RIRDC Completed Projects in 2000-2001 & Research in Progress as at June 2001

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To Fodder Crops  Completed Projects
 

3.6 Fodder Crops  Research in progress
PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION

Plant Breeding and Germplasm Evaluation

IPB-2A	Evaluation of potential fodder legume and grass crops for dryland hay production	Dr Ross Downes	(02) 6255 1461	Innovative Plant Breeders Pty Ltd
SAR-31A	Development of improved oat varieties for hay end-use	Dr Pamela Zwer	(08) 8303 9485	South Australian Research and Development Institute

Plant Disease, Weed, Pest and Micro-organism Management

UQ-82A

Field testing microbial inoculants for hay preservation

Dr Peter Dart

(07) 3365 2867

The University of Queensland

Quality Standards

JLB-1A	Development of an integrated R&D project to specify fodder quality	Dr John Black	(02) 4753 6231	John L Black Consulting
DAV-187A	Objective measurement of fodder quality across animal species	Dr Peter Flinn	(03) 5573 0915	Dept of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic)
DRD-4A	National Forage Conservation Project - Reliable Laboratory Test for Silage	Dr A Kaiser	(02) 6938 1852	NSW Dept of Agriculture

Plant Breeding and Germplasm Evaluation
 

Project Title	Evaluation of potential fodder legume and grass crops for dryland hay production
RIRDC Project No:	IPB-2A
Start Date:	01/07/99
Finish Date:	30/09/02
Researcher:	Dr Ross Downes
Organisation:	Innovative Plant Breeders Pty Ltd PO Box 256 HAWKER ACT 2614
Phone:	(02) 62551461
Fax:	(02) 62784676
Email:	rdownes@ipbaustralia.com
Objectives	· To identify the varieties of grasses and annual fodder legumes best able to meet the demand for reliable production of quality hay in a range of environments. Data will be provided to indicate the relative profitability of various species and varieties for hay, and the environmental and economic advantages of producing hay in comparison to wool and beef.
Current Progress	In field studies in diverse environments fodder legumes have produced 4 to 6 t/ha. Prime quality vetch contained 21% protein but quality decreased if harvest was delayed. Fodder legumes are demonstrating adaptation to diverse conditions, some withstanding water-logging, short seasons and cold winters. Subsequent wheat crops of 4 to 5 t/ha do not respond to nitrogen fertilisers, reflecting the fixation of about 20 kg N per tonne of dry matter by fodder legumes. The ability of diverse species of fodder legumes to compete with weed populations is being monitored and they are being evaluated as nurse crops in lucerne establishment. In the absence of locally adapted varieties, accessions of timothy and brome grasses were introduced for evaluation. Ecotypes from the Mediterranean show particular promise and individual erect, leafy plants have been selected for seed production and further evaluation. Progress reports have been provided through industry meetings and newsletters. Close contact is being maintained with the Australian Fodder Industry Association for commercial input and determining market prospects This research is providing data to allow economic assessment of the potential of annual fodder legumes in Australia. Their contribution to nitrogen fixation, weed and disease control and production of quality hay and silage are being determined in relation to cost of production. Value of export hay is being compared with that of value-added meat and dairy products obtained through intensive management and feeding hay and silage. The value of fodder legumes is also being compared with that of traditional grain crops and pastures. The potential of fodder legumes to complement or modify existing land management practices is being examined.


 

Project Title	Development of improved oat varieties for hay end-use
RIRDC Project No:	SAR-31A
Start Date:	01/01/01
Finish Date:	31/12/03
Researcher:	Dr. Pamela Zwer
Organisation:	South Australian Research and Development Institute GPO Box 397 ADELAIDE SA 5001
Phone:	(08) 8303 9485
Fax:	(08) 9303 9378
Email:	zwer.pamela@saugov.sa.gov.au
Objectives	· Provide growers and industry with improved oat varieties for hay end-use, so that the risk of producing first grade oaten hay is reduced, ensuring the highest economic return. This will be achieved by introducing new genetic variability for traits such as dry matter production, stem diameter, and colour. Establishing a better understanding of components affecting palatability and determining the extent of genetic variability in oat germplasm for these factors will lead to a strategy for improving palatability in new oat varieties.
Current Progress	Obtain seed of new germplasm Seed of two forage varieties released by the University of Saskatoon and developed by Dr. Brian Rossnagel were requested. The varieties have novel plant characteristics due to the introgression of the tetraploid wild oat Avena magna. Potential for hay production will be assessed once the lines have come through quarantine. Seed from the 1998 and 1999 Quaker Oat International Nursery was obtained. Approximately 180 lines will be sown in the winter bird proof enclosure at the Waite Precinct in single rows. Agronomic data and seed increase will occur in the first field season.

Plant Disease, Weed, Pest and Micro-organism Management
 

Project Title	Field testing microbial innoculants for hay preservation
RIRDC Project No:	UQ-82A
Start Date:	01/07/98
Finish Date:	28/02/01
Researcher:	Dr. Peter Dart
Organisation:	The University of Queensland School of Land and Food Systems ST. LUCIA QLD 4072
Phone:	(07) 3365 2867
Fax:	(07) 3365 1188
Email:	p.dart@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Objectives	· To develop a commercial microbial inoculum for the preservation of hay and hay pellets that inhibits growth of spoilage fungi and thereby results in a superior product with a higher value in the market place. The inoculum will be available at a cost effective price and easy to use with little expenditure on application equipment. The product will potentially be available for export.
Current Progress	Losses of quality on baling of hay can be considerable if hay is preserved too dry because this will induce leaf shatter particularly for lucerne and clover hays. Bailing hay too moist, largely because of variable weather, can lead to spoilage through overheating and fungal contamination and rotting of the hay.  This project is in the final stages of developing a commercial inoculant to be known as HayRiteTM, that has been shown to preserve moist hay against fungal attack and thereby results in superior quality fodder with a higher value in the market place. Successful field trials in SE Qld and in Victoria have shown that the inoculum is effective in preserving lucerne, sorghum and rye grass/clover hay. We have also demonstrated that animal intake is not effected after hay is sprayed with the inoculum. It is anticipated that the inoculum will be available by the end of 2001 at a cost-effective price and easy to use with little expenditure on application equipment. Before HayRiteTM is commercialised further rigorous testing of the formulation in farm trials will be conducted.

Quality Standards
 

Project Title	Development of an integrated R&D project to specify fodder quality
RIRDC Project No:	JLB-1A
Start Date:	01/08/00
Finish Date:	31/10/03
Researcher:	Dr. John Black
Organisation:	John L Black Consulting Locked Bag 21 WARRIMOO NSW 2774
Phone:	(02) 4753 6231
Fax:	(02) 4753 6295
Email:	jblack@pnc.com.au
Objectives	· An integrated R&D program to attain a nationally uniform method which delivers to the fodder industry in Australia a practical measurement system based on voluntary feed intake, palatablility and choice preference which can be reflected in a fodder market grading system for domestic and export fodder. · An effectively coordinated expanded "Horse Project" (Objective measurement of fodder quality across animal species). · A proposal submitted to RIRDC for phase 2 of the integrated project "Specification of fodder quality".
Current Progress	After extensive consultation with the fodder industry and various Rural R&D Corporations, a comprehensive research plan was established. The plan involved: a) Collection of at least 60 hay samples varying widely in plant species and quality, b) Comprehensive analysis of all chemical and physical characteristics suspected to influence fodder quality, c) The feeding of each fodder to lactating dairy cows, beef cattle, horses and adult sheep, and measurement of preference, voluntary intake and digestibility, d) Selection of a small, but adequate, number of fodder characteristics for each animal class that best explain quality and development of a nationally uniform fodder specification system, which could be used by different industry sectors to develop integrated fodder grading systems, e) Develop rapid methods for measuring the characteristics used in the grading systems to facilitate the objective trading of hay. Insufficient funds could be raised to conduct the full program. Consequently, an initial experiment will measure preference for 18 cereal and legume hays by each animal type, with intake and digestibility being measured for 8-11 of the hays with dairy cows, sheep, beef cattle and horses. The aim of this experiment is to determine whether the rank in preference, intake and digestibility is the same across the animal types and whether the extensive information available for sheep can be used to develop fodder specifications for the other animal types. Further funding is being sought for the phase 2 of the program.


 
 

Project Title	Objective measurement of fodder quality across animal species
RIRDC Project No:	DAV-187A
Start Date:	12/12/00
Finish Date:	09/09/02
Researcher:	Mr Peter Flinn and Mr Leo Cummins
Organisation:	Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Vic) Private Bag 105 HAMILTON VIC 3300
Phone:	(03) 5573 0909
Fax:	(03) 5571 1523
Email:	peter.flinn@nre.vic.gov.au, leo.cummins@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	· A set of "standard" fodder samples with measured in vivo digestibility, intake and preference across beef cattle, lactating dairy cows, horses and sheep, to be used as a basis for a uniform objective procedure for the specification of fodder quality.
Current Progress	The set of legume and cereal hays which will be tested have been assembled at Hamilton. A technical meeting was held in Adelaide to finalise the objectives and general methodology. Final protocol development, particularly for the preference work is being undertaken. Plans are in hand to start the actual experimental work in sheep, beef cattle and horses at PVI, Hamilton and the dairy cows at DRI Ellinbank in July 2001.


 

Project Title	National Forage Conservation Project - Reliable Laboratory Test for Silage
RIRDC Project No:	DRD-4A
Start Date:	01/07/00
Finish Date:	30/06/03
Researcher:	Dr A G Kaiser
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Special Livestock Research Officer Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute Private Mail Bag (Pine Gully Road) WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650
Phone:	(02) 6938 1852
Fax:	(02) 6938 1809
Email:	alan.kaiser@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· Improve the effective utilisation of silage on Australian dairy farms by; improving the accuracy of feed tests to assess silage quality for the dairy, fodder, lamb & beef industries
Current Progress	It is planned to feed approximately 30 silages to cattle, and approximately 20 of these same silages to sheep, to determine in vivo digestibility at a restricted level of intake (near maintenance). These in vivo "standards" will then be used to evaluate a range of laboratory methods to determine which most accurately estimate digestibility. Feed testing laboratories can use the silage standards to calibrate their chemical methods. More accurate methods for estimating true silage dry matter and crude protein content, that take account of the losses of silage volatiles during oven drying, will also be developed. We plan to develop simple correction equations that can be used by feed testing laboratories to predict true dry matter and crude protein content from results obtained by oven drying. Silage making has commenced. In spring 2000 nine silages were produced from forages varying widely in quality, and included annual grasses, cereals, lucerne and clover. In April 2001 a further seven silages were produced from irrigated maize (3), sweet sorghum (2), forage sorghum and grain sorghum crops. The animal feeding work with the first batch of 12 silages will commence in July.