RIRDC Completed Projects in 2002-2003 & Research in Progress as at June 2003

BACK TO INDEX

To Fodder Crops Completed Projects
 

3.6 Fodder Crops -  Research in progress

PROJECT No

PROJECT TITLE

RESEARCHER

PHONE

ORGANISATION

Plant Breeding and Germplasm Evaluation

QFP-1A	Development and commercialisation of a new perennial forage legume (forage peanut {FP} Arachis glabrata) for fodder production in semi-arid tropics of Northern Australia	Mr. Fergal O'Gara	(08) 8999 2233	Quality Forage Peanut
SAR-50A	Development of improved oat varieties for hay production: national program	Dr. Pamela Zwer	(08) 8303 9485	South Australian Research and Development Institute

Quality Standards

JLB-1A	Development of an integrated R&D activity to specify fodder quality	Dr. John Black	(02) 4753 6231	John L Black Consulting
UA-64A	Fodder quality specification; identifying predictors of preferences between fodders	Dr. Dean Revell	(08) 8303 7911	The University of Adelaide
DAV-187A	Objective measurement of fodder quality across animal species	Mr. Peter Flinn	(03) 5573 0915	Department of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic)

New Markets and Products

DAW-103A	Developing sustainable fodder crop systems with new annual pasture legumes	Dr. Anyou Liu	(08) 9690 2000	Department of Agriculture (WA)
ROA-1A	Testing and simulation of hay bale loading on semi-trailers	Mr. Peter Sweatman	(03) 9334 7888	Roaduser Systems Pty Ltd

Industry Communication and Information Flows

DAN-202A

Technology transfer of BMP/QA systems for quality lucerne hay production

Ms. Mary-Anne Lattimore

(02) 6951 2695

NSW Department of Agriculture

Plant Breeding and Germplasm Evaluation

Project Title	Development and commercialisation of a new perennial forage legume (forage peanut {FP} Arachis glabrata) for fodder production in semi-arid tropics of Northern Australia
RIRDC Project No:	QFP-1A
Start Date:	30/08/01
Finish Date:	30/11/04
Researcher:	Mr. Fergal O'Gara
Organisation:	Quality Forage Peanut 22 Kapalga St TIWI NT 0810
Phone:	(08) 8999 2233
Fax:	(08) 8999 2043
Email:	fergal.ogara@dpif.nt.gov.au
Objectives	· The major outcome will be the availability of a new high quality legume fodder (forage peanut) to the NT market, which will ultimately be available to other producers for propagation and production. There will also be a comprehensive advisory and information package available on the management and benefits of this species. The net result will be higher and more consistent fodder quality, better livestock feeding efficiencies and more sustainable fodder production systems in northern Australia.
Current Progress	The project research group experienced substantial changes during the past year. This has made it very difficult for the original aims of the project to be achieved. Through mutual agreement the project has been terminated and most project funds returned to RIRDC. A final report on the work which was undertaken is being prepared so that there is a base of information if others wish to follow up on the original developments. The research organisation will still continue this activity but on a much smaller commercial scale.


 

Project Title	Development of improved oat varieties for hay production: national program
RIRDC Project No.:	SAR-50A
Start Date:	1-July-02
Finish Date:	31-Dec-06
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	· A coordinated breeding program for the development of improved oat varieties for hay production in southern Australia including Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. · New oat varieties characterised in major hay producing regions. · Rapid uptake of new varieties by industry and growers. · Expansion of the breeding program to include late maturing oat populations. · Evaluate stage 3 (S3) advanced breeding lines for disease resistance, dry matter production, and quality.
Current Progress (200 words maximum)	Stage 5 hay trials composed of 18 entries and three replications were sown for the first time at York, Wongan Hills, and Narrogin in WA. Stage 5 hay trials consisting of 16 entries with three replications were sown in South Australia and Victoria at Wanilla, Minnipa, Waikerie, Kybybolite, and Elmore. Stage 4 hay trials for 2003 have 36 entries with three replications and were sown at Pinery, Kingsford, Birdwood, and Hart. Thirty-seven parental lines grown in the glasshouse were assessed for hay quality. The germplasm was acquired from the United Kingdom, Canada, Illinois, North Dakota, and Brazil. There were three lines from Brazil and one line from Canada with favourable values for digestibility, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and metabolisable energy. Another ten lines had at least one favourable value for digestibility or NDF. Stem diameter and leaf colour were also assessed for the thirty-seven lines. A new variety for hay production was named Brusher. It is adapted to low and medium rainfall regions and is slightly earlier to head than Wintaroo. Brusher is resistant and moderately tolerant to cereal cyst nematode with modest improvements to stem and leaf rust resistance. Brusher has had consistently higher digestibility than Wintaroo.

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:	31/05/05
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, palatability and choice preference which can be reflected in a fodder market grading system for domestic and export fodder. · An effectively coordinated expanded "Cross Species" experiment for objective comparison of fodder quality. · A Manual containing agreed protocols for chemical and physical measurements of hays.  · A fodder quality specification system for intake and digestibility based on results from adult sheep. · Specification system for preference for different animal species based on detailed chemical and physical analyses. · An effectively coordinated activity resulting in the development of NIR equations and appropriate laboratory analyses for measurements included in fodder quality specification systems.
Current Progress	The ‘cross species’ experiment investigating the relative rank in preference, intake and digestibility for lactating dairy cows, horses, steers and sheep offered cereal and legume hays has been completed. Although some hays had either high or low preference across all animal types, the rank was not consistent. The digestibility of hays was similar between steers and dairy cows but not between steers and horses. There appeared to be a consistent bias in digestibility values for steers and sheep. The rank in voluntary intake across animal types was not consistent, but there were some relationships between the results for sheep and other animals. Overall the experiment indicates that sheep cannot be used to determine the rank in hay preference by other animals. Further interpretation of the results for digestibility and intake is required to determine whether the rank found for sheep can be used to predict the rank for other animals. Results from three RIRDC funded experiments are being analysed to identify the characteristics of hays that determine intake and digestibility in sheep. In addition, an experiment involving approximately 100 each of cereal and lucerne hays is being planned to identify the determinants of preference for lactating dairy cows and horses.


 

Project Title	Fodder quality specification; identifying predictors of preferences between fodders
RIRDC Project No:	UA-64A
Start Date:	01-Apr-2003
Finish Date:	30-Nov-2005
Researcher:	Dr. Dean Revell
Organisation:	The University of Adelaide
Phone:	(08) 8303 7911
Fax:	(08) 8303 7972
Email:	dean.revell@adelaide.edu.au
Objectives	Provide accurate predictions of the acceptability (preference) of fodders by animals based on the chemical, including volatile, and physical 'profile' of the fodder.
Current Progress	Animals frequently show strong selection preferences for a particular hay over another when given the choice. Information on the ‘preference value’ for hay is useful to predict short-term feed intake responses when animals are presented with a new batch of hay. This project aims to provide accurate predictions of ‘preference value’ for oaten hays fed to dairy cows, and oaten and lucerne hays fed to horses. Hays will be characterised (or ‘fingerprinted’) for chemical composition, odour profile, physical characteristics and spectral profiles from NIRS, and relationships to preference values will be developed. The ultimate goal is to provide a rapid and cost-effective means for defining preference values to provide industry with a reliable method to describe this important characteristic of hay quality. The project commenced in April 2003, and has established a steering committee involving industry partners, and a PhD student, Ms Sarah Pain, has been appointed to the project. About 50 oaten hays have been selected to date, covering a range in in vitro digestibility (55-67%), neutral detergent fibre content (47-66%) and water-soluble carbohydrate content (16-30%). The project will include hays from at least two seasons, with feeding trials in progress over a 2-year period.


 

Project Title	Objective measurement of fodder quality across animal species
RIRDC Project No.:	DAV-187A
Start Date:	12-Dec-2000
Finish Date:	09-Dec-2002
Researcher:	Mr. Peter Flinn
Organisation:	Department of Primary Industries (Vic)
Phone:	(03) 5573 0915
Fax:	(03) 5571 1523
Email:	peter.flinn@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 (200 words maximum)	The final report for the project has been received and has been reviewed. The review has suggested several changes which are being undertaken by the research group. The report should be finalised and available in August/ September 2003.

New Markets and Products
 

Project Title	Developing sustainable fodder crop systems with new annual pasture legumes
RIRDC Project No.:	DAW-103A
Start Date:	1-Feb-03
Finish Date:	31-May-06
Researcher:	Dr. Anyou Liu
Organisation:	Department of Agriculture (WA) Centre for Cropping Systems PO Box 483 NORTHAM WA 6401
Phone:	(08) 9690 2000
Fax:	(08) 9622 1902
Email:	aliu@agric.wa.gov.au
Objectives	· Fodder cropping systems based on newly developed annual pasture legumes will be tested and promoted to the farming community in the medium rainfall wheatbelt of Western Australia with benefits to southern Australia. · Major feed quality indicators for new pasture legumes will be measured. · The effects of management and preservation methods on feed quality will be evaluated and used to improve management practices leading to better quality end products.
Current Progress (200 words maximum)	A steering committee meeting was held on 7th October 2002. There were 14 participants including researchers, seed growers and representatives of the fodder industry. Major issues for the project were discussed and directions for the project set. Giles Glasson has been appointed as the technical officer (0.25 FTE) for this project. He has previous experience in the support of pasture research and will be a valuable addition to the project. Five on-farm trial sites have been selected in 2003 (Capel, Brookton, York, Gillingarra, and Mingenew), with enthusiastic support from participating farmers and farmer groups. Ten fodder treatments are to be tested in these trials including seven pasture legumes. The York site will have three replicates while the other four sites will have one replicate each. Seed supply for these trials is sponsored by PlantTech and is complemented by Ballard Seeds and CLIMA. The seeding program is under way and is anticipated to be finished by the end of May.


 

Project Title:	Testing and simulation of hay bale loading on semi-trailers
RIRDC Project No.:	ROA-1A
Researcher:	Dr Peter F Sweatman
Organisation:	Roaduser Systems Pty Ltd
Phone:	(03) 9334 7888
Fax:	(03) 9334 7877
Email:	peter@roaduser.com.au
Objectives	To determine, by physical testing, the stability characteristics of various hay bale types when loaded onto semi-trailers with various stacking arrangements and load restraint techniques. To show, by computer simulation, that typical hay trucks loaded with various hay bale types can comply with the new Performance-Based Standards (PBS) for heavy vehicles developed by the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC).
Background	In recent years there has been a significant increase in the volume of hay traded in Australia, which has seen an increase in the number of accidents involving vehicle rollovers or hay falling from trucks. As a consequence, enforcement officers have selectively focused load restraint and dimensional infringement notices on the hay transport sector, highlighting the inequity in the regulatory system that has different rules in each State.
Research	By testing the lateral rigidity of restrained semi-trailer loads of hay bales, computer simulation modelling of those loads on typical hay trucks was used to determine the effect of load movement on overall vehicle stability. This methodology was used to aid the development of consistent loading rules with a scientific basis that directly addresses stability concerns.
Outcomes	The research found that hay trucks have reasonably high roll stability, dependent mainly upon bale type and load height. Load shift was found to be small, even at high levels of lateral acceleration, provided that proper load restraints are used. The effect of load restraint method on roll stability was found to be of some significance and small but worthwhile benefits were found for some improved load restraint practices. The research also showed that certain stacking arrangements not allowed under current regulations are better performers than certain loads that are currently allowed.
Implications	This research project offers a solid scientific basis for consideration by State road authorities when revising current hay loading rules to allow more productive and efficient transport of hay bales on semi-trailers without compromising safety.
Publications	N/A

Industry Communication and Information Flows
 

Project Title	Technology transfer of BMP/QA systems for quality lucerne hay production
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-202A
Start Date:	1-Jul-02
Finish Date:	30-Sep-04
Researcher:	Ms. Mary-Anne Lattimore
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Yanco Agricultural Institute PMB YANCO NSW 2703
Phone:	02 6951 2695
Fax:	02 6951 2620
Email:	mary-anne.lattimore@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· To improve the efficiency and profitability of Australian lucerne hay production, and improve market access to producers by means of a Best Management Practices (BMP) extension package for growers and advisors.
Current Progress (200 words maximum)	Highly relevant information was gained at the Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar in Pasco, Washington, USA (Oct-Nov 2002). Knowledge and skills in lucerne hay production and processing were also gained from leading hay producers, research and extension workers in the Pacific-Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California).  The Project Steering Committee, comprising key personnel in the Australian Fodder Industry has helped determine what information is needed and how the project should be conducted. They have also helped to identify key lucerne growing locations and contacts around Australia.  Liaison has occurred with hay growers, researchers and other industry people but the planned farmer focus groups to gather Australian BMP in major lucerne hay producing areas have been delayed by the drought. (My major involvement in the preparation of a Drought Exceptional Circumstances Application, statewide drought survey, meetings etc. was unforseen at the commencement of this project, as was the high demand for lucerne courses at MCA Yanco this year). Focus group meetings will now take place in July-December 2003, a delay of 6 months on the original time scale.