2003 ANNUAL REPORT - Back to Contents Page

Our Operations - back to menu

Prospective New Industries

New Plant Products

• increase productivity and processing efficiency
• ensure safe food production and develop new products
• increase market access and export volume
• facilitate industry development on a sustainable basis
• increase information transfer
 

New Animal Products

 

Investment priorities
Objective:   To investigate and  develop prospects for new industries in rural and regional Australia.
Expenditure in 2002–03:  $2,286,344 Compared with 2001–02:  $2,390,628
 

1.1 New Plant Products

Objective:  To facilitate the development of new industries based on plants or plant products that have commercial potential for Australia.

Expenditure in 2002–03:  $1,219,989
Compared with 2001–02:  $1,395,989

Background
RIRDC supports a diverse program of R&D within its charter of encouraging and assisting prospective industries that show evidence of being commercially viable. Industries are also supported so that they may contribute to regional development and to the national economy as a whole. “New industries” are defined as those which appear to have commercial potential but are too novel for support through the work of other R&D bodies or do not attract levies or voluntary contributions at this stage.

The program has six components:
• 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

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. New crops increase the potential diversification of farming businesses as a risk hedge.

Key long term strategies
• conduct preliminary market studies involving the whole value chain of new crops
• assist researchers with new concepts to “market test” proposals to assess if there is a potential value chain prior to undertaking major R&D on a crop
• estimate the commercial viability of proposals as a key part of project assessments
• develop, in conjunction with participants in the value chain - production, harvesting, processing and marketing systems for products
• foster the development of policy, infrastructure and R&D plans to underpin new crop products
• work to ensure, where appropriate, as industries develop to a certain scale they move into the levy-paying or voluntary contribution processes of both the Grains R&D Corporation and HAL

Key outputs in 2002–03
• reviewed the novel oilseed, culinary herbs, cocoa, coffee and tropical fruit R&D programs
• supported a successful national conference for the Australian olive industry
• supported a national magazine for the Australian olive industry
• established new lines of durian germplasm which are appropriate for Australian orchards
• achieved feasibility for a new crop based on both the roots and tops of boab tubers
• established the potential for new innovative products from native foods
• released the R&D plan for the coffee industry and facilitated an industry launch of this plan

Some key performanceindicators
• achievement of increased regional economic activity and improved rural risk management through crop diversifcation
• establishment of markets for new agricultural products in Australia and overseas
• acknowledgement by industry partners that research is market based
• effective strategic planning and prioritisation by industry bodies for development of research programs

This sub-program has separate five-year plans on native foods, culinary herbs, longan, coffee and olives, which are accessible on the internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pubstrategic plans for durian, rambutan and mangosteen are also available in hard copy.

Research Manager: Mr Max Bourke
Phone:  02  6247 4630
Fax: 02  6247 4051
Email: mbourke@ruralfunds.com.au

Publications in 2002–03
03/054 NOVA – the national olive variety assessment project
03/021 Olive variety assessment for subtropical summer rainfall regions
03/045 New high quality oil seed crops for temperate and tropical Australia
03/056 Coffee industry 5 year plan 2003-2008
03/013 Researchers’ extension program  for the native foods industry
02/165 Acacia saligna as a fodder source for ruminants
02/147 Coriander - overcoming production limitations
02/136 Rambutan: improving yield and quality
02/135 Longan: improving yield and quality
02/119 R&D plan for the Australian olive industry 2003-2008
02/109 Innovative products from Australian native foods
02/060 New plant products research in progress and completed projects for 2001/2002
02/096 Increasing the export potential-opportunities for Australian garlic
02/102 Nutritional requirements of coffee trees in northern New South Wales
02/106 Nutrition and irrigation management of rambutan for maximisation of yield and quality
02/091 Durian germplasm evaluation for tropical Australia -phase 1

---

1.2 New Animal Products
Objective:  To accelerate the development of viable new animal industries.

Expenditure in 2002–03:  $1,066,356
Compared with 2001–02:  $994,639

Background
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 2001–2002 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 2001–2002.

Key long term strategies
• assist industry and enterprise development by the corporation’s participation at national industry meetings and facilitating integration activities across various prospective animal industries
• disseminate outputs via industry newsletters, publication of final reports, media releases and electronic communication
• fund production, processing, transport, storage and marketing of R&D on animal products
• strengthen development within and across industries by supporting creativity, innovation, commercialisation and integration along the value-added chain
• facilitate export market access and development
• assist in the development of business plans for some potential innovative animal industries
• stimulate co-funding of R&D from industry, enterprises and public sector interests

Key outputs in 2002–03
• published breeding plans based on performance recording which formed the basis of workshops with the dairy goat and milking sheep industries
• published benchmarking research on crocodile, squab and yabby industries which range in size and structure but can make significant contributions to household income
• reported on leather strength of  kangaroo skins resulting from different species, time of harvest, initial preservation methods and duration of storage
• published a report on the marketing of emu, ostrich, crocodile, camel and goat skins outlining market development directions and future research
• developed a breeding program for farmed meat rabbits using advanced genetic technologies with a strong emphasis on improving traits related to enterprise profitability
• researched export opportunities for the Australian game bird industry through market studies in Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong
• exhibited Australian game bird products at a trade show in Singapore resulting in increasing exports for that market
• integrated earthworm meal into the diet of marron, replacing fish meat as a source of high protein
• published manuals on specifications and trading language for the kangaroo and buffalo industries some keyperformanceindicators
• growth of new and viable animal industries for food and other products
• extent to which new industry research outputs are utilised and adopted to meet productivity and sustainability requirements
• identification and assessment of potential new industries
• development of workshops, through – chain networks and international linkages

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/ewanimals3yr.htm

Publications in 2002–03
03/057 Dairy goat farming practices
03/014 Angora rabbits – a potential new industry for Australia
02/150 Improved breeding in dairy goats and milking sheep
03/036 Buffalo, camel, crocodile, emu, kangaroo, ostrich and rabbit – value added products
02/166 The kangaroo industry – its image and market
03/023 Distribution of meat products from prospective Australian animal industries
02/144 Farmed rabbits in Australia
02/142 Markets for skins and leather from goat, emu, ostrich, crocodile and camel Industries
02/143 Marketable products from sheep milk
02/145 Kangaroo pet meat
02/113 Benchmarks for new animal products: crocodile, squab and yabby
02/105 Enhancing the unique properties of kangaroo leather
02/061 New animal products research in progress and completed projects for 2001/2002

Research Manager: Dr Peter McInnes
Phone:  08  8556 7331
Fax: 08  8556 7289
Email: mcinnes2@comstech.com
 

BUFFALO SUB-ACCOUNT
ACTUAL	2001–02 ($)	2002–03 ($)
Opening Balance	69,734	78,736
Total Revenues	43,776	52,777
Total Expenditure	34,774	48,408
Surplus/(Deficit)	9,002	4,369
Closing Balance	78,736	83,105

KANGAROO SUB-ACCOUNT
ACTUAL	2001–02 ($)	2002–03 ($)
Opening Balance	5,758	58,329
Total Revenues	78,471	91,345
Total Expenditure	25,900	48,966
Surplus/(Deficit)	52,571	42,379
Closing Balance	58,329	100,708

Site map Contact us Feedback Links Disclaimer Privacy Statement