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Natalie MacGregor Said

@natlmacg

Writer, thwarted musician, science communicator. Interested in many things and worried about many more. Media & Comms at @qaafi.bsky.social

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Latest posts by Natalie MacGregor Said @natlmacg

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Breeding for bigger cattle may come with hidden fertility trade-offs. Research published in Genetics Selection Evolution offering producers more information and opportunities.

https://bit.ly/4uq03rw

09.03.2026 22:20 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Breeding for bigger cattle may come with hidden fertility trade-offs. Research from Mehrnush Forutan published in Genetics Selection Evolution, offering producers more information and opportunities.

bit.ly/4uq03rw

09.03.2026 23:28 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Congratulations to UQ PhD candidate Jacob Birch, one of two recipients of the Australian Academy of Science's 2026 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Science Award.

https://bit.ly/4aZZRpT
https://vimeo.com/1162061356/de9bbb05be?fl=pl&fe=sh

02.03.2026 23:33 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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UQ research has revealed that double-stranded RNA-based biopesticides (dsRNA) sprayed on plant leaves can travel into root systems. The work also disproves a long-standing misconception that dsRNA directly enters plant cells.

https://bit.ly/4cyOqYs

17.02.2026 21:50 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Igniting the future of agricultural with exciting research at #UQ. Congratulations to Dr Maral Seididamyeh and Dr Chian Teng Ong for their Australian Economic Accelerator Ignite Round 2 grants.



https://bit.ly/4kMcFEU

16.02.2026 00:53 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Testing confirms chemical-free future for fighting flystrike. The next step is field trials with industry support.

https://bit.ly/46MNdZU

11.02.2026 22:25 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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On International Day of Women and Girls in Science we celebrate the outstanding women across QAAFI, in crop, horticulture, animal and food and nutrition science. We also acknowledge those women working behind the scenes. The research done here is shaping the future of agriculture.

11.02.2026 00:09 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Unlocking the sublime in native citrus. A detailed look at PhD candidate Joel Johnson's work on native live species in Australia, published in the latest edition of Hort Journal.

You can read all about it via the link below:

https://hortjournal.com.au/

09.02.2026 23:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Emeritus Prof Robert Henry joined Queensland Country Hour to discuss why sugarcane could be the key to sustainable aviation fuel ✈️🌱

He talks through what makes sugarcane so productive and scalable, and how genetics could boost how much can be converted into fuel.

🎧 Listen from 17:14: ab.co/4bxtDEu

02.02.2026 22:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ„ QAAFI Science Seminar: Understanding Nitrogen Efficiency in Beef Cattle: Insights from Seven Years of Research. Discover from A/Prof Luis Prada e Silva how years of research is reshaping our understanding of nitrogen efficiency in northern beef systems.

24 Feb 2026 | 12:00pm πŸ”—bit.ly/46i4wSk

29.01.2026 02:16 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Genetically modified purple tomatoes have been given the tick of approval in Australia. #UQ's Prof Ian Godwin says genetically modified foods can offer a range of benefits for the farmer and consumer.

https://ab.co/4k4bhwZ

27.01.2026 22:32 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Sugarcane hits the sweet spot for sustainable carbon. An opinion piece from Emeritus Professor Robert Henry explaining why plants, and sugarcane in particular are the logical choice as the source material for sustainable aviation fuel.

https://bit.ly/3NjWn9E
Image: Mackay Sugar

19.01.2026 22:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸŽ™οΈOur researcher Samson Olumide Fawale was recently featured on ABC’s South Australian Country Hour (from 42:50), sharing insights from his research into native Australian yams β€” an important First Nations food with significant agricultural and nutritional potential.

🎧 https://ab.co/4jASf0J

12.01.2026 00:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Flowering discovery could lead to more reliable mungbean yields University of Queensland and Grains Research and Development Corporation-supported research has unlocked new breeding opportunities for mungbean, providing additional genetic tools to develop varieties tailored to specific growing regions.

Did you know that when mungbean flowers and how long it flowers for are separate genetic traits? That disovery could lead to more reliable yields of the important cash crop.

https://bit.ly/4otnHiE

25.11.2025 21:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Growing global production of citrus offers opportunities for Australia’s little-known 6 native species. #UQ researcher and PhD candidate Joel Johnson is investigating their chemical composition and nutritional potential.

https://bit.ly/3XckjgO

24.11.2025 22:00 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Sorghum research is supercharged by Grain and Research Development Corporation's 7-year multi-million-dollar Sorghum Strategic Alliance with #UQ, announced today at #TropAg2025.

https://bit.ly/4nErSHQ
@theGRCDC


11.11.2025 02:00 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Australia partners with International Livestock Research Institute to upskill researchers from Africa and Asia. A year-long training program passing on lessons learned here to fellows in Africa and Asia, thanks to ACIAR.

https://bit.ly/3Jrij13

12.11.2025 02:00 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Finding efficiencies in creating jet fuel from plant waste. A ewly opened ARC Research Hub at #UQ is focused on not only creating jet fuel from plant biomass, but also ensuring it's cost-effective and sustainable. Details via the link:

https://bit.ly/3WIsfpS

09.11.2025 22:00 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Peptides to prime plant defence against viruses in vegetables. A 5-year project to develop a chemical-free and cost-effective way to tackle viruses in Australia’s multi-billion-dollar vegetable industry led by #UQ and funded by Hort Innovation and DPI.

bit.ly/4oanNMr

28.10.2025 22:24 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Bridging continents with yams. A collaboration between #UQ and the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Indigenous community of Far North Qld has turned to Nigerian expertise to renew interest in Australian yams and build First Nation enterprise.

https://bit.ly/42Xky2u

CGIAR

26.10.2025 21:53 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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An integrated vision for predicting crop success. Learn about CropVision, an #ARC funded system developed at #UQ by A/Prof Andries Potgieter.
https://bit.ly/47mm7s9

20.10.2025 21:51 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Yesterday, QAAFI celebrated UQ Giving Day with a vibrant presence at the Gatton Agtech Showcase and a warm morning tea gathering at St Lucia πŸ’œπŸŒΏAll in support of QAAFI’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agribusiness Research Fund: bit.ly/4qbZE9N

16.10.2025 06:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Future protein foods: plant versus animal sources, nutrient release rates, and gateway products.

#UQ's Professor Mike Gidley shares his views. Read the article in Frontiers in Science.

https://bit.ly/4odUNDs

08.10.2025 23:50 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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A Pacific perspective on food security. Insights from TropAg 2025 plenary speaker Dr Seeseei Molimau-Samasoni, Head of International Development for the Plant & Food Research Group at the Bioeconomy Science Institute of New Zealand.

https://bit.ly/42o4eaU

06.10.2025 22:01 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Close up view of bottle brush (Callistemon) flower which is native to Australia
By popovj2 on Adobe images

Close up view of bottle brush (Callistemon) flower which is native to Australia By popovj2 on Adobe images

Could the best housemate you’ve ever had be a houseplant? Dr Alice Hayward gives some suggestions to #UQ's Contact.

https://bit.ly/3Il0tfB

29.09.2025 01:21 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Cattle standing in a field with sunset behind them in colours of blue and pink

Cattle standing in a field with sunset behind them in colours of blue and pink

Calf Alive delivers flexibility for northern cattle producers. Find out more about this project on reproductive efficiency and attend the conference in Longreach in November.

https://bit.ly/3VxoaUT

25.09.2025 22:01 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Co-designing biology and technology to unlock automated plant breeding. Some thinking about ways to reshape the future in crop breeding from Dr Yasmine Lam and Professor Lee Hickey.

bit.ly/48x1mfq

24.09.2025 22:24 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Reimagining agriculture by unlocking genetic potential is the key to addressing the problems in agriculture caused by climate change, says TropAg speaker and University of Florida Prof Charlie Messina.

FInd out more about his plans for change:

bit.ly/423f0Di

23.09.2025 21:27 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The climate-resilient crop breadfruit is the focus of a collaboration between The University of Queensland and the University of the South Pacific looking into its health benefits. It could be the start of a bigger collaboration.

bit.ly/4grA1gN

16.09.2025 21:31 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Macadamia nuts still within green-coloured husk handing from a branch in a field of macadamia trees. Image: Megan Pope, UQ.

Macadamia nuts still within green-coloured husk handing from a branch in a field of macadamia trees. Image: Megan Pope, UQ.

A new project from Hort Innovation led by QAAFI's Dr Mobashwer Alam will create trees that can withstand climate change, produce bigger and better-quality nuts earlier, and reduce the production cost burden for Australian growers.

bit.ly/46DSfZ6

15.09.2025 00:10 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0