2002 ANNUAL REPORT - Back to Contents Page

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Program 3 - continued
3.4 Rice

Objective: To improve the profitability and sustainability of the Australian rice industry.
Expenditure in 2001–02: $3,231,571

Some Key Performance Indicators

Compared with 2000–01: $2,830,376

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 1.7 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.

As well as the research projects outlined in this plan the RIRDC Rice R&D Program is also a major partner in the CRC for Sustainable Rice Production, providing $0.5 million per year for seven years. This CRC has an extensive research program which covers: sustainability of natural resources in rice-based cropping systems; sustainable production systems; genetic improvement for sustainable production; product and process development; and education, skills development and technology transfer. Details of progress with the CRC research programs are reported in detail in the CRC’s Annual Report. The RIRDC program has been adapted to complement and collaborate with the CRC program.

Strategies

  • 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.
    •  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.html

    Key outputs in 2001–02

  • Released the second stage of a new guide to quality rice production in southeastern Australia.
  • One new rice variety has been released and two others are well advanced to the near release stage.
  • Several new genetic markers have been developed and passed on for use in the quality evaluation program to streamline selection for several quality attributes.
  • Released significant results on rice nutrition including update of maNage rice, which provides guides to improved fertiliser use by growers.
  • Provided important information regarding the effectiveness of several new herbicides and how they can be more effectively included in an integrated weed management program for the industry.
  • An extensive review of the rice extension system was commissioned during the year. This has lead to development of several new initiatives in this area, for example, the trailling of an electronic Rice Bulletin sent every two weeks to all rice growers. This complements the usual extensive extension activities, which involve release of the annual RiceCheck production guidelines and organisation of hundreds of grower meetings at five critical stages of the production cycle.
  • Support for a range of human capital development activities for both research and grower groups.
    •  Research Manager: Dr Jeff Davis
    Phone:  02  6272 4152 
    Fax: 02  6272 5877 
    Email: jeff.davis@rirdc.gov.au
    RICE SUB-ACCOUNT
    ACTUAL
    2000–01($)
    2001–02 ($)
    Opening Balance
    1,951,642
    2,039,832
    Total Revenues
    3,041,495
    3,751,725
    Total Expenditure
    2,953,305
    3,381,268
    Surplus/(Deficit)
    88,190
    370,457
    Closing Balance
    2,039,832
    2,410,289

    Publications in 2001–02
    02/009 Building Capacity for Change in the Rice Industry
    01/175 Rice Cultivars and Endophytic Bacteria - More Effective Nitrogen-Fixing Associations
    01/76 Rice Research in Progress 2001


    3.5 Horses

    Objective: Assist in developing the Australian horse industry and enhancing its export potential.

    Some Key Performance Indicators

    Expenditure in 2001–02: $570,165
    Compared with 2000–01: $653,985

    Background

    The horse industry is one of Australia’s biggest industries and is worth more than $8 billion a year. There are about 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 national 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 in equine R&D projects of partnership funds from industry and government.

    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, Hawkesbury, Mr Gerry Harvey, Magic Millions, International Racehorse Transport and Ms Barb Vial. 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 Horse Industry Plan is reviewed annually by the key stakeholders. A major review to formulate the new fice year plan was undertaken in November 2000 involving all sectors of the horse industry and researchers. This review led to the collaborative development of the new Five Year R&D Plan, 2000–06, for the horse industry.

    Strategies

  • Disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment
  • Industry development, environment and welfare
    •  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

    Key outputs in 2001–02

  • Major international seminar for the horse industry on latest research findings and participation in major horse industry exhibition
  • Publication of an industry-wide study on the economic significance of the horse industry
  • Launch of a state-of-the-art book on laminitis in horses
  • Handbook for racecourse managers to provide consolidated information on racetrack maintenance
  • Information to enable safer and more effective feeding of grain in horses
  • Workshop for researchers and racetrack managers to examine R&D needs for improving working surfaces for horses
  • Awards to postgraduate students for outstanding research to assist the horse industry
  • Continued quarterly production of an equine R&D newsletter and further development of a unique web site.
    •  Publications in 2001–02
    02/026 R&D Plan for the Equine Industry Program 2002-2006
    01/148 Safe and Effective Grain Feeding for Horses
    02/002 Racetrack Management: A Manual for Racecourse Managers
    01/129 Equine Laminitis 
    HORSES SUB-ACCOUNT
    ACTUAL
    2000–01($)
    2001–02 ($)
    Opening Balance
    113,652
    179,772
    Total Revenues
    817,237
    663,488
    Total Expenditure
    751,117
    723,598
    Surplus/(Deficit)
    66,120
    (60,110)
    Closing Balance
    179,772
    119,662

    Research Manager: Dr John Freestone
    Phone:  02 6576 4200
    Fax: 02 6576 4020
    Email: john.freestone@rirdc.gov.au


    3.6 Fodder Crops

    Objective: To facilitate the development of a sustainable and profitable Australian fodder industry.

    Some Key Performance Indicators

    Expenditure in 2001–02: $257,739
    Compared with 2000–01: $239,128

    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 5 and 6 million tonnes of hay and around 2 million tonnes of silage per year. This production is traded as a wide range of fodder including lucerne, clover, pasture, cereal and others. The gross value of production at the farm gate is estimated to be about $900 million a year, which represents a 50% increase over the past 10 years. About 25-30% of fodder production is traded off-farm and this share has increased substantially during the last few years.

    Fodder production is concentrated in Victoria and New South Wales, although Western Australian and South Australia are the major exporting states. The largest domestic market users are the dairy industry (40%), horse industry (25%) feedlot industry (20%) and others (15%). In recent times there has been a growing trend for the dairy industry to rely more on off-farm purchases with recent estimates suggesting that more than 55% of fodder is purchased off-farm.

    The animal feeds industry in East Asia is estimated to be valued at US$10 billion, and it is perceived that a large untapped demand will enable the industry to develop many new opportunities. The fodder industry has been taking advantage of this market with exports increasing significantly in recent years to around 500,000 tonnes. The largest market is currently cereal hay into Japan but other markets such as Korea and the Middle East are growing.

    Several years ago, the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) developed a case for the introduction of a statutory R&D levy to support a longer-term basis for an R&D program for fodder. This case was submitted to the Government but was not supported at that time. However, AFIA is about to revisit this issue with the Government. In late 2000 a small sub-set of the industry – the cereal hay exporters – introduced a voluntary R&D levy on export cereal hay to demonstrate that the industry is strongly committed to an R&D program. The levy collections in the first year (2001–02) have been very encouraging with the industry contributing around $175,000. This is a very positive sign. It will see a doubling in the size of the program in 2002–03. However, this is still well below the R&D program for industries of a similar size.

    Strategies

  • 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.
    •  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.htm

    Key outputs in 2001–02

  • Development of the commercialisation process for and release of three new oaten hay varieties.
  • First stages of commercialisation of a new microbial inoculant for hay preservation.
  • Identification of early indicators of the factors critical to hay palatability.
  • Continue production of an R&D Newsletter for distribution to industry.
    •  Publications in 2001–02
    01/078 Fodder Crops Research in Progress 2001

     
    FODDER CROPS SUB-ACCOUNT
    ACTUAL
    2000–01($)
    2001–02 ($)
    Opening Balance
    –
    –
    Total Revenues
    –
    534,210
    Total Expenditure
    –
    292,211
    Surplus/(Deficit)
    –
    241,999
    Closing Balance
    –
    241,999

    Research Manager: Dr Jeff Davis
    Phone:  02  6272 4152 
    Fax: 02  6272 5877 
    Email: jeff.davis@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.

    Some Key Performance Indicators

    Expenditure in 2001–02: $295,365
    Compared with 2000–01: $338,398

    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 projects on perennial grass seeds are dependent on progress being made toward 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 continue to pursue this further in 2002. A levy base would provide the scope for an expansion of the research program to include subtropical species.

    Strategies

  • 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.

    •       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

    Key outputs in 2001–02

  • Improved weed control technologies for a range of new temperate legumes.
  • Identification of management strategies to improve lucerne seed yield and productivity.
  • Management strategies to effectively control lucerne seed wasps. A pocket size grower brochure was developed to more effectively promote these strategies.
  • publication and distribution of a set of best practice production guidelines for sub-clover seed production.
  • Continuation of regional grower meetings and an R&D Newsletter.
  • Held several project-focused seed production field days.
    •
    PASTURE SEEDS SUB-ACCOUNT
    ACTUAL
    2000–01($)
    2001–02 ($)
    Opening Balance
    262,706
    385,696
    Total Revenues
    479,085
    298,577
    Total Expenditure
    356,095
    323,883
    Surplus/(Deficit)
    122,990
    (25,306)
    Closing Balance
    385,696
    360,390

    Publications in 2001–02
    01/136 Evaluating and Managing Lucerne Seed Wasp
    01/155 Improved Sub-Clover Seed Production
    01/135 Living with the Enemy 
    01/132 A Model for the Expansion of the Australian Domestic Pasture Seed Market
    01/79 Pasture Seeds Research in Progress 2001

    Research Manager: Dr Jeff Davis
    Phone:  02  6272 4152 
    Fax: 02  6272 5877 
    Email: jeff.davis@rirdc.gov.au

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    Last updated: October 2002
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