Shaping the Future is
the corporate newsletter of RIRDC. It is distributed quarterly by direct
mail to over 4,000 researchers, industry, government, farmers, libraries
and consultants. Contributions are welcome.
A pdf version of this newsletter with all illustrations is also available for download (1.2meg).
In this issue:  Free
range gourmet snails
A
Word from the Managing Director
Mary
Boydell appointed as new RIRDC chair
Cultivated
truffles in Tasmania
Artificial
insemination improves alpaca productivity
UN
population forecasts
Tax
incentives for sustainable land use
Subsidies
harm economy and environment
Velvet
antler — evidence supports traditional cure-all
Wanted:
Top quality valerian for world market
Using
market forces to supply eco-products
Hay
transport safety
Australian-grown
Buckwheat
Tea
tree oil takes away the itch
Natural
products effective against chalkbrood disease
Clean,
green energy from biomass
Portable
sawmills for high-value timber
Asian
Vegetables in Australia
RIRDC
BookshopItalian lessons
put Australian industry on fast track
Farming Edible Snails– Lessons from Italy describes techniques for production of edible snails and is based on information gathered in Europe by snail grower Sonia Begg, from Orange, NSW. A major finding is that "pasture production" or "free-range" systems could replace the labourintensive and time-consuming production systems currently in use in Australia. Sonia said the information and photos in this report were gathered in Northern Italy in September least year while attending the International Snail Farming Institute and the 32nd Conference of International Snail Farmers. Insert pics page 1 "During the last 30 years in Italy, snail farming has moved from a small cottage industry to a large-scale, agricultural farming enterprise," she said. "For many years in Italy and other parts of Europe, snails were collected from the wild. This activity led to diminished numbers of snails in their natural habitat, so an embargo was placed on collection of wild snails. "In Italy today, wild snails are no longer considered as a food source as stringent health regulations are now in place. This is necessary to protect the consumer against collected snails that may have ingested toxic plants or potentially harmful chemicals." After years of experimentation and trials for housing and breeding, the current Italian method of raising Helix species of snails in open areas of ‘pasture production’ has proved to be less labour intensive and more cost effective than growing snails indoors or in greenhouses, she said On-going overheads are lower compared to indoor or greenhouse production, as the main costs are only for seeds and the labour for ground preparation and sowing the vegetable crops. The reports builds on information contained in an earlier RIRDC publication titled Breeding and Growing Snails Commercially in Australia, which found there was potential for the establishment of a commercial snail industry in this country. That report detailed intensive production methods using beds and also management of humidity and other environmental variables. Farming
Edible Snails– Lessons from Italy (2003, 18pp, Pub No 03/137; $16)
commercial snail industry in this That report detailed intensive
A Word from the Managing Director New Industries
– Planning for success
However, translating an idea and some initial research into a product and a growing industry is not easy and amongst the many successes there have been failures or instances where the initial promise has not been met. An important first step is to have a good business plan and for this reason RIRDC has conducted a program of supporting excellence in business planning itself. Key success factors for industry development typically include: An industry champion - This is someone with the drive, energy and vision to turn an idea into reality. Such people will have the ability to spot and act on an opportunity. Market focus - This is a crucial factor. It is essential to thoroughly investigate the market for a product before committing to the development of an industry based on it. Financial Management - Access to adequate financial resources is also a key success factor. Developers of new rural industries need, as does any entrepreneur, a passion for what they are doing, but they must temper this with a careful assessment of their financial goals and limits. Other Success Factors include getting the right location and technologies, the style of operation and the role of government. There is strong interest in new rural industries that contribute to diversification, improving returns and more sustainable farming. Participating in a new rural industry can be very exciting and rewarding, however it is vital to approach any venture with a clear understanding of the risks and challenges involved. There is no single formula for success but careful business planning and market research can greatly increase the prospects for a positive outcome. Simon
Hearn
Brisbane-based businesswoman Mary Boydell has been appointed the new Chair of the Rural Industries R&D Corporation (RIRDC) Board. The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Judith Troeth, announced Ms Boydell’s three-year term as Chair of RIRDC, which began on 19 January 2004. Ms Boydell is presently a Director with the Austrade Board, Chair of the Gladstone Area Water Board and a Director with BSES Limited (formerly known as the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations). She has also served for a number of years as the Chief Financial Officer (Australia and Asia division) with the international law firm, Deacons. "As an independent business professional with extensive experience in financial and corporate administration, Ms Boydell will bring a range of skills to the RIRDC Board," Senator Troeth said. "I also believe the scope of Ms Boydell’s experience will help define the Corporation’s long?term strategic directions and contribute significantly to the Board’s day-to-day operations." Senator Troeth thanked the retiring Chair, Professor Beth Woods, for her significant contribution to RIRDC’s operations over the past six years. "Under Professor Woods’ leadership, RIRDC has earned a reputation for running a high-quality research program," the Senator said. "But perhaps more importantly, she has helped ensure that program is responsive to the needs of Australia’s rural industries, and the research results made readily available." "Professor Woods also helped RIRDC become widely recognised as a benchmark for excellence in corporate governance. I believe Ms Boydell has the necessary skills to ensure momentum is maintained in both these crucial areas." Cultivated truffles in Tasmania The French black truffle, or Perigord truffle, is a highlyvalued gourmet food product which is traditionally harvested in closelykept secret groves (truffières) where optimal growing conditions occur. Researchers in Tasmanian have developed a unique technique to create the ideal environment for cultivating the truffles, and are successfully using soils that have been heavily limed in order to increase the soil pH. A soil pH of 7.5 (1:5 water) and above is considered acceptable but production is at its maximum when pH is in the 7.9 to 8.1 range. The truffières in Tasmania are currently above the critical soil pH level of 7.5, but many are below the optimal range. Perigord Truffles of Tasmania (PTT) conducted two trials assessing liming rates, one on existing truffières and another on a proposed truffières. Applying very high rates of lime prior to planting will not add significantly to the cost of establishing the truffière. The current average price for truffles produced by PTT is in excess of $2,000 per kilogram; at this price the potential return on the expense of the higher lime rate will be very profitable. As a result of the trial the application of larger quantities of finer grade lime is recommended prior to the establishment of new truffières. It will be a number of years before the new truffières with the higher lime rates start producing French truffles. The findings of this experiment will enable PTT to develop a strategy for raising the soil pH in established truffières. The use of a cultivation implement along the tree line to incorporate the lime will have additional benefits in reducing soil compaction, improving soil aeration, soil friability and assisting in early spring weed control. The French black truffle, which is the fruiting body of the fungus Tuber melanosporum, grows in a symbiotic relationship with oak and hazel trees and has been traditionally produced in regions of France, Italy and Spain. The truffles are formed in the top 20cm of the soil, and are harvested by hand after dogs sniff out the perfume emitted at maturity. PTT recognised the opportunity to produce and market fresh truffles in the southern hemisphere winter months of June, July and August. In 1999 PTT were recognised nationally for their success at producing Australia’s first French Black Truffle. In subsequent years the production of French truffles from a number of trufferies in Tasmania has confirmed that a French truffle industry in Australia is viable. Increasing
the productivity of truffières in Tasmania (2003, 42pp, Pub
No 03/129; $16)
Artificial insemination improves alpaca productivity A recent RIRDC research project has developed a successful artificial insemination process for alpacas. A need for faster breed improvement through the use of superior sires and problems with low fertility motivated this study. The reproductive physiology of alpacas differs to that of other domestic animals and remains poorly understood. Development of artificial insemination is aimed at increasing the use of superior alpaca males, and will reduce the need for ‘mobile matings’ and associated risk of injury and diseases. Artificial insemination will also allow more humane and economic importation of superior genotypes from overseas and increase the efficiency of dissemination of superior alpaca genotypes around Australia. In other fibre industries, such as Merino sheep and Angora goat production, assisted breeding is being used to improve fibre quality more rapidly than would otherwise be possible by natural mating. Consistent and reliable collection of alpaca semen was possible using a wooden mannequin covered with a tanned alpaca hide. Insert pic page 3 It was possible to train alpaca males to mate with the mannequin. Numerous diluents were mixed with semen in an attempt to prolong the life and maintain the health of sperm following collection. The findings in this project provide a sound basis on which to continue developing the technology for collection, preservation and insemination of alpaca semen. The physiological idiosyncrasies of male alpacas such as extended mating duration and low volume, low density, high viscosity semen provided challenges throughout the entire project. Artificial
insemination of alpacas (2003, 101pp, Pub. No. 03/104; $26)
Food production
must address demographic change
Global Population Projections– Is the UN getting it wrong? discusses why the projections of population growth by the United Nations’ Population Division have at times been misleading. The research also examines current projections, looking at recent trends in fertility rates and life expectancies and what these are likely to mean for global population growth and growth in particular regions and major countries. Of particular concern is that the UN appears to be underestimating the future decline in fertility rates, despite all evidence to the contrary. As a result the latest long-run global population projections appear to be much too high. The changes of the past 50 years have at times been poorly forecast by demographers, including the UN’s Population Division, which has responsibility for global projections. The changes in the most important factor of all—the fertility rate—are hardly understood and have been very poorly forecast. The rate of growth of the global population is slowing rapidly and the projections of the population level to be reached in this Century have been falling for some time. Declining populations are now being projected for several countries and more are likely to be added to this list. Moreover, country populations are aging—in some cases, very rapidly—with declining fertility and increasing life expectancy. These changes in the trends and structure of populations have important implications, not least for food production. Global Population Projections – Is the UN getting it wrong? (2004, 38pp, Pub No 04/041: $21) Tax incentives for sustainable land use A new report from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation provides a summary and analysis of the income and other tax laws in Australia that are likely to affect investment and natural resource management (NRM). Taxation of Primary Producers and Landholders - Improving Natural Resource Management Outcomes is the result of wide consultation with experts in tax law and natural resource management, and provides an overview of innovative tax policies and recommends changes to tax laws. Australia has an extremely diverse and complex natural environment which has been damaged by inappropriate land management. Rising soil salinity and declining water quality in many areas are the results of many years of bad management, once encouraged by income tax laws. The Federal, State and local governments all have responsibility for the natural environment which results in complex administrative arrangements for direct government investment into NRM. Nonetheless governments are committed to direct investment to help repair the environment. Agricultural activities occupy 60% of Australia’s land area. Many of these activities are unprofitable, not providing sufficient cashflow to invest adequately into natural resources. Tax laws could be used to encourage more sustainable practices, by influencing investment decisions made by taxpayers. Currently the tax system denies certain deductions to land holders who are not running a business (for example a landholder who leases out land cannot access the landcare provision). Tax deductions in general are of no immediate benefit to individuals who do not make a profit. Policy decisions need to focus more on encouraging private investment that is linked to regional NRM strategies, in order to complement the direct investment into NRM made by governments. The development of large profitable farm businesses that have adequate funds to invest into NRM, via appropriate tax deductions, is likely to be a cost effective means of improving the environment in the long term. Landholders who currently cannot access tax deductions also need to be encouraged to invest into NRM in a tax effective manner. Taxation
of Primary Producers and Landholders - Improving Natural Resource Management
Outcomes (2004, 69pp, Pub No 04/026; $21)
Subsidies harm economy and environment "OECD countries actively subsidise their farmers to the tune of $US1 billion a day, and Australia is fighting a tough battle to reduce trade-distorting policies and produce more open markets," Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Judith Troeth said late last year. Speaking at the launch of a new report titled Greening Farm Subsidies - The next step in removing perverse farm subsidies, Senator Troeth said this study reflects how much work needs to be done in order to establish competitive and sustainable agricultural production on a global level. "Agricultural exports are responsible for about 80 per cent of the value of Australia’s farm production," Senator Troeth said. "So the policies and actions of other countries are vitally important to our agriculture sector and to Australia’s economy as a whole." The study - funded by the RIRDC and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) - shows there is no doubt the world economy would gain significantly from further agricultural trade liberalisation.
Last year, ABARE estimated that a 50 per cent reduction in agricultural support levels alone would amount to a $US53 billion increase in global gross domestic product in 2010. This estimate does not even factor in returns from increased competition, innovation, improved management and greater technological advances, nor does it account for the potential benefits of reduced environmental damage and improved sustainability. "Distortions caused by agricultural subsidies often have adverse environmental consequences," Senator Troeth said. "The most distorting subsidies are those directly linked to production that give farmers an incentive to overproduce using unsustainable methods." "The key obstacle is the incredibly persuasive power of the farm lobbies internationally. These groups are strong enough to resist reform of agricultural markets and to overcome this influence we need to build coalitions at an international level." "Coalitions of non-government organisations and green lobby groups are becoming powerful forces that can work to minimise the strength of the more selfserving farm lobbies. "The WWF is a recognised international green lobby group, and I am pleased to see such a significant collaborative partnership with an Australian research and development corporation," Senator Troeth said. This
partnership demonstrates the extent to which we have become a global community
that acknowledges and acts shifting global concerns." Greening Farm
Subsidies - The next step in removing perverse farm subsidies 2003,
90pp, Pub No 03/040: $21)
Velvet antler — evidence supports traditional cure-all Deer velvet is a universal term used to describe immature antlers of male deer. The term originates from the covering of soft velvet-like hair that persists on growing antlers until they mature. On commercial deer farms velvet antlers (immature antlers) are removed annually to protect all deer on the farm from injury, ensure a safe working environment for staff and harvest a valuable product used in traditional Chinese medicine. Deer velvet has a long history of medicinal use in China, as well as in Russia and ancient Rome culture. Significant research on deer antler continues around the world, providing support to the growing acceptance that deer antler cartilage has significant future medical application potential. A common theme of the research is that the combination of all components of velvet antler provides a synergistic effect that is greater than the total effect that would be achieved by the separate use of each of its individual constituents. The research indicates that compounds in velvet antler may provide relief of the symptoms of osteoarthritis, stimulate the immune system, assist with growth and strength training, with no apparent side effects. Velvet antler – a summary of the literature on health benefits (2003, 33pp, Pub No 03/084 $16)
Wanted: Top quality valerian for world market Australia has the potential to become a significant producer of the medicinal herb valerian, but the fledgling industry needs to focus on producing a high-quality product. A new report from RIRDC’s Essential Oils and Plant Extracts R&D program, Production of High Quality Australian Valerian Products, discusses the growing world market for valerian and how the high value for products such as valerian concentrate has generated considerable interest. Australia is well positioned to capture a share of the world market and cropping is now conducted in the eastern and southern States. However, if Australia is to be successful at exporting and import substitution, it needs to resolve various handling and quality issues. The root of the valerian plant (Valeriana officinalis)—a medicinal herb native to Europe—is widely used for the treatment of tension, irritability, restlessness and insomnia. As consumers become more demanding in their requirements for product quality, and as world crop supply increases to better match market demand, there will be greater competition in the valerian market. Countries which have the reputation for supplying high quality products will undoubtedly have preferential access to the higher price market segment, maximising the economic return from the crop. The over-riding determinant of quality in all medicinal herbs, including valerian, is the concentration of active constituents. Valerenic acids are the important active constituents in valerian and there is substantial industry interest in increasing their level in traded products. The overall aim of the project was to assist the Australian industry— growers, traders and processors—to improve the quality of Australian grown valerian. The research objectives focused on determining:
It is suggested that labelling of products with valerenic acids content and a more uniform recommended dosage would give consumers greater confidence in the continued purchase of valerian products. Production
of High Quality Australian Valerian Products (2003, 46pp, Pub No 03/081;
$16)
Using market forces to supply eco-products EcoRange has found there is potential for:
Consumers in Australia are beginning to show an interest in environmental and other production practices associated with food. The environmental status of a product is a factor that influences the purchasing decisions of around 30 per cent of consumers, but quality, price, and brand are still the most important factors. Many Australian consumers believe ‘environmentfriendly’ food to be equivalent to organic, and it their interest in it is based on a belief that ‘environmentfriendly’ food is healthy and good for them. Around 22 per cent of consumers would purchase ‘environment-friendly’ meat if it was the same price as regular meat, falling to 18 per cent if a price premium of 10 per cent applied, and falling further to 13 per cent when the price premium was 25 per cent. EcoRange: Market-oriented Environmental Certification for Rangeland Pastoral Industries: EcoRange 1. Project Overview. (2003,
54pp, Pub no 03/131; $16) EcoRange 2. A Review of On-farm Standards
(2003, 81pp, Pub No 03/132;$16)
Hay
transport safety
As a consequence, enforcement officers have selectively focused load restraint and dimensional infringement notices on the hay transport sector. Differences in regulation between states, relating mainly to the maximum allowed overall height and width of a laden hay truck and the conditions under which over-dimensional loads must be transported, have created some confusion in the sector. Transport conditions include load restraint practices, night time curfews for some types of load, or requirements for flashing lights when travelling at night. The main concerns raised by hay transport operators are in relation to the dimension requirements, which can have a considerable effect on the productivity and efficiency of transporting some types of bale. This study aimed to provide a sound technical basis to aid State jurisdictions in developing consistent hay bale loading rules without compromising public safety. There was a need to address the effects of load dimensions on both vehicle stability and road width requirements; these two vehicle performance measures are effectively controlled by the newly-developed Performance-Based Standards for Heavy Vehicles (PBS). One of these standards specifies a minimum amount of rollover stability, while another specifies maximum road width requirements. These two standards were used to assess the stability and road width requirements of various hay truck configurations. The assessment covered the four common hay bale sizes (nominally expressed as 3’x3’x8’ rectangular, 4’x3’x8’ rectangular, 4’x4’x8’ rectangular and 5’x4’ round), the common stacking arrangements employed by industry, a variety of load restraint methods and a set of representative hay truck configurations, providing a total of 77 combinations. The assessment process included two parts. Each load type was physically tested in a specially-designed rig to determine its lateral rigidity when properly restrained on a trailer deck. The stability and road width requirements were determined for each vehicle configuration and load type by computer simulation of vehicle dynamics. The lateral rigidity parameters obtained from the tests were incorporated into the models to pass the effect of load movement on to roll stability performance. These simulation models provided valuable information regarding the effect of load height and bale type on stability, with effects due to load restraint methods also observed. The physical tests revealed enormous variations in lateral rigidity between the different types of bales, with round bales offering the least rigidity. The 4’x4’x8’ rectangular bales were by far the best performers, with more than twice the rigidity of round bales at 4.6m high. The biggest contributing factor to rollover stability was bale type, followed by stacking arrangement, vehicle configuration and finally load restraint method. The stability assessment showed that practically all fully-laden hay truck configurations would comply with the stringent PBS stability standard, including loads that are not allowed under current regulations. The road width assessment showed that all vehicles were able to satisfy the PBS requirements at widths of up to 3m or more. The study shows that the hay transport industry is safe, and is currently unduly restricted by inconsistent loading rules. Hay loading rules could be made uniform by applying a general rule across all States allowing the operation of hay trucks with any type of hay to a maximum overall height of 4.6m and a maximum overall width of 3.0m., provided axle mass limits are not exceeded, Testing and simulation of hay bale loading on semi-trailers (2003, 45pp, Pub. No. 03/120; $21) Australian-grown
Buckwheat
Buckwheat has a long history as a staple food in various Northern Hemisphere countries.and countries such as China, Japan, Korea and Russia were—and still are—the main producers. 3.261 million tonnes of buckwheat was produced globally in 2001, with China producing 52.1%. World export trade in 2000 was 158,167 tonnes (China represented 66.7% of total exports) or 4.85% of world production. Australia exported 1,018 tonnes in 2000. Buckwheat is produced for its nutritional value (high lysine and arginine contents), starchy endosperm and short season maturity. A recent publication from the RIRDC New Plant Products program looks at the buckwheat industry from an Australian perspective. The availability of suitable land in Australia for summer production of buckwheat is severely restricted by the incidence of days extreme heat days and lack of reliable summer rainfall. Australian consumption of buckwheat is increasing slowly in the human health food sector, but the adoption of buckwheat as a regular ingredient in the "mainstream" processed food sector in Australia is not showing appreciable growth. The main target areas for consumption of significant volumes of buckwheat are the starch-based industries of breakfast cereals, bakery, pasta and smallgoods plus sweet and savoury snack foods. Domestic
and Export Market Expansion of Quality Buckwheat (2004, 35pp, Pub No.
04/019; $16)
Tea tree oil takes away the itch Taa tree oil can be used treat a range of inflammatory conditions, according to recent research by RIRDC’s Tea Tree Oil R&D program in partnership with Novasel Australia. The study shows that tea tree oil can regulate the inflammatory response in humans given a small injection of histamine into skin, as well as lessening skin sensitivity reactions to nickel in some individuals. Tea tree oil is the essential oil steamdistilled from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia. It is popular as a natural antimicrobial and anti-fungal therapeutic agent. Anecdotal evidence suggests tea tree oil relieves itching of inflamed skin, and a clinical study of tea tree oil cream as an antifungal agent had noted that the inflammatory symptoms of athlete’s foot were relieved. But these effects had not been tested in scientific studies . Earlier research looked at delayed and immediate skin hypersensitivity in mice. The results showed that tea tree oil can reduce the swelling associated with the inflammatory response in mouse skin in both types of hypersensitivity. The recent study built on these experimental models with a study of the effect of tea tree oil on skin responses in two different circumstances in humans. The first focused on the response of human skin to a small injection of histamine, a chemical that is released by mast cells in the skin. Histamine causes blood vessels to dilate, which shows as redness, and to release fluid into the skin, which causes swelling. Histamine injections mimick the response to irritations such as some insect bites. Small amounts of histamine were injected into the skin in each forearm of 27 volunteers. Most of the volunteers were then treated with tea tree oil at one of the injection sites after 20 minutes, and some had a placebo (paraffin oil) applied. The redness and swelling at both the treated and untreated injection sites were measured every 10 minutes for an hour. Tea tree oil did not affect the development of the redness, but the swelling was significantly reduced. This study was repeated with an additional 15 volunteers, with tea tree oil being applied at 10 then 20 minutes, which resulted in both the redness and the swelling being lessened. Application of liquid paraffin had no significant effect. This is the first study to show that tea tree oil can reduce experimentally-induced inflammation in human skin and gives support to anecdotal reports that tea tree oil can reduce reactions to insect bites. The second study investigated whether tea tree oil could modulate a recall immune response in humans as it does in mice, testing whether tea tree oil could reduce a nickelinduced rash in these subjects. Eighteen nickel-sensitive subjects were evaluated for the effect of tea tree oil on a nickel-induced rash. Small amounts of nickel were applied to the back skin. Subsequently either 100% tea tree oil, 5% tea tree oil lotion, a placebo lotion (no tea tree oil), or 100% macadamia oil was applied at 3 and 5 days after nickel exposure. Anti-inflammatory effects were found with 100% tea tree oil but were predominantly, although not exclusively, seen in a subgroup of nickel-sensitive subjects with a prolonged development phase of nickel-induced hypersensitivity. The results suggest that tea tree oil can be used for the treatment of inflammatory reactions of the skin including those following insect bites and exposure to nickel, and it may be possible to extend that treatment to sensitivity reaction to other chemicals including plant components and other irritants. This project is a good example of a succesful partnership between RIRDC and private industry, in this case Novasel Australia Pty Ltd. Regulation
of Immune Responses in Human Skin by Tea Tree Oil (2004, 33pp, Pub
No 04/037; $16) Regulation of Immune Responses in
Natural
products effective against chalkbrood disease
Chalkbrood is a highly contagious disease of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis. It was first identified in Queensland in 1993 and has since spread throughout Australia. Although not usually fatal, the disease causes reduced honey production. Some hives appear to be more resistant to chalkbrood disease than others due to the ability of their adult bees to uncap and remove affected brood. The disease appears to be most prevalent in the spring when the brood area is increasing. The presence of chalkbrood in a colony can prevent normal colony growth and can seriously affect the honey production of the hive. The antifungal efficacy of over 50 natural products was investigated and a number of essential oils effectively controlled the in vitro growth of Ascosphaera apis. The most active antifungal test agents in this study were Nepalese Lemon Grass oil, Lemon Scented Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citrodora) oil, Lemon Scented Tea Tree (Leptospermum petersonii) oil and a particular fraction of a New Zealand Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) oil. Control
of Chalkbrood diseases with natural products (2003, 31pp, Pub. No.
03/107; $16)
Clean,
green energy from biomass
A new report from the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP), Biomass energy production in Australia, examines the use of biomass to generate electricity and produce liquid transport fuels. Biomass is organic matter originally derived from plants, produced through the process of photosynthesis, and which is not fossilised (such as coal). Biomass can act as a store of chemical energy to provide heat, electricity and transportation fuels, or as a chemical feedstock for bio-based products. This study focuses principally on biomass from farm trees and agricultural crops. Biomass resources also include wood from plantation forests, residues from agricultural and forest production, and organic waste streams from industry, livestock, food production, and general human activities. Biomass for energy is a unique form of renewable, solar energy. Of the massive 178,000 x 1012 Watts of solar energy that falls on the Earth’s surface, some 0.02% or 40 x 1012 Watts is captured by plants via photosynthesis and bound into biomass energy. This translates into the production of some 220 billion ‘dry’ tonnes of biomass per year, which as an energy source represents some ten times the world’s total current energy use. Currently some 15 percent of the planet’s energy requirements are met from biomass, mainly for cooking and heating in developing countries, but also increasingly for fuelling a growing number of large-scale, modern biomass energy plants in industrialised countries. Bioenergy is essentially renewable or carbon neutral. Carbon dioxide released during the energy conversion of biomass (such as combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion or fermentation) circulates through the biosphere, and is reabsorbed in equivalent stores of biomass through photosynthesis. There are a variety of technologies to release and use the energy contained in biomass, such as combustion technologies, and more efficient gasification. Bioenergy, either as electricity or as liquid fuels, represents a huge potential market for new tree plantings. As such, bioenergy is of considerable interest to JVAP. The renewable nature of such energy is also of interest to the Australian Greenhouse Office as a potential method for large scale reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in Australia. Scientists are now confident that an enhanced greenhouse effect is occurring and that a substantial part of the observed change in climate is due to human activities. Where agricultural land is transferred to energy crop production, a net uptake of CO2 also often results from the increased ‘carbon density’ of the land use. Biomass has the dual advantage of acting as an energy substitute for fossil fuels (a carbon offset) and also as a means of sequestering carbon (a carbon sink). CO2 emissions can be reduced by approximately 97% and 93% where suitable biomass is combusted for electricity generation and substitutes for coal or gas respectively. However, the use of more efficient bioenergy conversion systems such as gasification, can further improve emission reductions. Over time it is expected that bioenergy project costs will reduce as industry knowledge increases with regard to feed materials, technical alternatives for processing, and operating characteristics. Biomass energy production in Australia examines the nature of biomass as a fuel source, issues related to its production, harvesting and transport, its conversion into primary and secondary energy products and services, costs and economics of bioenergy in its various forms, and co-values and co-products associated with bioenergy. Biomass
energy production in Australia: Status, costs and opportunities for major
technologies (2004, 265pp, Pub No. 04/031; $60)
Portable
sawmills for high-value timber
The study investigated the sawmilling of four hardwood species (Brown Mallet, Sugar Gum, Yellow Gum and Swamp Yate) grown in nonirrigated plantations harvested from regions of Victoria with rainfall between 400 and 600 mm. These species have traditionally not been considered suitable for commercial timber production, due to their high-density and hardness, and are generally used for firewood, fencing and other utility grades. The low volumes of wood available in the semi-arid regions, and high transport costs, mean it is usually uneconomical to use commercialsized sawmills. Portable sawmills appear to be the most feasible option for farm trees in semi-arid regions. The portable sawmills selected for investigation both require an operator to push and pull the power head along the log to produce sawn boards. The mills used in the trials were a single circular blade type sawmill, and a horizontal bandsaw type sawmill. Initial results showed the selected species produced consistent sized wide boards suitable for the manufacture of furniture or other products. Using
portable sawmills to produce high value timber from farm trees in the semi-arid
zone (2003, 139pp, Pub No 03/046; $21)
Specialty mushrooms
Both Maitake and Morel provide opportunities for new entrants to the national mushroom growing industry. An RIRDC Asian Foods R&D program project has identified suitable Maitake isolates for commercialisation, determined additives to ameliorate eucalypt sawdust for substrate, and trialed a production technique. A large collection of Morel isolates was obtained and preliminary studies on their ability to produce sclerotia, a precursor to fruit body production, were completed. Extensive literature reviews about Maitake and Morels summarise both published and anecdotal information The research on maitake production focussed on developing a technique for the cultivation of maitake based on the Japanese bag method of cultivation. The research also sought to identify maitake isolates with the best commercial potential and provide the industry with a commercially viable maitake production system. Research into morel has looked at providing the industry with a wide range of Tasmanian Morel isolates and identifying Tasmanian isolates to species level. Triggers for sclerotia production were investigated, and the production of sclerotia by Tasmanian isolates was compared with overseas reference isolates. Specialty Mushroom Production Systems: Maitake and Morels ( 2004, 95 pp, pub no. 04/024; $21) Kabocha &
Japanese pumpkin
Trials have confirmed that Australia can produce Kabocha of acceptable quality year round, if the variation in locations and planting dates is optimised. The newer variety, Tetsukabuto, offers greater returns to growers however its acceptance as a processed product for Japan requires verification. In Japan, Kabocha commands quite high prices. Fruits are small (1.5-2.0 kg) and new hybrids of the two species have smaller fruit, due to the higher fruit set rate. Kabocha is grown in Australia for the domestic market and as a fresh and processed product exported to Japan. However, Australia is currently an insignificant supplier of the approximately 130,000 tonnes imported annually to Japan. Kabocha and Japanese Pumpkin in Australia (2003, 74pp, Publication No. 02/167; $26) Daikon (Japanese
radish)
Opportunity to export has prompted some large-scale growers in Victoria, Western Australia (WA) and NSW to increase production. Trials were set up to focus mainly upon export to the Japanese market, but also to enhance production methods, and varietal suitability, for the domestic market. Given the distance to overseas markets, and the bulky nature of the commodity, post-harvest storage trials were also undertaken. Yields were greater in WA than NSW, although yields in both states exceeded those reported for other countries. Where average monthly maximum temperatures are 20-25oC there is potential to successfully grow quality daikon. Daikon in Australia (2003, 33pp, Pub No 03/091;$26)
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