SCIENCE SESSION | Tree Breeding
Date: Wednesday 24 May
Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm (AEST)
RFP CPD points: 1.5
Chair: Dr Jo Sasse
About
In this Science Session, speakers will discuss different aspects of Tree Breeding
Dr Tony McRae: General Manager, Tree Breeding Australia
Tree improvement in plantation forestry in Australia
Tree Breeding Australia manages the national cooperative tree improvement programs for radiata pine and blue gum and supports industry breeding programs in southern pines and shining gum by providing collaborators with access to its online systems for data management and genetic evaluation. The breeding programs are guided largely by economic objectives – to improve productivity, resource quality, and plantation resilience. Rolling front strategies with overlapping generations of breeding and testing have generated efficiencies and increased rates of genetic gain. Genetic material is rigorously tested in a national network of field trials representing site types typical of the current estate, but also environments likely to reflect future climates and industry expansion.
Robert Southerton: Managing Director/Co-Founder, Gondwana Genomics
Forestry Genetics
Gondwana Genomics was founded in 2014 to commercialise CSIRO genomics technology developed in plantation eucalyptus. In 2016 Gondwana Genomics became the first company in the world to implement large scale marker assisted breeding in commercial forestry. Robert has a background in statistics with mathematical decision making and leads the commercial operations of Gondwana Genomics. Robert will share his experiences, insights and thoughts on the future of genetics in forestry.
Dr Heidi Dungey: Portfolio Leader, Indigenous Forests Established , Scion NZ
Dr Heidi Dungey has specialised in tree breeding and genetic resource characterisation for forestry species including radiata pine, Douglas-fir, cypresses, eucalypts and redwoods. Her research encompasses quantitative and ecological genetics and breeding, including the application of new technologies in tree breeding programmes. More recently, Heidi has been working on the propagation and genetics of indigenous tree species in partnership with Māori. Dr Dungey will provide an update on tree breeding advances from New Zealand.
Forestry Australia Member: $10 | Non-Member: $50 | Student members: Free
Registrations close: 9:00am (AEST) Wednesday 24 May
Everyone who registers:
* Receives a link and joining instructions 24 hours before the webinar commences
* Receives a recording of the webinar, so if you can’t listen live you can listen later
Dr Tony McRae
Dr McRae is General Manager of Tree Breeding Australia. He has a background in agricultural science and PhD in animal genetics. He was a sugarcane breeder before joining STBA in 1998, initially as geneticist and then as GM in 2001. He has seen the transition of STBA to TBA in 2019, the national industry cooperative in tree improvement. He encourages cooperation among growers and collaborating scientists to deliver efficiencies and enable the plantation industry to fully capitalise on the potential of improved genetics.
Robert Southerton
Robert is the Managing Director, Co-Founder of Gondwana Genomics. He has over 15 years of commercial experience with various roles leading marketing, media, and analytical teams. He brings technical solutions to real-world success. His passion for the MAS technology has seen Gondwana Genomics evolve from leading-edge research into the successful adoption of genomic selection in our customer’s breeding programs. He is also a former non-executive director and Deputy Chair of CHOICE, Australia’s independent consumer association.
Dr Heidi Dungey
Dr Heidi Dungey has specialised in tree breeding and genetic resource characterisation for forestry species including radiata pine, Douglas-fir, cypresses, eucalypts and redwoods. Her research encompasses quantitative and ecological genetics and breeding, including the application of new technologies in tree breeding programmes. More recently, Heidi has been working on the propagation and genetics of indigenous tree species in partnership with Māori.
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