Graeme Martin

Professor, BSc(Agric) PhD W.Aust.

Professor, Faculty of Science, UWA School of Agriculture and Environment

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1905-7934

Phone+61 8 6488 6781
Emailgraeme.martin@uwa.edu.au

The University of Western Australia (M085), 35 Stirling Highway,
6009 Perth
Australia

5424 Citations
38 h-Index

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Personal profile

Biography

I was born in 1951 and grew up on sheep/cereal farm in Western Australia (WA). I graduated in Agricultural Science (Hons I) at the University of WA in 1975 and gained my doctorate in reproductive endocrinology in 1981. I then worked for two years at the INRA Station de Physiologie de la Reproduction at Nouzilly (France) and for three years at the Medical Research Council’s Reproductive Biology Unit in Edinburgh (UK). In 1986, I returned to Perth (WA) to take up a joint position as Lecturer in Animal Science (The University of WA) and Research Scientist (CSIRO Division of Animal Production). I became full-time at the University in 1996 and, by 2001, I was promoted to Professor (Chair).

Roles and responsibilities

Professor (Chair) of Livestock Science
UWA Institute of Agriculture – Deputy Program Leader, Animal Production Systems
Chair, UWA Future Farm 2050

Future research

UWA Future Farm 2050
http://www.ioa.uwa.edu.au/future-farm-2050
Imagine the ideal farming system for 2050, but do it now!
And show that it can be profitable to mix crop production, animal production and ecosystem restoration.
Why 2050? We will need to feed 50% more people without destroying the planet.

Funding overview

All of my work has been funded by competitive research grants (mostly Australian Research Council, National Health & Medical Research Council, Rural Research & Development Corporation) and Meat & Livestock Australia. I have trained 28 PhD students to completion. Excluding student scholarships, external grants total over Au$4 million.

Previous positions

1978-79
Tutor, Department of Animal Science & Production, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia.
1980-81
Technician (Australian Meat Research Committee)
Department of Animal Science & Production, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia.
1982-84
Research Fellow (Australian Meat Research Committee)
Station de Physiologie de la Reproduction, Institut Nationale de la Recherche Agronomique, France.
1984-86
Research Scientist
Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical Research Council, Edinburgh, UK.
1986-89
Joint Appointment
Lecturer, School of Agriculture (Animal Science), The University of Western Australia;
Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Animal Production, Floreat Park, Western Australia.
1990-96
Joint Appointment
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Agriculture (Animal Science), The University of Western Australia;
Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Animal Production, Floreat Park, Western Australia.
1996-2000
Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture (Animal Science), The University of Western Australia
2002 –
Professor (now Winthrop Professor), Faculty of Sciences (School of Animal Biology), The University of Western Australia
2002-03
Dean of the Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences
2003-04
Deputy Chair, Academic Board and Academic Council of the University
2003
Dean, Postgraduate Research School, of the University
2005-06
Chair, Academic Board and Academic Council of the University
2007-13
Head, School of Animal Biology

Current projects

• Nutrition-induced changes in molecular and cellular function of the ram testis
• ‘Maternal efficiency’ as a factor in the environmental footprint of the sheep industry.
• Whole-farm bio-economic modeling of intensive sheep breeding
• Characterisation of socio-sexual interactions that affect reproduction in sheep

• KNDy cells and reproduction in sheep

• Immune-system physiology in sheep that are bred to be resistant to gastro-intestinal worms

Industrial relevance

Our team studies the brain control of reproduction, with a particular focus on how environmental factors influence the reproductive system. We work mostly with sheep, but we also study reproduction in goats, emus, marsupials and African animals. Over the past 10 years, we have used our knowledge to pioneer the concept of “clean, green and ethical" management of farm animals. The ultimate embodiment of this vision is "UWA Future Farm 2050":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TocKk2RsGvg&feature=plcp

Teaching overview

1) AGRI4403/5503 Animal Science and Technology
This unit gives students an understanding of the systems that control physiological processes in animals, and the ways these processes can be modified with modern science and technology to implement 'clean, green and ethical' management. The following subjects are covered: the physiology and endocrinology of reproduction and lactation; environmental limitations to animal productivity; neural and endocrine integration; regulation of physiological systems; the impact of reproduction on milk and wool production; reproductive health and disease; new animal industries; impact of animal industries on the environment.
2) ANIM3306 – Clean, Green and Ethical Animal Production
Today’s consumer is increasingly concerned about the processes involved in producing the meat they eat, milk they drink and wool they wear. This heightened sensitivity has led to greater scrutiny of animal production systems and, whether right or wrong, the scrutiny is only likely to increase. In this unit, students learn about a new approach to agriculture through the development of animal production systems that are ‘clean, green and ethical’ (CGE). Specifically, we aim to minimise the use of chemicals and artificial hormones (clean), negative impact on the environment (green) and optimise animal welfare (ethical). We discuss the current landscape of animal production systems in Western Australia in this context and highlight the prospects and pitfalls facing the meat, milk and wool industries.

Research

1) Processes through which environmental factors affect reproduction – Our aim is to understand how interactions between an animal and its environment (nutrition, pheromones, photoperiod, stressors) determine its reproductive strategy, then make use of that knowledge to develop 'clean, green and ethical' systems of animal management'
2) Reproductive biology and technology in ratites (emu, ostrich) – Animal production depends on genetic selection, but the basic biology of ratites (pair-bonding, male egg incubation, seasonal breeding) is a major limitation. We are studying reproductive physiology and behaviour and developing artificial insemination.

Languages

English (Mother tongue)
French (fluent)
some Spanish

External positions

Adjunct Professor, Curtin University of Technology

Keywords

Agriculture and Food
Reproduction—neuroscience, physiology, endocrinology, behaviour
Metabolic endocrinology
Nutrition and reproduction
Pheromones and reproduction
Clean, green and ethical animal production
Future farming systems, world food production

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Research Output 1992 2019

5424 Citations
38 h-Index
178 Article
78 Conference paper
8 Review article
6 Chapter
8 More

Addressing Animal Welfare through Collaborative Stakeholder Networks

Fernandes, J., Blache, D., Maloney, S. K., Martin, G. B., Venus, B., Walker, F. R., Head, B. & Tilbrook, A., Jun 2019, In : Agriculture. 9, 6, 14 p., 132.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article

Extracts of forage plants affect the developmental competence of ovine oocytes in vitro

Amir, A. A., Kelly, J. M., Kleemann, D. O., Durmic, Z., Blache, D. & Martin, G. B., 7 Mar 2019, In : Animal Production Science.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Plant Extracts

Blastocyst

blastocyst

Mental Competency

Oocytes

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHβ) gene polymorphisms and associations with reproductive traits in Rex rabbits

Niu, X., Martin, G. B., Liu, W., Henryon, M. A. & Ren, K., Aug 2019, In : Animal Reproduction Science. 207, p. 36-46

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Open Access

Rex (rabbit breed)

follicle-stimulating hormone

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

reproductive traits

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism

Heritabilities of IgA and IgE activities against Teladorsagia and Trichostrongylus L₃ larval antigens correlated with traits for faecal worm egg count, health and productivity in Merino sheep

Zhao, Z., Wang, M., Liu, S., Palmer, D., Shaw, R., Karlsson, J., Vercoe, P. E., Martin, G. B. & Greeff, J., 22 Feb 2019, In : Animal Production Science.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Teladorsagia

Trichostrongylus

immunoglobulin E

immunoglobulin A

Merino

Linseed oil and heated linseed grain supplements have different effects on rumen bacterial community structures and fatty acid profiles in cashmere kids

Wang, X., Martin, G. B., Wen, Q., Liu, S., Zhang, J., Yu, Y., Shi, B., Guo, X., Zhao, Y. & Yan, S., May 2019, In : Journal of Animal Science. 97, 5, p. 2099-2113 15 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article