Professor Spangenberg is recognised as the world authority on pasture plant genomics. He and his research team have developed enabling technologies for the genetic manipulation of the key pasture grasses and legumes for temperate grassland agriculture worldwide. They have undertaken the largest plant gene discovery program in Australia using state-of-art technologies for accessing the genomes of ryegrass and clover. This has underpinned a series of world firsts in transgenic fescues, ryegrasses, and white clover with field resistance to viruses, and enhanced herbage and environmental quality. Products are already being implemented in molecular breeding programs in pastures in Australia and overseas.