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PROGRAM 3. ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES
3.3 Honeybee
3.5 Horses
3.7 Pasture Seeds
3.4 Rice
3.6 Fodder Crops3.4 Rice
Objective: To improve the profitability and sustainability of the Australian rice industry. Expenditure in 1998/99: $2,520,066
Strategies
This sub-program has its own five-year R&D plan, which is accessible in hardcopy and on the Internet at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/ricr&d.html
- Provide varieties that result in increased efficiency at the farm level, meet customer requirements and maintain pure seed quality.
- Improve crop establishment, agronomy/ physiology, nutrition and protection from weeds and diseases.
- Improve the sustainability of the rice farming system.
- Develop world best practice technologies for harvesting, handling, milling and processing rice.
- Foster and achieve innovation, both on and off farm.
Background
The Australian rice industry is primarily based in the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys of southern New South Wales, where some 2,500 family farms produce between 1 and 1.4 million tonnes of paddy a year. It is one of the most productive and efficient rice industries in the world, with yields averaging 8.9 tonnes per hectare. The industry has a farmgate gross value of production of around $300 million and earns more than $500 million in exports (mostly of value-added rice in small branded packs) to more than 40 destinations.
Achievements in 1998/99
Released new variety:
Released an award winning new variety, Opus (YRK4), that was developed specifically for the high quality Japanese market.
- Developing additional varieties:
Took additional new varieties to the advanced development stage, especially incorporating the results of grain quality improvement testing research that will provide varieties focused on specific consumer demands.- Fertiliser application guidelines:
Increased understanding of nutrient use and requirements, which has facilitated further refinements to fertiliser application guidelines for growers.- Reducing water use:
Developed methods for soil problems and soil compaction to reduce water use in rice growing.- Integrated weed management:
Made advances in integrated weed management through better understanding of chemical use and resistance.- Genetic engineering:
Obtained preliminary results from genetic engineering, with some transformed lines being available for further fieldwork. Obtained a provisional patent for the transformation techniques developed during this work and investigated options for possible commercialisation.- Rice harvesting guide:
Produced a comprehensive guide to rice harvesting machinery and practices.
RICE SUB-ACCOUNT ACTUAL 1997/1999
($)1998/1999 ($) Opening Balance Total Revenues Total Expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) Closing Balance
Publications in 1998/99
1998 Rice R&D special issue, farmers' newsletter 1998 Rice check recommendations: a guide to objective rice crop management for improving yields, grain quality and profits. 98/94 Rice research in progress Research Manager: Dr Jeff Davis
Phone: (02) 6272 4152 Fax: (02) 6272 5877 Email: jeffd@rirdc.gov.au Rice Exports to Japan
Source: Ricegrowers’ Cooperative Limited
Australian Rice Production
Source: Ricegrowers’ Cooperative Limited
3.5 Horses
Objective: Assist in developing the Australian horse industry and enhancing its export potential. Expenditure in 1998/99: $599,812
Strategies
The major R&D program areas are outlined in the Five Year Strategic Plan for Equine Research (see website www.usyd.edu.au/su/rirdc/).
- Decrease wastage in the industry associated with both reproduction and athletic injuries through studies that:
- identify management methods that improve conception and live foal rates — major issues for the horse breeding industry.
- aim to prevent or treat the major causes of limb injuries (the key limb injuries were identified in a completed RIRDC project).
- Top up Ph.D. stipends to attract postgraduate students into equine-related research areas and encourage students who have received Commonwealth Government or other support for their Ph.D. research to continue their valuable work for the industry’s benefit.
- Identify and support epidemiologically related projects. One key area for population-based studies is developmental orthopaedic disease in foals, a disease that causes significant economic loss.
- Encourage projects that involve collaborative work between discipline areas and institutions to ‘value add’ to the investment by government and the horse industry.
- Support collaborative research between veterinary practitioners and universities with an emphasis on linking practitioners on short term research projects.
- Support exchange of information between local and overseas researchers.
- Develop methods for assessing fitness in performance horses.
This sub-program has its own five-year R&D plan, which is accessible in hardcopy and on the Internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/equiRD1.html
Background
The horse industry is one of Australia’s biggest industries and is worth more than $15 billion a year. There are more than 1.2 million horses used for racing, equestrian sports and recreation and there is a large breeding industry, with Australia producing the second highest number of Thoroughbred foals in the world after the United States.
In 1995, RIRDC appointed an Equine Research and Development Advisory Committee to oversee a R&D program, following agreement by the then Australian Conference of Principal Racing Clubs (now the Australian Racing Board) to provide significant financial support.
The Committee oversees the investment of government and industry funds in equine R&D projects. Since the commencement of the program, additional financial support has been received from the Australian Harness Racing Council, the Equestrian Federation of Australia, the Australian Stock Horse Society, the Australian Quarter Horse Association, the Australian Equine Veterinary Association, the Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Club and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.
The Committee has worked closely with the Australian Horse Industry Council in promoting and integrating the R&D program to meet the needs of the horse industry. The Five Year R&D Equine Industry Plan is reviewed annually by the key stakeholders, the most recent review being in November 1998.
Achievements in 1998/99
- Supported 27 projects:
Continued support for equine research and development projects across Australia, with 27 projects currently in place, covering infectious diseases, reproduction, nutrition, pasture research, drug development, lameness and working surfaces.- Industry newsletter:
Continued the quarterly RIRDC Equine Research News as a major vehicle for disseminating information about the equine R&D program, bringing the latest research information to the horse industry in a user-friendly format. The newsletter is distributed to more than 10,000 people in the horse industry and an electronic version is made available free of charge to all horse organisations to distribute to their members. It is estimated that the information reaches more than 100,000 people involved with horses.- Expanded the Internet website:
Further developed the Internet website that contains invaluable information about the equine R&D program, indexed articles of all previously published material in the RIRDC Equine Research News, the Five Year Equine R&D Plan and information on the Equine R&D Advisory Committee.- Horse wastage report:
Produced the booklets Wastage in the Australian Racing Industry and Healthy Land, Healthy Horses. These booklets provide new information on factors leading to the loss of horses from racing and advice about management of horses and land use around urban areas.- Industry research seminar:
Held a major two-day industry seminar at Scone to present the latest research information to those in the horse industry. The seminar was attended by more than 200 people from around Australia.- Industry R&D plan:
Reviewed, with the assistance of major horse organisations, the Five Year Strategic Plan for Equine R&D. This review enabled identification of key strategies for 2000/2001.- Equine epidemiology workshop:
Developed a major workshop on equine epidemiology to establish strategic goals for future research and enhance the skills of veterinary researchers in this emerging area.- Equine research awards:
Held the fourth annual RIRDC–Vetsearch Equine Research Awards in Adelaide, with the award for Major Industry Contribution going to Mr RM Williams. Awards for Equine Researcher of the Year and Equine Research Student of the Year were presented respectively to Asssociate Professor David Hodgson of the University of Sydney and Dr Mark Williamson of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory and University of Melbourne.
HORSES SUB-ACCOUNT ACTUAL 1997/1998($) 1998/1999 ($) Opening Balance Total Revenues Total Expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) Closing Balance Publications in 1998/99
- Equine research news (4 issues) - Horses publication flyer 98/52 Wastage in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry 98/65 Workshop on training for farriery and a strategic plan for the future 98/75 Horses: research in progress 98/137 Healthy land, healthy horses 99/9 Evaluating the potential for a horse industry information service 99/26 Acute equine respiratory syndrome 99/27 Diagnosis of equine virus diseases 99/44 Reducing dust in horse stables and transporters Research Manager: Prof. Reuben Rose
Phone: (02) 9351 6935 Fax: (02) 9660 1548 Email: rjrose@camden.usyd.edu.au
3.6 Fodder Crops
StrategiesThis sub-program has its own five-year R&D plan, which is accessible in hardcopy and on the Internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/fodder5yr.htm
- Improve Australia’s competitiveness in the development and supply of fodder-based products for the intensive livestock industries in Australia and emerging livestock industries in East Asia.
- Develop varieties of fodder species that better meet existing and potential market requirements for domestic and export customers.
- Provide a clear understanding of and effective control mechanisms for disease, weed, pest and micro-organism impacts on fodder production.
- Ensure Australian-produced fodder in domestic and export markets meets customer expectations for quality in terms of product description and quality attributes, such as metabolisable energy, protein content and level of extraneous matter and residues.
- Ensure early successful adoption of R&D program outcomes.
Background
Fodder is defined as the wide range of crop and pasture species that are grown, harvested and lightly processed to facilitate both on-farm use and domestic and export trade.
The fodder industry is large with an estimated 20,000 producers on 46,000 properties across all States producing approximately 1.2 million tonnes of hay and other products a year. This production is traded as a wide range of fodder including lucerne, clover, pasture, cereal straw and others.
The gross value of production at the farm gate is estimated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics at $750 million a year and with value added it has a gross value of production in excess of $1 billion a year.
About 80 per cent of production is for on-farm use, much of it made on the same property, but the off-farm traded fodder sector is increasing in size to supply domestic and export markets.
Fodder production is concentrated in Victoria and New South Wales. The largest domestic market users are the dairy and beef industries although the horse industry is also a significant user of fodder.
The animal feeds industry in East Asia is estimated to be US$10 billion, and it is perceived that a large untapped demand will enable the industry to develop many new opportunities. Australia to date has had limited success in this market.
Japan is currently Australia’s most important export market, buying 7200 tonnes of lucerne hay, 8900 tonnes of lucerne meal and pellets, and 211,000 tonnes of other hay and chaff in 1996/97 worth approximately $57 million.
The growth in the dairy, feedlot and livestock industries is providing opportunities for industry growth in the future.
Achievements in 1998/99
- New varieties:
Released several new fodder varieties suitable for southern Australia.- Common standards for energy content:
Finalised the development of common standards for assessing the metabolisable energy content of fodder species in all laboratories in Australia.
Fodder Exports to Japan
Publications in 1998/99
98/73 Fodder research in progress R&D update (insert in Australian Fodder Industry Association newsletter - 4 issues) Research Manager: Dr Jeff Davis
Phone: (02) 6272 4152 Fax: (02) 6272 5877 Email: jeffd@rirdc.gov.au
3.7 Pasture Seeds
Objective: To facilitate the growth of a profitable and sustainable pasture seeds industry based on a reputation for the reliable supply, domestically and internationally, of a range of pasture species. Expenditure in 1998/99: $311,520
Strategies
This sub-program has its own five-year R&D plan, which is accessible in hardcopy and on the Internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/pastures.html
- Develop export and import replacement opportunities for Australian pasture seed growers.
- Improve the technical and economic information available to suppliers and users of pasture seed.
- Improve the overall productivity and returns from producing and marketing quality Australian pasture seeds.
- Address environmental issues impacting on all facets of the pasture seeds industry.
- Improve communications within all sectors of the pasture seeds industry.
- Develop systems that support industry quality assurance and self-regulation.
Background
Australia, with its diversity of climate and growing conditions, is able to produce pasture seeds ranging from temperate to subtropical species for domestic use and for export markets. The export value of pasture seeds exceeds $30 million.
Lucerne and clover are the major leviable seed crop. Total production of leviable temperate legume seed currently exceeds 10,000 tonnes. Perennial grasses (phalaris cocksfoot, tall fescue and ryegrass) are grown for seed in all States with Victoria having the greatest production. Perennial grass seed production is not levied for R&D and thus research projects on perennial grass seeds is dependent on progress being made for the introduction of these levies.
The main subtropical grasses grown for seed in north-eastern New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory are Rhodes grass, Setaria, panicum, carpet grass and paspalum.
While none of the tropical and subtropical pasture species are currently levied, the industry has indicated its support for a levy on these seeds, and industry and RIRDC will pursue this further in 1999. A levy base would provide the scope for an expansion of the research program to include subtropical species.
Achievements in 1998/99
- Bacterial wilt test:
Development of a bacterial wilt test for lucerne seed to ensure that long term export markets are accessible.- New varieties:
Release of several new fodder legume varieties that have enhanced seed export opportunities.- Yellows disease identification:
Completion of a survey, which has identified the occurrence and severity of lucerne yellows disease.
PASTURE SEEDS SUB-ACCOUNT ACTUAL 1997/1998($) 1998/1999 ($) Opening Balance Total Revenues Total Expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) Closing Balance Publications
98/96 Pasture seeds: research in progress Research Manager: Dr Jeff Davis
Phone: (02) 6272 4152 Fax: (02) 6272 5877 Email: jeffd@rirdc.gov.au
