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Summary of Operations - back to menuProgram 3
Established Industries (continued)Objective: To improve the profitability and sustainability of the Australian rice industry.
Expenditure in 1999/2000: $2,900,012
Some Key Performance Indicators
R&D Plan for the Rice Industry Program 1996 – 2001. Adopted by Board Resolution No. 30-1995-15Rate of release of new varieties. More uniform crop establishment. Use of rice growth model in grower decision support systems. Level of grower adoption of nutritional management strategies. Level of pest, weed, and disease in commercial rice crops. Rice water use performance. Adoption rate of new technology and changes in farmer practices. Degree of achievement of industry receival requirements. Customer satisfaction and stable long-term trading relationships. Background
The Australian rice industry is primarily based in the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys of southern New South Wales, where some 2500 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 9.2 tonnes per hectare. The industry has a farmgate gross value of production of around $300 million and earns more than $500 million in exports (mostly of value-added rice in small branded packs) to more than fifty destinations.
Strategies
This sub-program has its own five-year R&D plan, which is accessible in hardcopy and on the Internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/ricr&d.htmlProvide varieties that result in increased efficiency at the farm level, meet customer requirements and maintain pure seed quality. Improve crop establishment, agronomy/ physiology, nutrition and protection from weeds and diseases. Improve the sustainability of the rice farming system. Develop world best practice technologies for harvesting, handling, milling and processing rice. Foster and achieve innovation, both on and off farm. Key outputs in 1999/2000
Research Manager: Dr Jeff DavisFinalisation of several current stages of significant rice quality assessment activities and assessment of future stages. Release of the first parts of a new guide to quality rice production in south eastern Australia. Several new varieties advanced to testing for future release. Finalisation of the current stages of aquatic earthworm and bloodworm pests activities. An innovative ground rig-spraying mechanism, developed as a substitute for aerial spraying. Assessment of rice blast fungicide development for Australia. Annual rice R&D workshop, which updates progress for all projects and ensures input from all sectors of the industry. Production of a special rice R&D farmers’ newsletter. Updates of the Ricecheck recommendations booklet and associated Rice Notes to incorporate new R&D results and feedback from last year’s ‘crop evaluation records’ and their circulation to all growers prior to sowing. Regional pre-season technology meetings.
Phone: (02) 6272 4152 Fax: (02) 6272 5877 Email: jeffd@rirdc.gov.au
RICE SUB-ACCOUNT ACTUAL 1998/1999($) 1999/2000 ($) Opening Balance Total Revenues Total Expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) Closing Balance Publications in 1999/2000
99/32 Constraints to rice establishment and yield in the western Murray Valley 99/46 The Rice Harvesters Reference 99/110 Rice research in progress 99/141 Resistance to bloodworm attack in rice Objective: Assist in developing the Australian horse industry and enhancing its export potential.
Expenditure in 1999/2000: $683,551
Some Key Performance Indicators
R&D Plan for the Equine Industry 1996–2001. Adopted by Board Resolution No. 37-1996-5
- Information technology transfer using a variety of media.
- Advice available on causes and approaches to management of respiratory diseases that are important to the export/import activities of the horse industry.
- Database and feeding information available on horse feed ingredients.
- Information available on more scientific approaches to training and fitness in athletic horse.
- Resource available to the industry to deal with transport related problems in horses.
- Consolidated publications on training and learning in the horse industry.
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 and the Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Club. 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 1999.
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/equiRD1.htmlDecrease wastage in the industry associated with injury and disease. Examine, develop and support projects associated with identifying and preventing injuries to riders. Ensure the communication of the latest relevant research information to the horse industry via newsletters, publications and our internet website. Identify and support epidemiologically related projects. Encourage projects that involve collaborative work between discipline areas and institutions to ‘value add’ to the investment by government and the horse industry. Support exchange of information between local and overseas researchers. Develop industry-based research and development projects constructed around problems, issues and areas of interest that are critical to industry members, participants and stakeholders with the aim to further grow a research and development culture in the horse industry. This will enable building even closer links between day-to-day industry needs and the 5 year Horse Program Plan. Key outputs in 1999/2000
Publications in 1999/2000Continued support for equine research and development projects across Australia, with 20 projects currently in place, covering infectious diseases, reproduction, nutrition, athletic injuries, drug development, communication, lameness and working surfaces. 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. 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. Also maintained the electronic mail lists horsesci and aust horse. Produced the major book Feeding Horses in Australia and booklets on Respiratory Disease in Racehorses, Healthy Land – Healthy Horses, Training and Learning in the Horse Industry, Transport of Horses, Equine Pleuropneumonia (Travel Sickness), Drought Feeding of Horses and Reducing Dust in Horse Stables. Reviewed in November 1999, 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. Conducted a workshop on training and learning in the horse industry, which involved all major equine industry groups and those involved in formal training programs. Held the Fifth Annual RIRDC–Vetsearch Equine Research Awards in Melbourne, with the award for Major Industry Contribution going to Mr Keith Hyde. Awards for Equine Researcher of the Year and Equine Research Student of the Year were presented respectively to Dr Angus McKinnon of the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital and Dr Rob Christley of the University of Glasgow (formerly a PhD student at the University of Sydney).
99/57 Supporting Learning in the Horse Industry – Formal Training Programs 99/62 Lower respiratory tract disease in racehorses 99/73 Equine Pleuropneumonia (Travel Sickness) 99/97 Equine Transport 99/98 Drought feeding of horses 99/115 Horses Research In Progress 99/168 Bleeding in racehorses 00/55 Pasture and Young Horse Nutrition 00/1 Training and fitness in athletic horses 00/7 Strangles in horses 00/8 Healing in Horses - Biomechanical properties of equine digital flexor tendons 00/11 Contaminated Horsemeat – Assessment and Prevention of toxicity from Indospicine 00/18 Immunity in Foals 00/23 Supporting Learning in the Horse Industry – Are we Meeting Industry Needs? 00/26 Supporting Learning in the Horse Industry – The Industry Speaks 00/28 Nutrition of Grazing Broodmares, Their Foals and Young Horses HORSES SUB-ACCOUNT ACTUAL 1998/1999($) 1999/2000 ($) Opening Balance Total Revenues Total Expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) Closing Balance Research Manager: Prof. Reuben Rose
Phone: (02) 9351 6935 Fax: (02) 9660 1548 Email: rjrose@camden.usyd.edu.au
3.6 Fodder CropsObjective: To facilitate the development of a sustainable and profitable Australian fodder industry.
Expenditure in 1999/2000: $174,677
Some Key Performance Indicators
R&D Plan for the Fodder Industry Program. 1998–2002. Adopted by Board Resolution No. 41-1997-3Identify key market opportunities. Rate of release of new fodder varieties. Rate of adoption of practices for nutrient, pest and disease management. Development and implementation of improved quality standards by the industry. Improved industry communications. 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 between four and six 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 at $870 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, about 35 per cent of the domestic market.
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 7,459 tonnes of lucerne hay, 6,085 tonnes of lucerne meal and pellets, and 317,345 tonnes of other hay and chaff in 1998/1999 worth approximately $80 million. The growth in the dairy, feedlot and livestock industries is providing opportunities for industry growth in the future.
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/fodder5yr.htmImprove 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. Key outputs in 1999/2000
Publications in 1999/2000Released new fodder varieties suitable for southern Australia. A fodder industry production atlas that has provided a better picture of the structure of the industry. Production of research reports and presentation of R&D results in industry Newsletter and at the industry’s annual conference.
99/114 Research in Progress – Fodder CropsResearch Manager: Dr Jeff Davis
Phone: (02) 6272 4152 Fax: (02) 6272 5877 Email: jeffd@rirdc.gov.au
3.7 Pasture SeedsObjective: 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 1999/2000: $257,705
Some Key Performance Indicators
R&D Plan for the Pasture Seed Industry Program 1996–2001. Adopted by Board Resolution No. 30-1995-15Improved domestic and export seed sales. Improved information flows to industry. Improved range of species for specific environments. Improved management strategies to improve the environmental aspects of seed production. Implementation of quality assurance systems for industry. 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 crops. 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 on perennial grass seeds are 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 2000. A levy base would provide the scope for an expansion of the research program to include subtropical species.
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.htmlDevelop 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. Support and assist seed growers as they meet the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. Key outputs in 1999/2000
Incorporation of a bacterial wilt test for lucerne seed developed in Australia into international testing protocols. Release of several new fodder varieties that enhance seed export opportunities. A report on the production cost structure for the temperate pasture seeds industry. Finalisation of guides to the production and harvesting of seed from Vigna parkeri.
PASTURE SEEDS SUB-ACCOUNT ACTUAL 1998/1999($) 1999/2000 ($) Opening Balance Total Revenues Total Expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) Closing Balance Publications in 1999/2000
99/103 Pasture seeds research in progress Research Manager: Dr Jeff Davis
Phone: (02) 6272 4152 Fax: (02) 6272 5877 Email: jeffd@rirdc.gov.au
 
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Last updated: 9 October
2000
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