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Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

RIRDC Annual Operation Plan

New Projects Being Funded in 1998-99

Projects marked with an asterisk (*) mean that the Corporation is still to finalise amendments in terms of, for example, a lower budget, or project design.

1.1: New Plant 2.1: Asian Foods 2.3: Cashews 2.5: Essential Oils and Plant Extracts 2.7: Rare Natural Animal Fibres 2.9: Wildflowers and Native Plants 3.2: Egg Industry 3.4: Rice 3.6: Fodder Crops Products 4.1 Global Competitiveness	1.2: New Animal Products 2.2: Agroforestry and Farm Forestry 2.4: Deer 2.6: Organic Produce 2.8: Tea Tree Oil 3.1: Chicken Meat 3.3: Honeybee 3.5: Horses 3.7: Pasture Seeds 4.2 Resilient Agricultural Systems
4.3 Human Capital, Communications and Information Systems

Program 1.1: New Plant Products

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
NPP98-14		Developing Irrigation strategies for coffee under sub tropical conditions	Mr. David Peasley	(02) 6677 7174
NPP98-17		A technical support package for the development of the Australian Herb growing industry	Mr. Doug Andrews	(02) 6622 0100
NPP98-18		Monitoring the relationship between olive water use and yield	Dr. Ian Nuberg	(08) 8303 7729
NPP98-26		New high quality oil seed crops for temperate and tropical Australia	Dr. CM Francis	(08) 9380 2505
NPP98-28		Integrated management of Phytophthora diseases of durian	Dr. Tong K Lim	(08) 8999 2222
NPP98-33		A field evaluaton of the productivity of hazelnut varieties	Dr. Basil Baldwin	(02) 6360 5562
NPP98-35		Culinary beans for domestic markets	Dr. Robert Redden	(07) 4661 2944
NPP98-37	*	Australian new crops newsletter	Dr. Rob Fletcher	(07) 5460 1311
NPP98-42		(Extension) the establishment and production of the French black truffle Tuber melanosporum in Tasma	Mr. Duncan Garvey	(03) 6266 4213
NPP98-43		Canary seed industry development for southeastern Australia	Dr. Robert Norton	(03) 5362 2222
NPP98-44	*	Developing a postharvest handling and stogage strategy for longan	Ms. Dahler Janelle	07 3406 8555
NPP98-45	*	Lychee Genetic Improvement	Mr. Mark Herrington	07 5441 2211
NPP98-48		OLIVEAUS - Australian Olive Association Magazine	Mr. John Eagen	02 6833 2086
NPP98-49		Economic market analysis of fibre crops in Australia	Dr. Stuart de Jong	(02) 9439 6545
NPP98-50		Potential for seed gum production within Australia	A/Prof. Kerry Walsh	07 4930 9707
NPP98-51	*	North Australian Cocoa Industry Feasibility Study	Mr. Y A Diczbalis	(08) 8999 2309

Program 1.2: New Animal Products

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
NAP98-05		Ostrich enterprise budgeting software	Mr. Chris Tuckwell	(08) 8523 3500
NAP98-08		Self-selection of diets by growing meat-type ducks	Dr. David Farrell	(07) 3824 3081
NAP98-10		Assessing potential for development of commercial camel industry in Western Australia	Mr. Kevin Ellard	(08) 9892 8416
NAP98-11	*	Can Australian camels race competitively overseas?	Dr. George Wilson	(02) 6281 2160
NAP98-16		Technology information to enable the development of earthworm production	Dr. Robyn Dynes	(08) 9333 6671
NAP98-18		Potential for silkworm production in Australia	Dr. John G Dingle	(07) 5460 1250
NAP98-20		Commercial development of cartilage co-products from alternative production species	Dr. Gregory Harper	(07) 4923 8156
NAP98-22		Improved nutrition and management of farmed crocodiles: hatching to harvest	Mr. Robert Mayer	(07) 4722 2614
NAP98-25		The prospects for the development of the rabbit meat industry in Australia	Mr. Vince O’Donnell	(02) 6272 2255
NAP98-26		Development of marketable dairy products from sheep milk	Dr. Roberta Bencini	(08) 9380 2521

Program 2.1: Asian Foods

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
AFO98-02		Extending shelf-life of minimally-processed leafy Asian vegetables	Dr. Tim O’Hare	(07) 3406 8650
AFO98-03		Diversifying Asian vegetable markets (ii) – Asian vegetables in every household and the food service	Dr. Wendy Morgan	(03) 9210 9222

Program 2.2: Agroforestry and Farm Forestry

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
AFT97-12	*	Effects of trees on pasture production and quality in different savanah ecosystems	Dr. John Mott	(07) 3365 1670
AFT98-03		ANU Forestry market report	Dr. UN Bhati	(02) 6249 3220
AFT98-05	*	An information package on the benefits of agroforestry	Ms. Catriona Nicholls	(02) 6921 4047
AFT98-09	*	Regional forestry and salinity: a national approach to matching on-ground land management change to	Mr. Ray Evans	(02) 6249 9738
AFT98-11	*	A manual for irrigated eucalypts, incorporating salinity impacts	Dr. Glen Walker	(08) 8303 8400
AFT98-18		Trees for shelter: a guide to using windbreaks on Australian farms	Dr. Helen Cleugh	(02) 6246 5574
AFT98-19	*	Ultra-short duration agroforestry rotations for low rainfall areas	Dr. Richard Harper	(08) 9334 0306
AFT98-24		Round timbers from eucalypts grown in low rainfall areas or using effluent water	Mr. Gary Waugh	(03) 9545 2122
AFT98-24A	*	Wood products from low rainfall (450-650mm) farm forestry	Mr. Gary Waugh	(03) 9545 2122
AFT98-27		National farm tree improvement program	Mr. Peter Bulman	(08) 8531 1420
AFT98-28		Evaporation cell techniques to replace steam for the extraction of eucalyptus oil	Dr. Jeff Claflin	(08) 9266 4075
AFT98-34		Silviculture of rainforest cabinetwoods	Dr. Rod Keenan	(07) 4091 5200
AFT98-38	*	Novel nutrient management for improved tropical cabinet-timber growth on farms	Dr. Michael Webb	077 538 500
AFT98-45	*	Melaleuca uncinata product development in low rainfall Western Australia	Mr. David Bicknell	(08) 9881 0222
AFT98-46	*	Optimising nutrition for productivity and sustainability of farm forestry systems	Dr. Bob Congdon	(07) 4781 4731
AFT98-51	*	High value wood production in the semi-arid zone	Dr. Mark Stewart	(03) 5321 4155
AFT98-54		Development of computer software to evaluate the visual impact of farm forestry layouts	Mr. Richard Moore	(08) 9752 1677
AFT98-56	*	Remnant vegetation, softwood plantation design and wildlife conservation	Dr. David Lindenmayer	(02) 6249 0654

Program 2.4: Deer

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
DEE97-12	*	Development and evaluation of non-chemical means of harvesting velvet antler	Dr. Anthony English	(02) 9351 1675
DEE98-02		Drought feeding - Early weaning strategies	Dr. Gordon Dryden	(07) 5460 1255
DEE98-07		Decision support system for managing red and Rusa deer in Queensland	Mr. Stephen Sinclair	(07) 3280 1905
DEE98-08		Overcoming summer/autumn nutritional constraints to deer production in Southern Australia	Dr. Philip Tow	(08) 8303 7857
DEE98-12	*	European Venison Markets - Current Situation and Prospects	Mr. Henry Shapiro	(03) 5596 2323

Program 2.5: Essential Oils and Plant Extracts

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
EOI98-01	*	Market opportunities in the USA for natural plant extracts	Mr. Brian Chung	(03) 6224 4511
EOI98-02		Continuation of the development of a natural potato sprout inhibitor from Dill	Dr. Lee Peterson	(03) 6295 1897
EOI98-04		Maximising of Yield and productivity of Peppermint through Double Harvesting	Dr. Leo Cahill	(03) 9375 2985
EOI98-05	*	Quality stabilisation and registration of Tasmannia lanceolata extract	Prof. Robert Menary	(03) 6226 2723
EOI98-07	*	Improved Quality in Floral Products From Brown Boronia	Prof. Robert Menary	(03) 6226 2723
EOI98-08	*	Determination of pesticide minimum residue limits in essential Oils	Prof. Robert Menary	(03) 6226 2723
EOI98-17		Characterization of chromatography derived fractions from extracts of cytoxic alkaloids	Dr. Graham Michael	(07) 4698 1176
EOI98-20		Production of high quality Australian ginseng	Prof. Ron Wills	(02) 4348 4140

Program 2.6: Organic Produce

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
ORP98-05	*	Identifying organic practices with wider significance to science or agriculture	Mr. Jason Alexandra	(03) 5627 8420
ORP98-08	*	An information package for organic farming in Australia	Ms. Catriona Nicholls	(02) 6921 4047
ORP98-12	*	Sustainable weed management for organic herb and vegetable production	Dr. Brian Sindel	(02) 6773 3747

Program 2.7: Rare Natural Animal Fibres

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
RNF98-02		Improving the efficiency of reproduction and breeding in Alpaca	Prof. Michael D'Occhio	(07) 4930 6900
RNF98-03		Assist reprinting of updated "Cashmere Goat Notes"	Ms. Janene Johnson	(03) 5439 2540
RNF98-04		A national performance recording scheme for the cashmere industry	Mr. Allan Casey	(02) 6391 3812
RNF98-05		Investigation into the basis of down production in cashmere goats and its improvement by genetic mea	Mr. Jim Browne	02 6653 6876

Program 2.8: Tea Tree Oil

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
TTO98-04		The anti-inflammatory activity of tea tree oil	A/Prof. Tom V Riley	(08) 9346 3690

Program 2.9: Wildflowers and Native Plants

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
WNP98-03		Breeding off-season Leucadendron varieties through interspecific hybridisation	Dr. Guijun Yan	(08) 9380 1240
WNP98-09		Improved fumigation techniques for postharvest dinifestation of wildflowers for export	Dr. Peter Williams	(03) 9210 9222
WNP98-14		V National Workshop for Australian Wildflowers	Dr. John Faragher	(03) 9210 9222

Program 3.1: Chicken Meat

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
CME98-13		Risk factors for Campylobacter spp. In Australian broilers	Ms. Jeanette Miflin	(07) 3362 9520
CME98-15		A welfare audit for the broiler industry	Dr. John Barnett	(03) 9742 0433
CME98-25		Candidate vaccine antigens and genes of Pasteurella multocida	Dr. Ben Adler	(03) 9905 4815
CME98-26		Removal of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) contamination from Fowlpox (FPV) S vaccine and FPV fiel	Dr. David Boyle	(03) 5227 5018
CME98-28		Infectious proventriculitis and stunting syndrome of broiler chickens	Dr. Rod Reece	(02) 4640 6309
EGG98-24	*	Nutritional value of pearl millet as feed for layers and broilers	Mr. Danny Singh	(07) 3362 9479

Program 3.2: Egg Industry

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
CME98-01	*	Tools for monitoring type 1 Marek’s disease virus	Dr. Graham W Burgess	(07) 4781 5472
CME98-02		Enhancing mucosal immunity in chickens by novel in-ovo and postnatal vaccination techniques	Prof. Alan Husband	(02) 9351 3127
CME98-03		Integrated pest management for the darkling beetle, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer)	Mr. Trevor Lambkin	(07) 3896 9434
CME98-04		Control of intestinal spirochaete infections in chickens	A/Prof. David Hampson	(08) 9360 2287
CME98-05		Therapeutic applications of chicken interferon gamma (ChIFN) in poultry	Dr. John Lowenthal	(03) 5227 5759
EGG98-03		Video: "Egg shell quality problems: Causes and solutions"	Dr. Juliet Roberts	(02) 6773 2506
EGG98-04	*	Contingency planning for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) contamination of eggs and egg products in Austr	Ms. Linda Thomas	(03) 9217 4335
EGG98-05		Detection of Salmonella Enteritidis in the poultry production environment using specific nucleic aci	Dr. Julian Cox	(02) 9385 5665
EGG98-13		Maintaining egg shell quality in hens drinking saline water	A/Prof. Derick Balnave	(02) 4655 0677
EGG98-15		Alternative protein sources for laying hens	Mr. David Robinson	(07) 3824 3081
EGG98-17		Use of computer models and management to optimise protein utilisation by laying hens	Mr. David Robinson	(07) 3824 3081
EGG98-24	*	Nutritional value of pearl millet as feed for layers and broilers	Mr. Danny Singh	(07) 3362 9479
EGG98-26		Development of a non-invasive test of stress in laying hens	A/Prof. Wayne Bryden	(02) 4655 0658

Program 3.3: Honeybee

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
HBE98-03		Improving the movement/use of liquid Australian honey within manufacturing processes	Dr. Bruce D’Arcy	(07) 5460 1384
HBE98-06		Interactions between feral and managed honeybees and native vegetation	Dr. Michael Dunlop	(02) 4221 4503
HBE98-10		Pollen analysis of Eucalyptus patens (Blackbutt) and E. wandoo (Winter Wandoo variety) in Western Au	Mr. Robert Manning	(08) 9368 3567

Program 3.4: Rice

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
RIC98-01		Rice improvement	Mr. Russell Reinke	(02) 6951 2713
RIC98-07	*	Revision of "Rice Growing in NSW"	Mr. Warwick Clampett	(02) 6960 1317
RIC98-09		Evaluate soil sustainability of Australian rice farming systems	Dr. Harnam Gill	(02) 6951 2717
RIC98-12		Rotational weed control practices for rice (continuation of AGR-3A)	Mr. Malcolm Taylor	(03) 5872 2892
RIC98-15		Minerals, mid-season yellowing and grain quality	Dr. Graeme Batten	(02) 6951 2736
RIC98-16	*	Seed treatment and foliar application of glycinebetaine and polyamines (osmoprotectants) to increase	Dr. Naidu Bodapati	(07) 3214 2285
RIC98-19		Relation of sensory evaluation and texture profiles to objective measures of cooked rice texture	Mr. AB Blakeney	(02) 9888 9600
RIC98-20		Towards the development of more effective nitrogen-fixing associations between rice cultivars and en	Prof. Barry Rolfe	(02) 6249 4054
RIC98-22		Survey of current rice stubble management practices for identification of research needs and future	Dr. Evan Christen	(02) 6960 1500

Program 3.5: Horses

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
HOR98-01		The pathogenesis and prevention of equine laminitis	Dr. Christopher Pollitt	(07) 3365 2063
HOR98-01		The pathogenesis and prevention of equine laminitis	Dr. Michael Pass	(07) 3365 3127
HOR98-07		Novel anti-inflammatory drugs to treat inflammatory diseases in horses	Dr. Stephen Taylor	(07) 3365 3124
HOR98-09	*	Nutritent intake and growth of young horses	Dr. Neil McMeniman	(07) 3365 1108
HOR98-11	*	Improved vaccine strategies for management of equine herpesvirus diseases	A/Prof. Millar Whalley	(02) 9850 8200
HOR98-18	*	Methods of accelerating phagocytosis of erythrocytes following pulmonary haemorrhage	Dr. Shaun McKane	(03) 9742 8337
HOR98-19	*	Epidemiology of equine rhinovirus type 2 (ErhV2)	Dr. Heidi E Drummer	(03) 9344 7375
HOR98-23		Repeatability and reliability of Brochoalveolar Lavage (BAL) in the horse	Ms. Joanne Hamilton

Program 3.6: Fodder Crops

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
FCR98-03	*	Field testing microbial innoculants for hay preservation	Dr. Peter Dart	(07) 3365 2867

Program 3.7: Pasture Seeds

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
PSE98-01		Evaluating and managing lucerne seed wasp in lucerne seed crops	Mr. James De Barro	(08) 8755 3133
PSE98-02	*	Evaluation of lucerne varieties for seed yield and strategies to enhance seed productivity – budget	Dr. Ross Downes	(02) 6255 1461
PSE98-03	*	Development of varieties of six species of fodder legumes for sowing seed and hay export	Dr. Ross Downes	(02) 6255 1461
PSE98-04		Development of an integrated control strategy for "lucerne yellows" disease in lucerne seed crops	Dr. Geoff Gurr	(02) 6360 5551

Program 4.1: Global Competitiveness

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
GLC98-16		Intellectual property in agricultural trade	Dr. Andrew Stoeckel	(02) 6248 6699
GLC98-19		Market access issues for Australia in the next agricultural trade negotiations	Dr. Ivan Roberts	(02) 6272 2239
GLC98-22		Where is market power in the Australian food marketing chain?	Prof. Oswin Maurer	(02) 6773 3049

Program 4.2: Resilient Agricultural Systems

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
RAS98-02		Development of DNA-based diagnostic probes for verticillium	Dr. Dara Whisson	(08) 8303 9495
RAS98-03	*	National electronic modelling network for pest, disease and weed management	Dr. Robert Sutherst	(07) 3365 1867
RAS98-12		What makes pyrethrum paddocks good for subsequent cropping?	Dr. Leigh Sparrow	(033) 6336 5379
RAS98-20	*	Coping with Climate – a national climate in agriculture program	Mr. Cameron Archer	(02) 4939 8888
RAS98-32	*	Studies on Integrated Wastewater treatment and aquaculture production	Dr. Martin Kumar	(08) 8200 2446
RAS98-40		Towards sustainability: markets, commercial institutions and agricultural best practice	Prof. Neil Gunningham	(02) 6249 3397
RAS98-51	*	Making sustainable agriculture bankable – initial steps toward national marketing strategies	Ms. Genevieve Carruthers	(02) 6626 1237
RAS98-52	*	Environmental auditing and quality assurance models for Australian Agriculture	Mr. Jason Alexandra	(03) 5627 8420
RAS98-74	*	Distichlis for Rehabilitation of highly saline areas for grain, turf and grazing	Mr. John Leake	08 8272 8088
RAS98-76	*	Biological Control of Serrated Tussock and Chilean Needle Grass	Dr. David Briese	(02) 6246 4045
CSE-82A		Biological Control of Blue Heliotrope	Dr. David Briese	(02) 6246 4045

Program 4.3: Human Capital, Communications & Information Systems

Project No.	Neg Am	Title	Researcher	Phone
HCC98-07		Priorities for research into rural communities and rural social issues	Dr. John Duff	(08) 9400 5747
HCC98-08	*	Owner characteristics and strategic planning as determinants of Australian Family Farm Business grow	Prof. Claudio Romano	(03) 9903 2171
HCC98-13		A database of automation technology and expertise in agriculture	Mr. Geoffrey Hamilton	(02) 6925 0020`
HCC98-14	*	A national on-line information service with search engine for agri-industry	Mr. Gary McKenzie	(08) 9478 3343
HCC98-27		Personal computer (PC) training strategy for farmers	Mr. Arthur Stubbs	(03) 9844 1135
HCC98-35		A publication about the safe storage of farm chemicals	Iain Chalmers	(08) 9478 3343
HCC98-38	*	Tools for participatory R&D in dryland cropping areas	Dr. R John Petheram	(03) 5362 2222
HCC98-42	*	Stock and station agents as information providers: improving farmers' productivity	CD Martin
HCC98-49	*	Missed Opportunities: Stage 2 & stage 3	Ms. Helen Board	(02) 6272 3984
HCC98-57		Evaluation of farm injury prevention in Victoria 1998-2001	Dr. Lesley Day	(03) 9905 1811
HCC98-61	*	How rural communities can address the impact of online services on their community	Ms. Rosie Simpson	(02) 6273 6384
HCC98-63	*	The complete farmers guide to the internet - the second edition of the Australian Farmer's guide to	Ms. Rosie Simpson	(02) 6273 6384
HCC98-65	*	Coordinator of Australian Rural Online Services	Ms. Rosie Simpson	(02) 6273 6384

4. Consultations with Stakeholders

For the purposes of reporting on operations in 1997-98, RIRDC had three organisations prescribed by Section 7 of it’s legislation. This requires RIRDC to report annually on its activities each financial period. This accountability runs parallel to RIRDC’s Annual Report to the Minister and the Parliament. Reporting during 1997-98 occurred as follows:

National Farmers’ Federation 19 November 1997

Australian Egg Industry Association 19 November 1997

The Australian Chicken Meat Federation By correspondence and Incorporated again on 13 May, 1998

RIRDC’s reporting to these three prescribed bodies was either done by correspondence or when industry meetings were being held for their own purposes. The Corporation made no payments towards the costs of these meetings.

On 13 March, 1998, the Corporation reported to the Deer Industry Association of Australia on the operations of Sub-Program 2.4 Deer. The costs of this consultation to the Corporation was nearly $4,000.

The Corporation consulted with the following seven industry bodies in the preparation of this Annual Operational Plan, 1998-99:

National Farmers’ Federation
Australian Egg Industry Association
The Australian Chicken Meat Federation Incorporated
Australian Horse Industry Council
Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia
Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
Deer Industry Association of Australia

Our intention is to continue using industry meetings for reporting purposes. The costs of this approach are minimised but an amount of up to $10,000 has been set aside in the 1998-99 ‘Corporate’ Budget of $0.5m to meet any costs which may arise in this process.

Corporate Directrory

Chair Professor Beth Woods	Phone: 07/5460 1028 Email: bwoods@uqg.uq.edu.au
Managing Director Mr. Peter Core	Phone: 02 6272 4819 Email: peterc@rirdc.gov.au
General Manager (New and Emerging Industries) Mr. Peter Core	Phone: 02/6272 5920 Email: peterc@rirdc.gov.au
General Manager (Established Industries) Dr. Jeff Davis	Phone: 02/6272 4152 Email: jeffd@rirdc.gov.au
General Manager (Future Agricultural Systems) Mr. Tony Byrne	Phone: (02) 6272 5472 Email: tonyb@rirdc.gov.au
Manager (Business and Finance) Mr. Claudio Ciuffetelli	Phone: 02/6272 4656 Email: claudioc@rirdc.gov.au
Manager (Communications) Ms. Eva Hickman	Phone: 02/6272 3186 Email: evah@rirdc.gov.au
Corporation Secretary Ms. Andrea Bryant	Phone: 02/6272 3088 Email: andreab@rirdc.gov.au

Internal Auditors Acumen Alliance/Stanton Partners External AuditorsAustralian National Audit Office