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Program 1Objective: To facilitate the development of new industries based on plants or plant products that have commercial potential for Australia.
Expenditure in 2001–02: $1,395,989
Compared with 2000–01: $1,442,733Background
RIRDC supports a diverse program of R&D within its charter of encouraging and assisting prospective industries. Existing small industries are also supported so that they may contribute to regional development and to the national economy as a whole. The research and development needs of these smaller industries are just as demanding as those of the larger established industries, particularly in the feasibility stage.
The program has six components:
The program provides a means of supporting commercially viable but intrinsically small rural industries. Testing new crops and their potential in the value chain as well as re-examining older plant species for current needs are seen as essential business by the Corporation. Native plant crops Culinary herbs, spices and beverages Extractive and fibre crops Prospective fruit, vegetable and nut crops Prospective grain and pulse crops Miscellaneous crops and activities Strategies
This Sub-Program has separate Five-Year Plans on Native Foods, Culinary Herbs, Longan and Olives, which are accessible on the Internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/publications.html#newplans Preliminary market studies involving the whole value chain of new crops. The aim will be to make new crop proposals demand-pull driven rather than supply-push driven. Identify, evaluate, test-market and develop species, varieties, processes or products with prospects of commercial viability. In conjunction with participants in the value chain, develop production, harvesting, processing and marketing systems for products. Foster the development of policy, infrastructure and R&D plans to underpin new crop products. Linking the efforts of this program with other RIRDC programs to ensure that potential new developments in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and industrial plant crops are optimised.
Strategic Plans for Durian, Rambutan and Mangosteen are also available in hard copy.
Key outputs in 2001–02
Publications in 2001–02 Work on innovative products from indigenous Australian native foods was completed at the University of NSW. A Native Food R&D Plan for 2002–2007 was completed and published with broad support in the industry. The economics and agronomic requirements for the production of food gums from Senna spp was published. Workshops on quality protocols and guidelines for the production of table olives in Australia commenced. The lychee industry program was moved to Horticulture Australia as it now has raised a substantial levy base for R&D. The final project on cashew nutrition and management was completed and published thus providing a strong basis for future producers of this crop. Durian germplasm evaluation trials and an industry strategic plan for this fruit were completed and published. The Australian New Crops Newsletter became an on-line publication. The Native Food and Plants website commenced operation. Published more than ten final reports.
02/020 The Prospect of Commercialising Boab Roots as a Vegetable 01/178 Canary Seed Industry Development for South Eastern Australia 01/180 Pruning to Meet your Lychee Goals 01/177 Assessment and Selection of New Cashew Hybrids 01/163 The Impact and Control of Lychee Pepper Spot in Australia 01/167 Culinary Herbs – A Market Assessment 01/172 Integrated Pest Management for Quandong Moth 01/140 Buckwheat – A Demand-Supply Analysis 01/122 Factors Affecting Seed Quality of Azuki and Kintoki Beans 01/131 Senna tora Gum - Viability of Production in Australia 01/63 New Plants Products Research in Progress 2001 01/088 R&D Plan for the Native Food Industry Research Manager: Mr Max Bourke
Phone: 02 6247 4630 Fax: 02 6247 4051 Email: mbourke@ruralfunds.com.au
1.2 New Animal ProductsObjective: To accelerate the development of viable new animal industries.
Expenditure in 2001–02: $994,639
Compared with 2000–01: $953,863Background
There are more than 40 prospective and emerging animal-based industries for which RIRDC receives research proposals or inquiries regarding R&D funding. The annual value of livestock and products traded from these industries exceeds $200 million with approximately 50 per cent traded on export markets.
In 2001–02 the Corporation funded specific projects for more than 15 of these industries. Other individual projects covered a broad spectrum of species and their products such as skin, milk and meat. Projects are increasingly covering R&D across the value-added chain. For the very small industries, initially R&D is directed as necessary to feasibility studies and/or the development of a business plan.
Funding continues on the commercialisation of native and feral animal products where enhancement of the environment and biodiversity are not threatened. Specific projects are in progress for the kangaroo, emu and crocodile industries. Other projects continue in gamebirds, rabbit, ostrich, dairy goats. A new project on silk production received additional funding in 2001–02
Strategies
This Sub-Program has its own three year R&D plan which is accessible in hardcopy and on the Internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/newanimals3yr.htm Support preliminary market and technical feasibility studies. Identify, evaluate, test-market and develop species, varieties, processes or products with prospects of commercial viability. Develop integrated production, harvesting, processing and marketing systems. Foster the development of policy, infrastructure and R&D plans and initiatives to underpin industry growth. Key outputs in 2001–02
Benchmark research publications on alpaca, buffalo, and rabbit production, and duck processing. Productivity is shown to be determined by enterprise size, labour efficiency and adoption of innovation. Reports on farmed crocodile nutrition, husbandry, housing, effluent management, diseases, genetics, animal capture, economic and extension methods. In Queensland the spreadsheet decision tool CrocProfit has been improved. The industry newsletter Crocodile Capers was published twice. Reported dairy goat product marketing opportunities: for powdered products for Korea, Japan and Taiwan; and for UHT goat milk in Singapore and Malaysia . Research shows cattle and camels can co-graze on marginal land in Central Australia. There is some dietary overlap, and with expanded co-grazing the plant species preferred by both may be an indicator of pasture condition. Focus farms and farm surveys for dairy goats identify effective management practices and industry benchmarks, published as a technical manual, Dairy Goat Notes. Report on the management and nutrition of Awassi, a milking sheep breed. Preliminary market research indicates some domestic and export demand for sheepmilk powder. Chemical analyses of emu egg shell show that therapeutic use would require the processing of large quantities of shell, and the strontium levels could limit its nutritional use. An ‘R&D Plan for Animal Products 2002-2005’, prepared with the various industries and researchers, was approved by the RIRDC board.=
BUFFALO SUB-ACCOUNT ACTUAL 2000–01 ($) 2001–02 ($) Opening Balance Total Revenues Total Expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) Closing Balance
KANGAROO SUB-ACCOUNT BUDGETED 2000–01($) 2001–02 ($) Opening Balance Total Revenues Total Expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) Closing Balance Publications in 2001–02
02/025 Dairy Goat Manual 02/038 Shelf Life and Microbiological Safety of Selected New and Emerging Meats Destined for Export Markets 01/123 Improved Nutrition and Management of Farmed Crocodiles 01/103 R&D Plan for New Animal Products 01/113 Benchmarks for New Animal Products: Alpaca, Buffalo, Rabbit Production and Duck Processing 01/064 New Animal Products Research in Progress 2001 01/089 Adding Value to Emu Co-Products 01/092 Co-Grazing Cattle and Camels Research Manager: Dr Peter McInnes
Phone: 08 8556 7331 Fax: 08 8556 7289 Email: mcinnes2@comstech.com
 
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Last updated: October 2002
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