Foreword
The Methane to Markets in Australian Agriculture Program was established in June 2007 by a collaboration of the Australian Government and industry and forms part of the Methane to Markets Partnership of international countries.

The Australian intensive livestock industry is the principal focus of the Methane to Markets Program. It is both diverse and expanding, with many benefits to be gained by the capture and use of emitted methane as an integral part of its operation.

This Program Plan builds on the outcomes of stakeholder meetings conducted in late 2006 and early 2007 and industry consultation to determine the key issues and priorities for research support. The Plan identifies key objectives for investment and areas for future consideration and details the agreed strategic research and development needs that RIRDC will pursue in partnership with industry.

The Program is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Landcare Program. Industry funding and support has been received from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Dairy Australia, Australian Pork, Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association.

This research and development plan is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1,700 publications, and part of our New Rural Industries Portfolio. It aims to assist in the widespread uptake of methane capture and use in Australia’s intensive livestock and associated processing industries.
 

Peter O’Brien Managing Director  RIRDC

Ralph Leutton Chairman M2M in Agriculture Steering Committee

Snapshot of the Program Plan
Goal
To encourage and enable development, adaptation and use of methane capture and use technology in the Australian intensive livestock industries.

Objectives
1. Development and adaptation of methane capture and use technology for application in the Australian intensive livestock industries.
2. Reduction of the uncertainty, risk and cost of installing methane capture and use systems.
3. Effective communication of the project outcomes.
4. Facilitation of commercialisation of on-farm systems for methane capture and use technology.

Derivation of maximum benefit for Australia from the international Methane to Markets (M2M) Expo in Beijing in November 2007.