2006-07 ANNUAL REPORT
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Operational Report - 2

Rice

Research Manager
Ms Margie Thomson
Ph:  02 6271 4130
margie.thomson@rirdc.gov.au

Objective:
To improve the profitability and sustainability of the Australian rice industry.

Strategic plan
This Program has its own five-year R&D Plan, accessible in hard copy and at www.rirdc. gov.au/programs/rice.html

Source of funds
This program is funded by statutory levies paid by industry participants. This levy revenue is matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the Commonwealth up to 0.5 percent of the gross value of farm production.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $2,377,734
2005–06: $1,888,551

Key performance indicators

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 an average of around 1.2 million tonnes of rice annually. It is one of the most productive and efficient rice industries in the world, with yields expected to average around 10 tonnes per hectare in 2006-07.

The industry has a farmgate gross value of production of around $50 million and a total value (export earnings, value added) of more than $800 million. It exports to more than 0 destinations. Including flow-on effects, it has been estimated that the industry generates in excess of $ billion annually to regional communities and the Australian economy.

From 200 from 2005 rice growers experienced one of the worst droughts on record. This has substantially reduced levy revenues and has resulted in a substantial draw down in program reserves. This is despite a generous financial contribution from Sunrice Pty Ltd being provided in 2005-06. To ensure the RIRDC Rice R&D program can continue to deliver key outcomes that will improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the rice industry growers elected to increase the levy on 1 January 2006 from $1.97 to $2.97 per tonne for a period of three years to allow the program to refocus on all of the key objectives of the program. (Refer to the 2006-11 Rice R&D plan for further information.)

Key outputs in 2006-07

Key outcomes in 2006-07 Collaboration Publications in 2006-fs07
06/071  2006 Research in Progress—Rice 
07/02  Assessment of Pesticide Impacts on the Biological Health of the Rice Ecosystem 
07/0  Biotechnology to Improve Rice Breeding Techniques 
06/009  Development of a Passive Sampler Device for Polar Pesticides 
06/09  Improved Rice Seed Storage and Segregation for Advanced Breeding Lines 
06/12  New Markers for Australian Rice Improvement 
06/088  Rice R&D Plan 2006-2011 
06/057  Riverina Agricultural Women: Inspiration for women, by women 
07/0  Sustainable management of Invertebrate Rice Pests 
06/095  Transactivation Lines in Rice: Evaluation of insertional mutants and development of effective 
transactivator platform for FTO and coordinate gene expression 
06/12  Using Near Infrared Technologies to Enhance Precision Management of Rice Crops 

Using raised beds on rice farms - innovative rice-based cropping systems
The price of irrigation water is increasing and the amount of water available for irrigation each year is becoming less certain.

The Australian rice industry has a long record of working to improve water productivity both for the rice crop and for other crops grown as part of the rice based farming system. However, not all crops can tolerate the waterlogged soil conditions associated with rice based farming systems or can be grown in rotation with rice using conventional rice layouts. The environmental sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the rice-growing areas of southern Australia is also threatened by salinisation as a result of rising water tables due to land clearing and the introduction of irrigation.

This project, supported by the RIRDC Rice R&D Program, found that rice could be grown on raised beds to achieve rice yields equivalent to those of conventional flat irrigation layouts and as part of a rotational cropping system.

The project has compared the performance and productivity of a number of crops in the rice based farming system, assessed resource use efficiency, yield and profitability of rice based cropping systems through improved soil, water and nutrient management using permanent beds.

The benefits of this new methodology will be:

Permanent beds will also increase the ability to establish winter crops immediately after rice, resulting in increased irrigation water use efficiency and reduced net recharge through use of stored soil water, capture of winter rain, and crop water use of upflow from the water table.

Horses

Research Manager
Prof. David Hodgson
Ph: 02 4655 0743
Fax: 02 4655 1212
Mob: 0412 419 170
david.hodgson@rirdc.gov.au

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

Strategic plan
This program has its own Five-Year R&D Plan, accessible in hardcopy and at http://www. rirdc.gov.au/programs/hor.html

Source of funds
This program is funded by voluntary industry revenue and matching RIRDC funds. The industry is seeking to put these arrangements on a statutory basis.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $834 ,815
2005–06: $578,658

Key performance indicators

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 with partnership funds from industry and government.

Since the commencement of the Program additional financial support has been received from a range of bodies. Contributors to the Program are the Australian Racing Board, Racing Victoria Limited, the Australian Stock Horse Society, the Equestrian Federation of Australia, Equine Veterinarians Australia, the Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Club, the Paint Horse Association of Australia, Mr Gerry Harvey of Magic Millions, International Racehorse Transport, Ms Barb Vial, Ms Dolly van Zaane, Logan Livestock Insurance Agency Pty Ltd, Alanbridge Stud, Coolmore Australia, Tyreel Stud, Howard Insurance Australia and Peptech Animal Health.

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 five-year plan was undertaken in February 2006 involving all sectors of the horse industry and researchers. This review led to the collaborative development of the new Five-Year R&D Plan 2007-11, for the horse industry.

Key outputs in 2006-07

Key outcomes in 2006-07 Collaboration: Publications for 2006-07
06/072 2006 Research in Progress—Horses
06/137 Environmental Management on Horse Properties
06/114 Horse Five-Year R&D Plan 2006–2011
07/090 Integrated Pest Management for the Horse Farm
06/097 Rattles in Horses

Rattles in Horses
Prototype Environmental Management System (EMS) for the horse keeping community - implementation, auditing and monitoring

Many horse-property managers are looking for more environmentally sustainable ways to look after their horses and their land.

The RIRDC Horse R&D Program is developing a practical prototype for an Environmental Management System (EMS) framework for the horse-keeping community.

An EMS is a tool that meets international standards in dealing with environmental obligations and establishing performance goals, ultimately to reduce detrimental impacts on the environment.

This EMS framework was used to engage horse owners in systematically making environmental improvements on their properties. The system has four stages:

This approach can be used as a prerequisite and a point of reference for performance-based auditing and development approval.

The project was part of a three-year program exploring the value of an environmental partnership between representatives of the South Australian horse industry and government to encourage voluntary environmental improvements on horse properties.

The project developed a self-audit kit for horse keepers which was tested in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and horse-keeping communities in different states. Its adoption and outreach strategy includes a staged set of strategic actions that lead to on-ground environmental improvements. The project successfully combines participatory development and practical management advice.


Fodder Crops

Research Manager
Ms Annette Sugden
Ph: 02 6271 4138
Fax: 02 6271 4199
annette.sugden@rirdc.gov.au

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

Strategic plan
This program has its own five-year R&D plan, accessible in hardcopy and at http://www. rirdc.gov.au/programs/fca.html

Source of funds
The program is funded through a mixture of RIRDC core funds, a voluntary levy on both domestic hay and exports of cereal hays and some contributions from other RDCs to co-funded projects.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $523,281
2005–06: $545,923

Key performance indicators

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 6,000 properties across all states producing between 5 and 7 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 1. billion a year, which represents a 50% increase over the past 10 years. About 30-35% of fodder production is traded off-farm and this share has increased substantially during the past 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 (0%), horse industry (25%), feedlot industry (20%).

The animal feeds industry in East Asia is estimated to be valued at US$10 billion. 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 three quarters of a million tonnes. Australia's position as a hay supply free of Foot and Mouth Disease has helped maintain markets. 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 Australian Government but was not supported at that time. More recent approaches to government have also not met with further developments. AFIA is continuing to investigate options and discuss these with government.

In the interim the industry introduced a voluntary R&D levy to enhance the program. This voluntary levy was first introduced on export oaten hay in 2000-01 but has now been expanded to cover domestic and export hay. Early contributions were just under $200,000 and while the drought caused a reduced contribution it is expected that this will grow in coming years to between $200,000 and $00,000. RIRDC continues to provide core funds to match this levy as an interim measure.

Key outcomes in 2006-07

Collaboration Key outputs in 2006-07 Publications in 2006-07
06/073 2006 Research in Progress—Fodder Crops
07/054 Development of Improved Oat Varieties for Hay Production National Program
– Export Cereal Hey R&D Newsletter, Issue 6, November 2006
– Fodder Crops Newsletter, Issue 5, August 2006
06/002 Producing Quality Oat Hay
06/120 Review of Disease for Hay: Current and Future Management

Pasture Seeds

Research Manager
Ms Annette Sugden
Ph: 02 6271 4138
Fax: 02 6271 4199
annette.sugden@rirdc.gov.au

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.

Strategic plan
This program has its own five-year R&D plan, accessible in hardcopy and at http://www. rirdc.gov.au/programs/ps.html

Source of funds
This program is funded by statutory levies paid by industry participants. This levy revenue is matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the Commonwealth up to 0.5 percent of the gross value of farm production.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $310,080
2005–06: $323,762

Hugh Roberts Pasture Seeds R&D Travel Award
To recognise the significant contribution Hugh Roberts, previous Chair of the R&D Advisory Committee, made to the establishment of the program, the Committee has established this special travel award. Application forms are available from the Research Manager.

Key performance indicators

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. Research and development is funded through levies collected on certified seed crops. Certified lucerne, sub-clover and clover seeds are the major leviable seed crops; however, levies are also collected on medics and serradella. In 2004–05 Australia produced around 15,000 tonnes of certified seed (around 2.6% of all OECD seed produced) Total production of leviable temperate legume seed currently exceeds 10,000 tonnes.

The export value of certified pasture seeds has a growth rate of approximately 17%, steadily climbing from $50.3 million in 2001–02 to $60.5 million in 2005–06. The United States is the largest importer of Australian pasture seeds, namely lucerne. The export of lucerne seed was worth $16.4 million to the Australian economy in 2005–06 and worth around 30% of the Australian pasture seeds export market. There are expanding export markets in China, Argentina, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Korea and Germany. The majority of exports to these areas were clover and lucerne seeds, providing $12.5 million and $29 million respectively to the export market. Lucerne and clover seed exports to the world in 2005–06 were valued at $60.5 million. In 2005–06 Australia imported 7,000 tonnes of pasture seeds valued at $16.5 million.

During the past five years, imports have trended upward yet values imported have generally remained constant. Major varieties imported have been rye grass, fescue and clover seed, the majority of these coming from New Zealand and the United States. Future growth of the industry is dependent upon maintaining high quality certified seeds identifying new markets and targeting cropping to market needs. 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 yet levied for R&D.

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 in principle support for a levy on these seeds. A levy base for perennial grasses and subtropical grasses would provide the scope for an expansion of the research program and progression towards a more holistic approach to pasture seed research will be dependent upon inclusion of these seed types in the levy structures.

Key outputs in 2006-07

Key outcomes in 2006-07 Collaboration Publications in 2006-07

The Hugh Roberts Travel Award —supporting understanding of pasture seed industry issues
Three travel awards were given to members of the Pasture Seeds industry to increase understanding of pasture seed issues, particularly temperate legumes, and their application to the industry.

Recipient Shane Oster is currently an independent agricultural consultant, specialising in the production of lucerne seed and assisting around 50 producers in the Keith region of South Australia. He is also an active committee member of the Australian Leafcutter Association (ALCA) based in Keith, an Executive Member of Lucerne Australia and an active member of the Association's Phytosanitary Committee.

With this award, Shane travelled to the USA and Canada in April 2007. This travel allowed Shane to investigate commercial lucerne seed pollination using leafcutter bees. Various facets and in-field management techniques were explored such as chemical management, domicile placing and design, stocking rates, extraction equipment, storage options and crop entry timing. By travelling to the USA, Shane has been able to fill the knowledge gaps which exist in the management of leafcutter bee and this will assist the industry to develop a more strategic approach to development of a more sustainable and profitable pasture seed industry.

Karen Hill, Laboratory Manager and a practicing Senior Seed Analyst from the Queensland Seed Technology Laboratory, and Maria Castle of the Seeds Laboratory Agriquality Australia Pty Ltd were given this award to attend the 28th International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Congress in Brazil in May 2007. This included training and education workshops for seed analysts, the ISTA Technical Committee meeting, a seed symposium focused on current research, and the ISTA general meeting. Their attendance at this Congress has created opportunities to advance the standard of seed testing available to the Australian Pasture Seed industry.


Deer

Research Manager
Dr Laurence Denholm
Ph: 02 6365 5482
Fax: 02 6365 5560
denholml@bigpond.com

Objective
To foster an Australian deer industry as a profitable and efficient mainstream agricultural enterprise.

Strategic plan
This program has its own five-year R&D plan, accessible in hardcopy and at http://www. rirdc.gov.au/programs/deer.html

Source of funds
This program is funded by statutory levies paid by industry participants. This levy revenue is matched on a dollar for dollar basis by the Commonwealth up to 0.5 per cent of the gross value of farm production.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $269,964
2005–06: $152,674

Key performance indicators

Background
The Australian deer industry is based primarily on breeding temperate deer species (fallow, red deer and elk) for production of venison, velvet antler and venison co-products. The industry has a strong export focus with about 80% of product sold into Asian and European markets.

Production is concentrated in the south-eastern states with some breeding of temperate species in other states and some tropical species (rusa and chital deer) in Queensland. The estimated GVP of the industry for 2006-07 is $2.58 million, 70% from venison and 0% from velvet antler, with some local value-adding.

An independent market analysis completed in 2005 (Project LBP-1A) demonstrated that, as a red meat, venison has significant advantages over other red meats and as a result venison attracts much higher prices in the food services sector. Even secondary venison cuts and trim are highly valued by the food processing sector due to low fat content. However, despite the fact that the price per kilogram paid by end consumers for venison is double that of competing red meats, the farm gate price per kilogram paid to deer farmers for their livestock is significantly lower than the price per kilogram paid for sheep or cattle. In 2005-06, prices paid to deer farmers for live deer were at historically low levels whilst, paradoxically, historically high prices were being paid for sheep and cattle. The explanation for this anomaly lies in costs associated with current venison processing arrangements.

In 2005-06 RIRDC and the deer industry undertook a major review of venison production (US-10A), culminating in the endorsement by industry of a new strategic plan for venison production. The key element of this plan is facilitation by RIRDC of the establishment of venison supply chain alliances. This process has now reached Stage : Implementation of projects identified in the alliance business plans. The RIRDC Deer Five-Year R&D Program is heavily focused on the implementation of this industry-endorsed strategic plan for the foreseeable future. It is anticipated that this will occur through a number of producer-initiated R&D projects modelled on similar producer-driven R&D in other industries.

Key outputs in 2006-07

Key outcomes in 2006-07 Collaboration Publications in 2006-07
06/075 2006 Research in Progress—Deer
06/133 Deer Industry R&D Plan 2006–2011

Buffalo

Research Manager
Dr Peter McInnes
Ph: 08 8556 733 1
Fax: 08 8556 7289
mcinnes2@comstech.com

Objective:
To accelerate the commercial development of the buffalo industry.

Strategic plan
This program has its own five-year R&D plan, accessible in hardcopy and at http://www. rirdc.gov.au/programs/buffalo.html

Source of funds
This sub program is funded by statutory levies paid by industry participants. The levy is matched by the Commonwealth up to 0.5 per cent of the gross value of farm production.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $51,822
2005–06: $49,924

Key performance indicators

Background
A buffalo industry has been in existence in Australia for well over a century. For many years the export of hides was the main commercial trade with an average of 7000 hides exported annually between 1911 and 1956. Live exports commenced in 1958.

In 1983 the Australian buffalo population was about 280,000. The brucellosis/tuberculosis eradication campaign (BTEC) reduced the number to 40-fs50,000 by 1992. A spin off from BTEC was the stimulation of more manageable herds and better meat processing objectives including a quality tenderbuff carcass with well defined specifications.

The raising of buffalo is now occurring throughout Australia with the majority located in Northern Territory. Many states and the Northern Territory have an industry council and the Australian Buffalo Industry Council was formed in 2000.

The importation of some Riverine buffalo to Australia in the 1990s has provided the opportunity for crossbreeding with the local swamp buffalo. Progeny from this breeding have faster growth rates and reach tenderbuff specifications at a younger age. Crossbreeds, particularly with a high infusion of the Riverine breed, and purebred Riverine, are being milked for cheese and yoghurt products.

There has been for many years a Commonwealth statutory levy on Buffalo slaughtered and exported. Since 1995-1996 levy funds and matching Commonwealth Contributions have been administered by RIRDC for R&D.

Key outputs in 2006-07

Key outcomes in 2006-07

Portfolio 3—National Rural Issues

Overview

General Manager:
Dr Caroline Lemerle
Ph: 02 6271 4140
Fax: 02 6271 4199
caroline.lemerle@rirdc.gov.au

Portfolio Goals:

Portfolio Outputs: Portfolio Outcomes: Overall Outcome:
To facilitate a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector.

Portfolio Inputs:

Total Expenditure
2006–07: $6.3m
2005–06: $7.8m

Background
The National Rural Issues Portfolio invests in R&D to deliver solutions to cross cutting issues impacting in rural and regional Australia. These issues are as diverse as farm health and safety and trade policy. The portfolio addresses problems that constrain the sustainability (economic, social and environmental) of agricultural industries and the rural communities that service them.

Challenges and Opportunities
Pressures on the economic, ecological and social fabric of rural and regional communities are:

These pressures contrast with opportunities arising from the burgeoning economies in China and India, and the changing demographics and agricultural systems in rural Australia.

Four NRI programs address more sustainable production systems and alternative products. They are agroforestry, environment and farm management, rangelands and wildlife systems and organic systems. The other three programs address national trade policy, food safety and biosecurity, and human capacity building to facilitate adoption of change.

Several Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) and other research agencies have a continuing priority to support the development of alternative production systems and options for ‘reinventing Australian agriculture'. This provides an opportunity for collaborative and integrated research to achieve common goals.

In 2006-07, two collaborative projects run through the Joint Venture for Agroforestry Program (JVAP) investigated the scope for growing woody perennials in new commercial grazing systems to produce fodder, biomass for energy and plant-derived compounds.

In 2006-07 this Portfolio considered ecosystem services and rehabilitating landscapes particularly through the planting of trees and native vegetation.

JVAP investigated the potential that different market based instruments (e.g. carbon credits) have for promoting revegetation in catchments. programs focused on using environment management systems (EMS) to monitor production and enhance resource use efficiency. A number of quality assurance, best management and environmental certification schemes are emerging. Care will be needed in implementation, as the pathway from EMS to marketplace benefits is less clear, and there is a risk of both the producer and consumer being confused by the number and complexity of the schemes.

Safety and health have become increasing priorities for food producers and consumers, both domestically and in the markets of our trading partners. The Joint Venture for Farm Health and Safety investigated farm safety as a critical issue in rural communities.

Food integrity applies to all aspects of the supply chain and impacts on the acceptance of Australian food by consumers.

The human capital engaged in rural industries drives innovation and change. Many agencies, both government and agribusiness, aim to build human capital by providing knowledge and skills to utilise new production systems and technologies. Research and development to improve the educative and delivery processes that underpin these services will enhance this human capital.

In 2006-07 RIRDC worked with other RDCs to implement the recommendations of the Cooperative Venture for Capacity Building (CVCB) within commodity groups, and at a local, state and national level.

Rural structural adjustment is an ongoing response to changing regulation, commodity profitability and pressures on the natural resource base. The generic issues impacting on structural adjustment do not change markedly over time, but there are some issues which are context specific. An example is understanding the current water reform process and the adjustment pressures it creates.

The National Rural Issues portfolio responded to these challenges and opportunities in 2006-07 with targeted R&D.

Key issues in 2006-07:

Agroforestry, Farm Forestry and JVAP

Research Manager
Dr Rosemary Lott
Ph: 02 6271 4144
Fax: 02 6271 4199
rosemary.lott@rirdc.gov.au

Objective:
To provide knowledge to underpin profitable, sustainable and resilient agroforestry within Australian farming systems and landscapes.

Strategic plan
The JVAP Five-Year R&D plan is accessible in hardcopy and at http:/www.rirdc.gov.au/ programs/aft.html

Source of funds
This program was funded jointly by core partners RIRDC, Land & Water Australia, and Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation. Funding was also provided for some activities by the Natural Heritage Trust, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, the Department of Environment and Heritage Australian Greenhouse Office, and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $1,055,142
2005–06: $1,875,199

Key performance indicators

Background
The two components of this program are JVAP and Bioenergy Australia.

RIRDC has managed Bioenergy Australia (formerly the Biomass Taskforce) since 1998. Bioenergy Australia fosters and facilitates the development of biomass for energy, liquid fuels, and chemical feed stocks.

Established in 1993, JVAP aims to assist the development of profitable agroforestry industries while delivering beneficial natural resource outcomes.

Agroforestry is the incorporation of trees and other woody perennial species into farming systems, for commercial and natural resource management benefits.
 

Agroforestry can provide multiple products and services: energy, wood and fibre, eucalyptus oil and oil products, other extractives, food, fodder and ecosystem services including improved farm viability, soil and salinity management and carbon sequestration.

Investment in agroforestry, particularly in the medium to low rainfall regions, can be subject to greater risk than other commercial land use enterprises with proven production systems and more transparent commodity markets. R&D intervention can help reduce this risk by improving tree management practices, by quantifying land, water, biodiversity and social responses to agroforestry systems, by developing new products from trees in low to medium rainfall areas, by addressing landholder decision-making needs (economic and management), and by enhancing landholder knowledge and capacity to farm trees.

JVAP has identified three main areas to achieve industry investment, development and sustainable natural resource management. These are:

Complementing these research priorities, JVAP will emphasise information delivery and national coordination of agroforestry research.

Key outputs in 2006-07

Key outcomes in 2006-07 Collaboration
Collaborative research projects are: JVAP also participates in the Partners in Vegetation Management, an alliance between nine organisations (government, RDCs, CSIRO and Greening Australia) to facilitate improved communication of vegetation management information.

Bioenergy Australia provides a network for Australian bioenergy information exchange, and has 52 paying members. Bioenergy Australia is the vehicle for Australia's membership of the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Program.

Publications in 2006-07
 
06/077  2006 Research in Progress—AFT 
07/01  An Improved Online Bioenergy Atlas of Australia 
07/077  Australian Low Rainfall Tree Improvement Group: A strategy to develop a low rainfall breed of Pinus radiata 
07/06  Biofuel Database: A database of energy-related characteristics for Australian biomass 
05/178  Breeding Blue Mallee 
07/076  Communication for Sustainable Private Native Forestry 
05/128  Fauna Conservation in Australian Plantation Forests—A review 
0/19  Feasibility of local, small scale commercial native plant 
07/072  Guidelines for Regional Private Native Forestry 
07/085  Impact of Insects on Eucalypt Plantations in the Murray Valley 
05/175  Modelling the Potential Productivity of Commercial Farm Forestry Species 
07/08  Nutrient Management of Intensively Oil Mallee Tree Crops 
05/181  Profitability of medium to low rainfall agroforestry in the cropping zone 
0/18  Research Update—Small scale commercial plant harvests in Indigenous communities
06/01  Rural display units-Innovative solutions for information dissemination 
07/068  Salt-tolerant Hybrid Eucalypts 
05/179  Six best bet products from agroforestry biomass grown in low rainfall areas 
06/029  The Australian Master TreeGrower Program—Development, delivery and impact of a national 
outreach and education program (1996-200) 
06/121  Thermochemical Processing of Agroforestry biomass for furans, phenols, cellose and essential oils 
05/180  Using Banded Tree-Agriculture Systems to meet surface water management targets: a design 
framework 
07/086  Using Eucalypt Oil as a Carbon Source for Deriving Other Compounds: Development of a microbial library 

Environment and Farm Management

Research Manager
Dr George Wilson
Ph: 02 6281 2160
Fax: 02 6285 1195
georgewilson@awt.com.au

Objective:
To support innovation in agriculture and the use of frontier technology to meet market demands for accredited sustainable production.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $590,883
2005–06: $594,312

Strategic plan
Key strategies for this program are available at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/efm.htm

Source of funds:
This program is funded from RIRDC core funds provided by the Australian Government.

Key performance indicators

Background
The Environment and Farm Management Program (EFM) sponsors research and development into ways that farm-based agribusiness systems can be made both sustainable and more profitable.

In the past seven years RIRDC has invested in research aspects of the application of EMS in agriculture. An EMS is an integrated management system that producers can use to identify and manage their impact on the environment and improve production efficiencies.

Current experience and pilots supported by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, indicate producers and landholders who adopt EMS are likely to benefit from improved resource use efficiency. However, the pathway to marketplace benefits are less clear, and the likelihood of both the producer and consumer being confused by the number and complexity of the schemes is growing. A number of quality assurance, best management and environmental certification schemes are emerging.

The EFM also supports innovative commercial opportunities, particularly those involving the conversion of liabilities into assets. It focuses on issues that cross a number of primary production sectors and operates in the context of trends such as:

Key outputs in 2006-07 Key outcomes in 2006-07 Publications in 2006-07
07/07  Biodiversity in a Piped Rural Water System—Evaluating the impact of the Wimmera Mallee pipeline on biodiversity on farms
06/018  Economic and Environmental Benefits / Risks of Precision Agriculture and Mosaic Farming 
06/127  Furfural Chemicals and Biofuels from Agriculture 
06/028  Future Broadacre Agricultural Landscapes—Proceedings of the Conference and Workshop, 15th 17th June 2004
05/166  Managing Environmental Impacts in Inland Saline Aquaculture 
06/129  Native Vegetation and Profitable Perennials to ameliorate salinity, and enhance biodiversity, beneficial insects and pest control. 
07/033 Seaweed Agronomy: Cropping in inland saline groundwater evaporation basins 
06/130  Use of Fire to Control Parthenium Weed 

Rangeland and Wildlife Systems

Research Manager
Dr George Wilson
Ph: 02 6281 2160
Fax: 02 6285 1195
georgewilson@awt.com.au

Objective:
To facilitate a more diverse rural sector, enhanced biodiversity and innovative industries based on non-traditional uses of the rangelands and their wildlife.

Strategic plan
Key strategies for this program are available at http://www. rirdc.gov.au/programs/rws.html

Source of funds
This program is funded from RIRDC core funds provided by the Australian Government.

Research expenditure
2006–07: $481,044
2005–06: $476,525

Key performance indicators

Background
The drought in many parts of Australia has seriously reduced livestock carrying capacity on the rangelands and has contributed to biodiversity loss and environment damage.

Under current arrangements, wildlife is a liability over which landholders have little control. Yet some wildlife produce high quality meat and leather, and appear to be softer on the environment than equivalent numbers of livestock. Wildlife is also an asset to the tourism industry and a core component of the national heritage. Clearly there needs to be better ways of integrating wildlife conservation with commercial resource use and development. Giving landholders the opportunity to capture the value could be an incentive to restore natural systems.

Several rural research corporations and other research agencies have a continuing priority to support the development of alternative production systems and options for 'reinventing Australian agriculture'. Some are considering ecosystem services and returning landscapes to their prior condition particularly through the planting of trees and native vegetation. The Rangeland and Wildlife Systems sub program has a similar approach through a focus on trialling wildlife based options on the rangelands. In 2005, with financial support from the National Landcare Program, two trials commenced to test the option of giving landholders both greater responsibility for wildlife and the opportunity to benefit

financially from conservation activities. If all goes well, they will run for up to six years. The Sustainable Wildlife Enterprise (SWE) trials give effect to the recommendations of the 1998 Senate inquiry into the commercial use of native Australian wildlife. The trials are being undertaken in WMC located on the Murray River near Mildura, on the Maranoa-Balonne catchment near Roma, Qld and by a group of landholders near Broken Hill, NSW. The desired outcome is increased wild resources being conserved and restored and biodiversity enhanced.

Key outputs in 2006-07

Key outcomes in 2006-07