Excellence in agricultural and food sciences research

Our agricultural and food sciences researchers are collaborating locally and internationally to ensure a two-way flow of resources and expertise that translates pure research into applied outcomes.



Areas of specialisation

  • Agricultural biotechnology
  • Agriculture, land and farm management
  • Animal production
  • Crop and pasture production
  • Fisheries sciences
  • Food sciences
  • Forestry sciences
  • Horticultural production.

Learn more about our research excellence.

Research collectives

Research highlights

Macquarie has strengths in crop and pasture production, fisheries sciences and horticultural production.

In fisheries science, research strengths include work related to shellfish, particularly oysters, and to endangered species such as sharks.

agricultural sciences

Fruit fly biosecurity – Macquarie is a key player in the multi-million-dollar industry and government SITplus consortium, established to address Australia’s Queensland fruit fly pest problem. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used around the world to control many pest insects, including fruit flies, and such programs are supported by significant investment.

This program has supported significant advances in advancing Qfly SIT to a world-leading position, with trial operations underway across Australia.

Rows of oyster baskets exposed at low tide. An oyster farmer tends to them from a metal dinghy.

Breeding disease resistant oysters

The iconic Sydney rock oyster is the mainstay of NSW’s oldest and largest aquaculture industry. When QX disease threatened the industry’s long-term viability, researchers from Macquarie’s School of Natural Sciences collaborated with oyst...

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Research news

Read more about the breakthroughs happening in the areas of research relating to agricultural, veterinary and food sciences.