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Rural Industries
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This is RIRDC's quarterly
corporate newsletter distributed by mail to 2,500 researchers, industry,
government, farmers, libraries and consultants. Contributions are welcome.
Email
us to be placed on the mailing list.
Editor: Eva Hickman,
ph 02 6272 3186. email: evah@rirdc.gov.au
The study looks at three of Australia’s top four Asian food-export destinations—South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia—and found that although all three have suffered substantially from the Asian crisis, and not likely to fully recover in the short term, there are encouraging recovery signs in all three economies.
Three separate reports have been developed on the countries as part of RIRDC’s Global Competitiveness program which identifies impediments to Australia’s agricultural sector on a global scale.
According to program manager Jeff Davis, it is timely to deliver relevant information to Australian agribusinesses after the recent economic developments in Asia.
“These food-specific studies provide up-to-date information on the political, economic and social changes occurring in South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia as they impact on the industry, anticipating emerging demand trends, and identifying market opportunities that could prove profitable for differentiated Australian food products.
“The information will provide a few answers to agribusinesses who are
investigating re-entering these markets, to seek new opportunities,” Dr
Davis said.
Market opportunities
“We have found there are still good opportunities for Australian food companies to secure market position now, and the medium to long term outlook is very encouraging. However, exporters should conduct thorough market research before investing.”
STA Executive Director Jim Kennedy was also optimistic about the future. “There are now great opportunities for down-chain investments of assets or business equity at low prices.”
“There is also the lower risk strategy of securing market position by relationship and business testing by using stock as a form of capital, either on consignment, shipment by shipment, or by tranche pricing, where the first level covers costs.
‘The Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia together make up almost 25% of all Australian food exported to Asia and the fundamental changes that are rapidly occurring in their economic, political and social spheres will continue to impact Australian food companies,’ said Mr Kennedy.
Copies of the three reports are available for $20 each (plus p&h) from RIRDC on ph 02 6272 4819 or STA on ph 02 6273 1717.
For more information on RIRDC’s Global Competitiveness program phone
Dr Jeff Davis on 02 6272 4152.
Well, RIRDC’s stable of nearly 250 research reports are now available for purchase 24 hours a day online through a special arrangement with CSIRO Publishing.
All of RIRDC’s titles, including the latests reports, can be accessed at http://www.publish.csiro.au/ where, under the “agriculture” category, they are listed in alphabetical order.
The titles also are available on RIRDC’s own home page at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/cat/conetents.html where each title is linked to the CSIRO online catalogue for purchase. RIRDC's website also allows you to order offline by post, fax or telephone.
After four years of research and market development the industry looks to have good potential as a specialist crop for domestic and export markets in these regions.
The findings of a RIRDC project by Victoria’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, which has just been released for publication, point to a healthy future.
Production and export of buckwheat grain and value-added products was the first step in the crop’s development, filling a void in Australian research information. Little work had previously been completed into the agronomy of buckwheat in Australian conditions, which formed the basis of the project.
Its success has seen the industry develop, despite difficult seasons during the research period, and RIRDC and the Department are now working to develop a quality management package for production and marketing of buckwheat as the industry grows to an expected 8000 tonnes by 2000.
The project, which started in the 1994/95 season aimed to develop buckwheat as a crop for areas identified with the best climatic conditions. Many key growers and marketing companies are now involved in the Australian buckwheat industry as a result of the project.
According to researchers Stuart Clarke and Chris Bluett, the project has greatly increased the awareness of buckwheat as a crop and nutritious grain among farmers, manufacturers and consumers.
Japanese noodles
“This project had a major role in Ballarat being the chosen site of a Japanese noodle factory, Hakubuku,” Mr Clarke said. “Although not initially producing soba noodles, the prospect of obtaining fresh, locally grown buckwheat was a major reason for their choice of Ballarat.”
The trials conducted as part of the project showed that high quality and quantity of buckwheat can be grown with a high standard of crop management.
To order report: phone RIRDC on (02) 6272 4819 for $10 plus
$4 p&h. To buy online click here
More information on buckwheat is available from Chris Bluett or Stuart
Clarke (03) 5333 6782.
But a new model just released is set to take some of the guess-work out of the planning and marketing for a future industry, making the transition smoother.
New survey system
Agricultural consultants Primary Tasks developed a survey system which can be used to gather essential data accurately, efficiently and with optimum frequency and modeled to suit new animal industries. It is included in a new RIRDC report - Information Systems for New Animal Industries.
The research investigated the information requirements and current data collection techniques of new animal industries at different levels of maturity, including ostrich, emu, crocodile, alpaca and camel.
Current individual systems were considered (like the dairy goat farm survey, and Croctel, the crocodile survey) to develop the generic survey system and model.
Regular input
The survey model is designed to provide regular input on farm management and production from producers, from the early stages of a new animal industry.
This gives industry planners data to measure industry growth and production parameters, to give producers comparative performance data and where necessary to streamline return of information to conservation authorities.
For more information: phone Arthur Stubbs on (03) 9844 1135.
To order report: phone RIRDC (02) 6272 4819. Cost $10 + $4 p&h. To buy online click here
The award is given to a person or company which shows excellence through growth of sales of value added products, value adding through customer focus, value shared along the Agribusiness chain, development of sustainable competitive advantage and development of strategic alliances.
Presenting the award, RIRDC managing director Peter Core said Darling Downs had shown considerable effort value-adding in the food manufacturing sector, particularly with pig meat.
“Companies like Darling Downs have shown that value-adding in the Agribusiness
sector is an important part of doing business and we congratulate them
for their outstanding success so far,” Mr Core said.
This year the Corporation is funding some 600 projects totaling about $22 million, in three core business areas – new and emerging rural industries, established rural industries and future agricultural systems.
The directors must have substantial expertise in one or more of the following fields:
Applications in writing, setting out career and personal details,
and stating those areas from the above list in which the applicant has
particular skills and experience should be received, no later that 12 March
1999, at:
A RIRDC information package is available by phoning (02) 6272
3088 or from our website at www.rirdc.gov.au/selectcom.htm
The most barren continent on earth, or more precisely islands just to its north, are home to edible plant species which new research has found have the potential to become fixtures on Australian dinner tables.
Scientists at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, with support from RIRDC, have tested three vegetable species collected from Macquarie and Heard Islands in the sub-Antarctic. Their findings are outlined in the RIRDC report New Salad and Vegetable Crops from Australia’s sub-Antarctic Islands.
If the vegetables do make it to Australian dinner plates, then consumers will be following in the footsteps of 19th century sailors who stopped at the islands and gathered native plants to replenish their supply of green vegetables as a remedy to scurvy.
This original “research” led scientists to believe the plants were not only fit for consumption, but contained high levels of vitamin C and other minerals.
Although all three were quite palatable one vegetable in particular,
Pringlea antiscorbutica, (Kerguelen Cabbage), had proved the best-bet for
widespread commercialisation.
Kerguelen Cabbage scored high for taste, survived well in outdoor conditions
in Canberra and contains high levels of vitamins C and A.
The next step are commercial trials in Tasmania or the south-eastern mainland in cool locations.
To order report: phone RIRDC (02) 6272 4819. Cost: $10 + $4 p&h. To buy online click here
The rapid development of Australian floricultural products over the past decade has increased the importance for marketplace information to both new and experienced growers and exporters.
To assist the development, RIRDC has released three new reports to help the Australian flower industry break into overseas markets.
The reports, prepared by the Flower Export Council of Australia, look
at the USA, Italian and German flower markets, identifying possible opportunities
and pitfalls. The release continues a series on individual countries with
reports on the
United Kingdom, Japan and Netherlands already published.
Each report contains a snapshot of the individual country, summaries of its production and requirements, Australia’s potential as a supplier and important market contacts.
The six market studies are designed to provide a basic level of information to help facilitate entry into the markets by Australian exporters.
To order report: phone RIRDC (02) 6272 4819. Cost: $15 each + p&h. To buy online click here
Quit? . . . not if you’re a
native
Smoke – not heat and ash from a fire as previously thought – germinates
many Australian native plants.
This discovery has enabled scientists to develop methods of using smoke as a tool which produces better results in nursery propagation, and land rehabilitation and management.
With RIRDC support, a team at Kings Park and Botanic Garden Plant Science Division in Western Australia, following a lead from South African botanists, conducted extensive research which can now be used in commercial applications.
Their findings are included in the report Smoke germination of Australian plants, now available through RIRDC.
To order report: phone RIRDC (02) 6272 4819. Cost: $10 + $4 p&h. To buy online click here
Healthy land breeds healthy horses
Horse paddocks, particularly in and near urban areas, present various problems for owners including weeds, soil erosion, horse health problems, dust and general appearance.
By using the paddocks as multi-purpose yards there is a general lack of attention to pasture composition and landcare issues which lead to these problems and also a greater reliance on purchased feed (with extra cost.)
Healthy Land Healthy Horses, the latest report from RIRDC’s equine program, takes a look at the issues of paddock management and delivers guidelines to combine best practices in landcare, horse health and economic feeding.
Of interest to horse owners and those around urban fringes and agistment properties.
To order report: phone RIRDC (02) 6272 4819. Cost: $10
+$4 p&h. To buy online click here
Last updated: 17 February 1998
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http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/summer9899.htm