R&D Plan

Current research investments by the RIRDC Fodder Crops R&D Program are guided by the strategic directions set out in the Fodder Crops Five-Year Research and Development Plan 2009-2013. 

The plan has been developed in consultation with industry and most particularly the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA). The plan details the agreed strategic R&D needs of the industry, which will be pursued by RIRDC in concert with industry as sufficient funds become available.

This Plan has a vision for a sustainable and profitable Australian fodder industry producing quality product.

Its mission is to stimulate and promote those R&D efforts that will produce quality products and secure sustainability and profitability for all sectors of the Australian fodder industry value chain in domestic and export markets.

This will be achieved by focusing on seven key R&D goals. These have been developed during discussions in more recent workshops and industry meetings. The key goals (not necessarily in priority order) are:

• New Markets and Products
• Plant Breeding and Germplasm Evaluation
• Crop Agronomy - Nutrition, Disease, Weed, Pest and Micro-organism Management
• Hay and Silage Production, Processing and Transport
• Improved Fodder Quality
• Industry Biosecurity and Environmental Management
• Industry Communication and Information Flows.

R&D program monitoring and funding base development has not been included as a specific R&D goal. However, the Committee and Program will support these activities on an ongoing basis.