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RIRDC ANNUAL OPERATIONAL PLAN  2001-2002

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Portfolio Budget Statement 2001–2002, Outcomes and Outputs Framework Our Program Structure 2001–2002 Program 1: Prospective New Industries New Plant Products New Animal Products Program 2: Emerging New Industries Asian Foods Agroforestry and Farm Forestry Deer Essential Oils and Plant Extracts  Organic Produce Rare Natural Animal Fibres Tea Tree Oil Wildflowers and Native Plants Program 3: Established Rural Industries  Chicken Meat Eggs Honeybee Rice Horses Fodder Crops Pasture Seeds Program 4: Future Agricultural Systems Global Competitiveness Resilient Agricultural Systems, Human Capital Communications and Information Systems  Program 5 Portfolio Management Corporate Communications Staffing Corporate Activities, Finance and Administration Program Impact Evaluation

Portfolio Budget Statement 2001–2002
— Outcomes and Outputs Framework

RIRDC—Revenue from Other Sources  2001-2002 (Total Revenue ($’000))*
 

Out–comes	Agency (Revenue from independent sources)
	Monies from industry levies	Indirect Commonwealth Appropriation and Matching Commonwealth levy contribution	Monies from other sources	Total Revenue from independent sources
Out–come	4,362	15,139	5,141	24,642

* RIRDC does not receive a direct departmental or administered appropriation from the Government.

Relationships Between Outcomes and Outputs

The map below shows the relationship between outcomes and the contributing outputs for RIRDC during 2001–2002.

  Note:      The figures above do not include the operations of the Dried Fruits R&D Council.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

RIRDC Performance Indicators

Our Program Structure for 2001–2002

Program 1 Prospective new Industries
 

New Plant Products New Animal Products

Sub-Program 1.1: New Plant Products

Objective:  To facilitate the development of new industries based on plants or plant products that have commercial potential for Australia.

RIRDC supports a diverse program of R&D within its charter of encouraging and assisting prospective industries. Existing small industries are also supported so that they may contribute to regional development and to the national economy as a whole. Frequently, the research and development needs of these smaller industries are just as demanding as those of the larger established industries.

The program has six components:
 

• Bushfoods
• Culinary herbs, spices and beverages
• Extractive and fibre crops
• Prospective fruit, vegetable and nut crops
• Prospective grain and pulse crops
• Miscellaneous crops and activities

The Corporation views the sub-program as a seedbed or nursery in which stand-alone sub-programs of the future can be germinated and raised. The program also provides a means of supporting commercially viable but intrinsically small rural industries.

Key sub-program strategies
 

• Support preliminary market and technical feasibility studies.
• Identify, evaluate, test-market and develop species, varieties, processes or products with prospects of commercial viability.
• Develop integrated production, harvesting, processing and marketing systems.
• Foster the development of policy, infrastructure and R&D plans and initiatives to underpin industry growth.

Strategies for 2001-2002
 

• Support research on bushfoods, culinary herbs, olives and tropical fruits in line with agreed industry R&D plans, updating such plans where necessary.
• Start new work on: bushfoods; IPM in olives; timing the harvesting of olives; floral manipulation and canopy management in rambutan and longan; nutrition and irrigation in durian and mangosteen; nutrition in hazelnut; capers as a new crop for Australia; and guar as a source of food gums.
• Seek opportunities to establish research on prospective broad-acre crops.

Expected key outputs in 2001-2002
 

• Published reports on: innovative products from bushfoods; the commercial prospects of baobab tubers as vegetables; IPM for the quandong moth; pesticide MRLs for culinary herbs; the Australian culinary herb market; olive yield, quality and cultivar identification; the production of high allicin garlic; the potential for seed gum production in Australia; nutrition and irrigation in rambutan; improved postharvest handling in lychee; domestic and export market opportunities for longan and rambutan; the impact and control of lychee pepper spot; the potential of repellents to control flying foxes attaching lychee and other tropical fruits; the management of the disease Phytophthora in durian; genetic improvement and hybrid performance in cashew; further studies on nutrition in cashew; using green ants to control cashew pests; the production of truffles in Tasmania; quality management and production in buckwheat; the world market for buckwheat; the canary seed industry in SE Australia; factors affecting seed quality in adzuki and kintoki beans; and the Australian New Crops Newsletter.
• All published reports available on RIRDC's website.
• Presentation of research findings in industry journals such as the Australian Bushfood Magazine, the Olive Press and Living Lychee and at relevant industry conferences and workshops.
• Publication of technical abstracts in the Australian New Crops newsletter.

Expected key outcomes in 2001-2002
 

• A better understanding of the food safety of bushfoods and the groundwork for establishing HACCP procedures for several of these foods;
• Establishment of a website for culinary herbs and provision of MRL data for registering several pesticides for use on culinary herbs.
• Increased production of condiment paprika, a new crop for Australia.
• A sounder basis for identifying and evaluating traditional and feral olive varieties in Australia, both by researchers and growers, and a benchtop method of evaluating olive oil quality and picking readiness.
• A better understanding of the parameters, economics and success factors for establishing regional olive oil processing plants in Australia.
• Agreement with growers on how best to introduce and further evaluate novel pruning and fruit set management procedures in lychee and the establishment of related regional trials.
• A better understanding the impact of pepper spot disease on lychee and the identification of fungicides to control it.
• Following a visit to Japan, a better understanding by rambutan growers in Queensland and the Northern Territory of the requirements of and operation of the tropical fruit market in Japan together with better linkages to importers and export support systems.
• Establishment of a performance database and arboretum of promising cashew lines and hybrids to support further development of cashew growing in Australia.
• A stronger base for commercial truffle production in Tasmania
• Increased production of buckwheat in Victoria and New South Wales and increased interest in this crop in other states.
• Better targeted investment in prospective industries flowing from market analyses for culinary herbs, buckwheat, and certain tropical fruits.

Sub-Program 1.1: New Plant Products — new projects being funded in 2001-2002 include

Project		Title	Researcher	Phone
NPP01-08	*	A new rural industry - Stevia - to replace imported chemical sweeteners	Prof David Midmore	(07) 4930 9770
NPP01-16		Sustainable pest and disease management in Australian olive production	Dr Robert Spooner-Hart	(02) 4570 1729
NPP01-23	*	Olive harvesting project - harvest timing for optimal olive oil quality	Dr Rod Mailer	(02) 6938 1818
NPP01-31	*	Investigation into commercial systems for production of capers in Australia	Mr Johnathon Trewartha	(08) 8370 8429
NPP01-33	*	Nutrition and phenology survey of durian and mangosteen orchards in north Queensland	Mr Yan Diczbalis	(07) 4064 3928
NPP01-35	*	Floral manipulation and canopy management in rambutan and longan	Mr Yan Diczbalis	(07) 4064 3928
NPP01-44		Evaluation of guar cultivars in central and southern Queensland	Mr Colin Douglas	(07) 4992 9112

Note: An asterisk (*) indicates that the Corporation is still to finalise amendments to the project in terms of, for example, a lower budget or project design.

Achievements in 2000-2001
 

• Completed and published an R&D plan for culinary herbs and addressed the industry's top priority issue by commissioning a study on the market for such herbs.
• Achieved establishment of cocoa variety and agronomy trials in the Northern Territory and Queensland and saw additional support for cocoa R&D from CadburySchweppes and TimberCorp.
• Established MRL data allowing use of certain pesticides on longan and lychee.
• Provided support for an international symposium on tropical fruits that was held in Cairns in December, 2000.
• Rounded out research on cashew during the last decade by completing projects on varietal and hybrid performance, on plant nutrition as a means of crop management, and on the biological control of pests.  Would-be investors in cashew now have available to them a well rounded technology package that enables them to make informed economic and technical decisions about this potential new crop for northern Australia.
• Provided support for industry and research personnel to attend national and international conferences.
• Published 19 final reports.
• Provided the Board, and potentially other interested parties, with an overview of the sub-program's client industries, a synopsis of research undertaken to date, and a critique of industry prospects.
• Achieved satisfactory benefit cost-ratios in an independent study of returns on RIRDC investment in the New Plant Products sub-program over the last decade.

Sub-Program 1.2:  New Animal Products

Budget:      $1,002,000

Background

There are more than 40 prospective and emerging animal-based industries for which RIRDC receives research proposals or inquiries regarding R&D funding. The annual value of livestock and products traded from these industries exceeds $180 million with approximately 50 per cent traded on export markets.

In 2000-2001 the Corporation funded specific projects for more than 15 of these industries. Other individual projects covered a broad spectrum of species and their products such as skin and meat. Projects are increasingly covering R&D across the value-added chain. For the very small industries, initially R&D is directed as necessary to feasibility studies and/or the development of a business plan.

Funding continues on the commercialisation of native and feral animal products where enhancement of the environment and biodiversity are not threatened. Specific projects are in progress for the kangaroo, emu and crocodile industries. Other projects continue in buffalo, dairy goats and milking sheep. New projects commenced in 2000-2001 in the potential export of gamebirds.

Key sub-program strategies
 

• Identify R&D priorities.
• Assist industry and enterprise development by the Corporation’s participation at national industry meetings and facilitating integration activities across various prospective animal industries.
• Disseminate outputs via industry newsletters, publication of final reports, media releases and electronic communication.
• Fund production, processing, transport, storage and marketing R&D on animal products.
• Strengthen development within and across industries by supporting creativity, innovation and integration along the value-added chain.
• Facilitate export market access and development.
• Assist in the development of business plans for some potential innovative animal industries.
• Stimulate co-funding of R&D from industry, enterprises and public sector interests.

Strategies for 2001–2002
 

• Maintain investments in food safety R&D.
• Increase investment in integrated silk R&D including sericulture, moriculture, processing and marketing opportunities.
• Complete a 3 year corporate plan for the sub-program.
• Increase funding in appraising effective future investment into breeding R&D for dairy sheep and goat enterprises.
• Maintain investment in crocodile management, breeding and nutrition R&D for at least three more years.
• Publish final reports for distribution via hard copy and the Internet to industry and other stakeholder interests.

Expected key outputs in 2001–2002
 

• Increase knowledge by industry stakeholders of market requirements and opportunities for ostrich, crocodile, camel and goat skins.
• Determination of shelf-life and microbiological safety of selected new and emerging meats destined for export markets.
• Additional knowledge on best practice in feeding, health and mating management for consistent quantity and quality of goat milk.
• Fifteen final reports published and marketed.
• Assistance in publishing newsletters for the buffalo, dairy goats and ostrich industries with the inclusion of R&D project results.

Expected key outcomes in 2001–2002
 

• Greater attention to husbandry care to produce improved returns from ostrich and emu skins.
• Increased use of ostrich, camel and crocodile skins in fashion garments.
• Greater attention in the skinning techniques and presentation of kangaroo skins to increase prices.
• Improved productivity in dairy goat enterprises.
• Reduced costs in duck production by using better balanced feed formulation.

Sub-Program 1.2: New Animal Products — new projects being funded in 2001-2002 include
 

Project No.		Title	Researcher	Phone
NAP01-05		Developing a genetically improved yabby to facilitate farm enterprise diversification	Dr Laurie Piper	(02) 6776 1349
NAP01-07		Dairy products and farming techniques for the sheep milking industry	Dr Roberta Bencini	(08) 9380 2521
NAP01-09		Production implications of egg and tissue chemistry in crocodiles	Dr Graham Webb	(08) 8922 4500
NAP01-10		Crocodile farming research: hatching to harvest	Mr Bernie Davis	(07) 4722 2649
NAP01-12		A genetic improvement program for farmed saltwater crocodiles	A/Prof Chris Moran	(02) 9351 3553
NAP01-19		On farm nutritional strategies to improve the profitability of ostrich farming	Dr Phil Glatz	(08) 8303 7786
NAP01-31		A report on the potential for establishment of an Angora rabbit industry in Australia	Dr David Masters	(08) 9333 6691

Achievements in 2000–2001
 

• Facilitated industry research and development, particularly for emu, ostrich, rabbit and alpaca, by funding international travel to conferences and meetings, and supporting national meetings related to silk, sheepmilk, crocodiles and skins.
• Commenced co-funding of newsletters for the buffalo, ostrich and dairy goat industries.
• Produced colour posters (3,000), brochures (20,000), and field guide booklets (1,000) showing kangaroo harvesters and processors the steps required for better kangaroo skin preservation, handling and skinning.
• Determined, using South African data, heritabilities of a number of ostrich production parameters. Genetic correlations and repeatibilities of hen reproductive traits were also determined. Overall the results clearly indicate that selection and culling can play a significant role in improving the future performance in reproductive and slaughter traits of farmed ostriches.
• Reported on the opportunity for ostrich producers and feed manufactures to reduce feed costs. It was estimated the cost of feeding a bird grown to 95kg could be not less than $130 but this amount could be reduced to under $100 if good quality pasture is offered, particularly from 30kg liveweight onwards.
• Released audit booklets on ostrich and emu skin production and processing to underpin industry QA programs. A CD was produced to guide stakeholders in the audit process.
• Published benchmarking reports on surveys of work practices, processes and general operating environment faced by emu and ostrich producing enterprises in 1999. Generally to improve performances there is a need to substantially improve data collection, storage and retrieval facilities.
• Identified five specific skin diseases in crocodiles. The most common was dermatophilus disease caused by a proposed new species of bacteria. The most effective method of treatment was a low cost immersion treatment of the animal in water containing 1ppm of copper sulphate.
• Obtained technical data showing that the number of scale rows of crocodile skins can be manipulated by the incubation temperature of eggs. Genetic influence (from the male) was identified, and through selection of breeding stock and varying incubation temperature, skin with higher scale rows may be produced.
• Sound progress has been further achieved with the development in pellet feeding of crocodiles. The development of a balanced pellet that will promote adequate growth is near completion and ready for commercial evaluation with crocodile producers.
• Completed research that showed by using AI, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, rapid genetic progress could occur in buffalo breeding by using riverine genotype to improve milk production and rate of liveweight gain in the progeny
• Nutrition research demonstrated that ducks have higher growth rates (and lower feed costs) if given as separate components rather than in combination.
• Reported on ways to remove impediments to the supply of dairy goat milk on a year round basis. Nutritional constraints can be overcome with cost effective silage and a wheat based diet, and the breeding season can be advanced by up to 4 months by isolating does completely from bucks, and then joining.
• Released a report that calculated that an opportunity exists to expand the use of existing purpose-built on-farm water resources for commercial production of freshwater crayfish especially following recent changes in government regulations in Victoria and NSW in respect of harvesting of yabbies from farm dams.
• Information has been released on the production, management and market potential of commercial snail farming. The economic benefits of production in France were assessed and a production system and details of construction of reproduction and rearing areas were described in a recent report.
• Published 19 Final Reports and provided articles for inclusion in general RIRDC publications and media releases.