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Featured animal breeding research

Reducing salmon disease

CSIRO scientists are working with Tasmania's Atlantic salmon growers to prevent amoebic gill disease (AGD) in salmon.

Black tiger prawn

We partnered with Australian prawn farmers to develop a new prawn that is producing record farm yields, leading to increased supplies of top quality, sustainably produced seafood.

Hornless cattle

A discovery by CSIRO scientists is central to the Australian Poll Gene Marker test, which is helping Australian cattle breeders select the best breeding cattle. It may also help the industry end the painful practice of dehorning beef cattle.

Immune competent cattle

We have shown that 'immune competent' Angus cattle have reduced mortalities and health-associated costs, particularly in feedlots. Selecting for immune competence has the potential to improve animal welfare outcomes and reduce the use of antibiotics and chemicals in production animals.

Marker-assisted breeding

Marker-assisted breeding is a technique that can be used in plants and animals to select qualities that are desirable for farmers and consumers. It uses conventional breeding approaches and does not involve transgenic approaches.

Merino ewe productivity

We've been part of the Merino Lifetime Productivity project looking at the performance of Merino ewes over their lifetime. The project will help the Australian Merino industry understand what makes the best Merinos in different environments.

More of our animal breeding work

QUAD AI-Engage

CSIRO will partner with agencies from India, Japan and the United States to support agricultural resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.

A taste of tradition and tech

Through our Aus4Innovation program in Vietnam, we awarded $1.45 million to three cutting-edge agricultural projects.

CSIRO auctions historic bull semen for charity

Advances in science mean a historic collection of bull semen is no longer required by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and will now be auctioned to raise money for the charities Drought Angels, the Queensland Country Women’s Association and Beyond Blue.

Tasmanian Atlantic salmon

The collaboration between Salmon Enterprises of Tasmania (SALTAS) and CSIRO has delivered significant economic gains.

Chicken sex determination

A new gene technology to differentiate between male and female chicks pre-hatch could improve animal production, reduce costs and eliminate ethical dilemmas for the egg and poultry industries.

Gene technology

Gene technology encompasses several techniques including marker-assisted breeding, RNAi and genetic modification. Only some gene technologies produce genetically modified organisms. We use the most appropriate technique, or combination of techniques, to achieve the desired goal.

Marker-assisted breeding

Marker-assisted breeding is a technique that can be used in plants and animals to select qualities that are desirable for farmers and consumers. It uses conventional breeding approaches and does not involve transgenic approaches.

Genetic modification

Some of our gene technology research produces genetically modified products which provide innovative and unique opportunities for Australian agriculture and consumers.

Reducing salmon disease

CSIRO scientists are working with Tasmania's Atlantic salmon growers to prevent amoebic gill disease (AGD) in salmon.

Breeding better salmon

We are working with Tasmania's Atlantic salmon farming industry to improve the growth, health and product quality of salmon.

Hornless cattle

A discovery by CSIRO scientists is central to the Australian Poll Gene Marker test, which is helping Australian cattle breeders select the best breeding cattle. It may also help the industry end the painful practice of dehorning beef cattle.