Ben Hayes

Professor Ben Hayes is internationally recognised as a leader in the application of genomic technologies to the improvement of livestock, crop and aquaculture species. Prof Hayes is co-inventor of the concept of genomic prediction to increase genetic gains in breeding programs. This concept, first described in 2001 has been adopted as the “gold” standard methodology in commercial terrestrial livestock and plant breeding programs, and increasingly to aquaculture.

The calibre of his research profile is demonstrated by his recognition as a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020 (Clarivate Analytics). Prof Hayes has an excellent track record of building large collaborations to address significant industry challenges. For example, he led from conception the 1000 Bull Genomes project (now a consortium of over 30 institutes across the globe) (starting with 4 partners) until 2019.

As Program Leader of the Dairy Futures CRC Animal Improvement Program, which included 40 researchers and close collaboration with the dairy industry, Prof Hayes gained an excellent reputation for translating complex genomic technologies from theory through to delivery on-farm. More recently he has translated R&D outcomes into active and ongoing application into plant breeding with a major Australian wheat breeding company, and with the sugar cane breeding effort from Sugar Research Australia.