tropical agriculture and food production. It works across animal production, nutrition and food sciences, cropping and horticulture, supported by industry and the Queensland Government.