Assess and/or encourage opportunities to introduce, or improve, new plant industry alternatives, particularly those that may provide opportunities for responding to climate change, for example:

industries based on climate-change-resilient plants (such as high value low water usage plants and heat/drought tolerant plants) and
plant industries that are climate-change-independent, e.g. located in tropical northern Australia; or based on protected/closed systems; or otherwise relatively unaffected by climate-change.
projects based around new industries that include benefits for climate change mitigation (for example, projects investigating a new industry's potential to generate carbon credits). Please note: A high level of support from the industry(ies) concerned is essential for applications under this priority.

Multi-industry/ regional benefits:

Projects that address significant issues, or stand to generate significant benefits, to multiple new industries (e.g. across a region, or an industry sector - minor use, biosecurity and cyclone-proofing are good examples).

Supply chain and value-adding:

Projects that assess and/or facilitate opportunities to develop profitable and sustainable production and supply chain systems, market opportunities and other mechanisms (for a new or existing product within new plant industries) that may assist with adding value to new industry produce to improve its economic benefits to a region

A note on other new plant industries projects

Although this is a limited round with tight priorities, should you have a project of significant promise/impact for new industries in mind, we would like to hear from you. Please send a brief précis to alan.davey@rirdc.gov.au.

A note on native foods projects

As the Native Foods program is coming to the end of its 5 year plan, this will be a planning and information publication/extension year. Accordingly, there will be no open call for Native Foods this year. Nevertheless, should you have a significant and urgent project in mind, we would urge you to send a brief précis of your project to alison.saunders@rirdc.gov.au.

Essential Oils and Plant Extracts

Essential Oils and Plant Extracts Five-Year R&D Plan 2008-2013

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Preliminary applications can be submitted in the following areas:

Improving production systems to raise productivity and control product quality.

Demonstrate safety/efficacy of new products and meeting regulatory requirements:

within this priority research proposals are invited to develop methodologies (to be approved by Australian Standards) to assess chemical residues in oil based plants (both in leaf and oil products). This research has particular relevance to the industry's response to chemical control of myrtle rust.

Support new ideas (and therefore grow the market):

within this priority specific research proposals are invited to investigate carbon methodologies and the potential for woody tree and shrub crops to profit through involvement in the Carbon Farming Initiative

Improve industry and research capacity.

Wildflowers and Native Plants

Wildflowers and Native Plants Five Year Plan 2008-2013

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Preliminary applications can be submitted in the following areas:

Improving existing products and developing new ones:

The success of the Australian wildflower industry relies on the ongoing development of new products - research into new product development remains a priority this funding round. There is also interest in research into agronomic and market testing of products that are yet to reach their full commercial potential.

Enhance the human capital of the industry and consequent research knowledge and adoption:

An RD&E opportunity exists to develop an industry code of practice, underpinned by the recent work in quality specifications and post harvest handling

Providing profitable and sustainable production systems:

Research into establishing nutrient ranges for key commercial wildflower crops is being sought.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil R&D Five Year Plan 2006-2011

Research Priorities for 2012-13

The Tea Tree Oil Program will be having a restricted call in 2012-13 and invite proposals to develop the next Tea Tree Oil Five-year R,D&E Plan, through a process of review, stakeholder consultation and plan development

Olive

Australian Olive Industry Research, Development and Extension Plan 2010-2015.

Please refer to pages 35-48 of the Olive Industry RD&E Plan 2010-2015

Applicants should align their proposals with specific strategies for each of the objectives listed above in this plan.

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Preliminary applications can be submitted in the following areas:

Market research and product development:

whereby research outcomes establish the benefits of Australian olive product

Economically and environmentally sustainable olive industry -

whereby research outcomes enable maintenance or improvement of the current high quality product while improving productivity, profitability and environmental management through all stages of the supply chain

Dealing with climate change and variability:

whereby research outcomes assist with the development of strategies for existing and new olive producers to reduce where practicable the effects of climate change and variability

Communication, coordination and training:

whereby RD&E outcomes facilitate the building of an educated, collaborative, innovative and skilled industry workforce and a cost effective, well funded Research, Development and Extension program

Chicken Meat

Chicken Meat Research and Development Plan 2009-14

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Applicants should consult the Five-Year Plan in the development of research proposals.

Preliminary applications can be submitted in the following areas:

Production efficiency for profit, climate change response and food security:

research to improve feed conversion in meat chickens, to better utilise feed ingredients and to identify ways to refine diet specifications such that feed costs are reduced without impairing performance
. novel research approaches that lead to a better understanding of the impact of gut microflora on gut health and performance and how this can be manipulated in a beneficial way
development of nutritional strategies (including breeder nutrition) to optimise the nutrition of the young chick such as to improve whole of life performance

Animal welfare:

provide growers with tools to assist their management of environmental, food safety and animal welfare issues

Food safety:

develop additional through-chain strategies for control of Campylobacter and Salmonella

Addressing climate change, delivering resource use efficiency and environmental outcomes:

assist industry to understand, adapt to and profit from climate change

Collaboration to deliver human capital formation and extension outcomes:

rebuilding the industry's human and institution research capacity

Honeybees

Honeybee Five-Year Plan 2007-2012

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Proposals need to be aligned with the Program's five-year R&D plan. Funding prioritisation is likely to be given to proposals that address the following project scopes.

Preliminary applications can be submitted in the following areas:

R&D Plan Objective: Pest and disease protection:

Project 1: Tracking foraging bees back to their nest

Background

During an incursion of exotic honey bees there is often a need to locate, destroy or sample these feral bee colonies. Such nests are usually located by ‘beelining', which is tedious and expensive. New technologies developed for tracking locust swarms involve fixing mirrors to individual insects and tracking their movements via reflections from a powerful strobe mounted on an autonomous miniature helicopter.

Objectives

Investigate the feasibility of adapting the locust tracking system to trace foragers trained to a feeding dish back to their nest
Develop improved systems for locating feral bee nests by any means

R&D Plan Objective: Pest and disease protection

Project 2: Identification of ‘African' genes in imported stock including semen

Background

There is ongoing demand for imported honey bee stock. Imported queens can be used as mothers of queens for export, thereby meeting customer demand. Australian queen breeders are often desirous of obtaining stock from overseas to enhance their breeding lines. Finally, should the Varroa mite reach our shores, it will be highly desirable to import stocks already known to be resistant.

Currently, it is not possible to certify that imported stock is free of ‘African' genes, i.e. genotypes that originated with the subspecies A. m. scutellata. A way to remedy this situation is to identify a suite of genetic markers that are unique to A. m. scutellata.

Objectives

Develop a set of genetic markers such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that can reliable identify bees with A. m. scutellata ancestry.
Ensure that the markers can be used in semen as well as queens.
Develop protocols acceptable to AQIS that will allow identification of African genotypes in imported stock

R&D Plan Objective: Productivity and profitability enhancement

Project 3: A cost-effective method for killing queen bees - remote finding and/or killing

Background

Finding and killing a colony's queen is a time consuming but necessary and costly part of colony management for the commercial beekeeping industry. Beekeepers need a cost-effective method for finding and/or killing queens. If a queen could be found remotely, or killed without locating her, the hive could be re-queened quickly. (A specific approach for locating a queen is set out in Project 4.)

Objectives

Develop a proof of concept cost-effective device to find and/or kill queens remotely.

R&D Plan Objective: Productivity and profitability enhancement

Project 4: A cost-effective method for killing queen bees - an in-hive trap

Background

An in-hive trap that could catch a colony's queen within a few hours could provide a major boost to beekeeper productivity. When queen bees meet on a comb, they usually fight. Queens recognize other queens a cuticular hydrocarbon secreted by the tergal glands. These compounds have not been identified, but are potentially useful as attractants for queens that could be deployed in an in-hive trap.

Objectives

Use HPLC to identify the compound(s) that attract queens
Synthesise the compounds and demonstrate that they attract queens to dummies
Design and test a trap that would attract queens and hold them.

R&D Plan Objective: Productivity and profitability enhancement

Project 5: Access to information in out-of-print books valued by the beekeeping industry

Background

Beekeepers are keen for the following out-of-print books about honey and pollen flora and beekeeping to be updated: ‘Beekeeping' (previous published as ‘Beekeeping in Victoria'), ‘Victorian Honey and Pollen Flora', ‘Honey and Pollen Flora of Queensland' and ‘A Compendium of Graham Kleinschmidt's Research Papers'. An additional book (‘Honey and Pollen Flora of NSW') is currently being revised for publication. Advice is needed on how to cost effectively give beekeepers access to the information contained in these publications. This will require not only an assessment of copyright issues and the cost of updating information but also an evaluation of the platform (book or electronic) through which to provide access. Consideration of a wiki style website will be required.

Objectives

Calculate the cost of delivering to the beekeeping industry the information in, and updated versions of, currently out-of-print books that are valued by the industry.
Compare the cost of delivering the information in hard copy and via a web platform accessible via smart phone/tablet technology.
Assess the likelihood of the information being able to be kept up to date by use of a wiki style website.

Pollination

Pollination Five-Year R&D year plan 2009-2014

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Proposals need to be aligned with the Program's five-year R&D plan. Funding prioritisation is likely to be given to proposals that address the following project scopes.

Preliminary applications can be submitted in the following areas:

R&D Plan Objective: Pest and disease management

Project 1: Improving traps, bait boxes and remote poisoning for pest bees

Background

Research is needed to improve the efficacy of traps, bait boxes and remote poisoning for pest bees, taking into account the behaviour of pest bees. Gel-traps are considered to be the most promising trap type for bees. However work to date by DEEDI has shown that while these traps are effective more development is needed to capitalise and maximise their potential. An assessment is needed to improve the attractiveness so the maximum number of bees can be collected. Bait boxes have been used as a front line detection method but have only captured two swarms of Asian Honey Bees in Queensland. Research to improve the attractiveness of the entry and cavity size is needed for bait boxes/trap logs to make them more effective for Asian Honey Bees. Remote poisoning stations have only recently been implemented in Cairns for Asian Honey Bees and further research is needed to determine the number of bees required to feed and the length of time the feed is available at stations to ensure the technique results in death of the colony. This work is important as the impact on non-target pests needs to be determined so that the necessary permits can be obtained to use this technique.

Objectives

Design experiments to test approaches to improve the efficacy of traps, bait boxes and remote poisoning for pest bees.
Undertake and evaluate the results of the experiments.
Recommend further improvements to the efficacy of traps, bait boxes and remote poisoning for pest bees.

R&D Plan Objective: Incursion risk minimisation

Project 2: Risk assessment of ports for surveillance for bee pest and pest bees

Background

A desk top study on ports in Australia is needed that captures information on volume of and type of traffic and cargo and its origin as well as the port size and its climate. Information is also needed on the feral and managed Apis mellifera (European honey bee) populations around ports and the numbers of pest bees and bee pests detections that have occurred. This will enable a risk assessment to be conducted to determine the types of surveillance that would be most effective in different ports.

Objectives

Collate relevant information for a risk assessment of ports for surveillance for bee pest and pest bees.
Undertake risk assessment employing existing models where appropriate.

R&D Plan Objective: Pest and disease management

Project 3: What is the risk of spreading disease during almond pollination?

Background

One of the biggest concerns of beekeepers is the risk of catching disease or pests from other beekeepers participating in almond pollination. No other event involves so many beekeepers and their bees in such close proximity to one another. Beekeepers from all the eastern states provide bees to pollinate almonds. Many ask if they are at risk and are reluctant to bring their bees to almonds. Even though every effort is made to keep infection risks to a minimum, no one knows the real risks.

Objectives

Undertake a risk assessment of the current operations of beekeepers in the management of hives throughout the year that are used to pollinate almonds.
Evaluation the cost and benefits to risk mitigation options to reducing the spread of diseases and pests between hives during the provision of pollination services to the almond industry.
Recommend cost-effective risk management strategies that beekeepers could employ in managing hives for all crops that require pollination.

R&D Plan Objective: Resource access - landscape and nutrient management for effective pollination

Project 4: Novel rearing techniques for reducing the time required to produce hives ready for pollination

Background

Currently the European honeybee crop pollination services available in Australia are less than the number required were all pollination to be done by paid pollination services. If Varroa becomes established in Australia, it is likely that the number of hives required for crop, will rise faster than the rate of multiplication.

Objectives

Review the methods beekeepers use to prepare hives for pollination.
Develop a new method for beekeepers to more quickly multiplying the number of effective hives available for pollination than is currently used.

R&D Plan Objective: Improving the effectiveness and economics of pollination - living with Varroa

Project 5: A research project identified by workshop

Background

A report Non-chemical and minimal chemical use options for management of Varroa (https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/10-201) identified a number of possible research projects.

Rice

Rice R&D Plan 2012-2017

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Applicants should consult the Five-Year Plan in the development of research proposals.

Preliminary applications can be submitted in the following areas:

Rice breeding - varietal and quality improvement:

respond to an evolving production environment through development of stress tolerant rice varieties (cold, heat and drought) that reduce water use and maintain or enhance eating quality and yield. This objective has primacy in the plan. It is delivered through a collaboration agreement with SunRice, I&I NSW and RIRDC. RIRDC collaboration agreement funding will be supplemented with additional Program support to deliver the industry's most important R&D challenge (50%).

Prescription farming and sustainability:

precision agriculture and whole farm system research offers further opportunity for rice production efficiency gains. Understanding spatial variation and developing prescription tools for maximising production is a priority. Rice growers, using yield loggers, report single field yields from 8t/ha to 18t/ha. The switch to Delayed Permanent Water has resulted in a new set of crop establishment challenges. Crop establishment on heavy grey self mulching clays remains problematic. Rice is a progressive industry that recognises the importance of investing in sustainability and the challenge of understanding and embracing the carbon economy (15%).

Crop inputs, crop protection and grain receival:

the cost and effectiveness of crop inputs including fertiliser and fuel shape grower profit. Protecting the crop from weeds, pests and diseases in a changing natural and regulatory environment is an ongoing challenge for growers. Expansion of the industry into northern Australia exposes production to new biosecurity threats. Receiving the best price for the quality and variety of grain produced provides important production signals for growers. This objective addresses input effectiveness and cost along with post farm gate investments in the rapid assessment of grain quality (15%).

Extension, communication and partnership development:

this objective recognises and addresses the changing nature of public support for extension, the expansion of private sector alternatives including farmer groups and the viability of new electronic communication systems. It also sets out to reinvigorate research partnerships and nurture new collaboration opportunities (10%).

Human capital formation and succession planning:

the rice R&D plan will remain a collection of good ideas without appropriate human capital to implement it. In difficult times human capital formation has been neglected in order to fund core research commitments. Now is the time to rectify underinvestment and the Program must target research, industry and grower skills (8%).

Blue sky research:

in this plan ‘blue sky' research is defined as including novel or unproven approaches to addressing industry issues and high risk/high reward investments that tackle industry opportunities outside the Program's core business. Blue sky research is characterised by creativity and the lack of immediate commercial return (2%).

Program budget allocations are flexible and will be guided by the Rice R&D Committee. The plan is consistent with RIRDC's overriding aim of maximising the contribution its investments make to the profitability, sustainability and resilience of rural industries and communities.

Horse

Horse R,D&E Plan 2011-2016

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Applicants should consult the Five-Year Plan in the development of research proposals.

Preliminary applications can be submitted in the following areas:

Prospective applicants are advised to review the Program's new Five-year RD&E Plan (2011-2016). The Five-year Plan contains objectives and component strategies that reflect issues of importance to the Australian horse community. Funding prioritisation is likely to be given to quality proposals that are clearly aligned with the Plan.

The following additional priority topic areas have been identified by the Committee through consultation with industry representatives.

RD&E Plan Objective: Reduce impact of Hendra Virus:

Hendra virus research

Proposals are needed for projects to address one or more of the following objectives:

Improve understanding and management of risks to horses and humans from Hendra virus.
Develop of a rapid test to identify Hendra virus.
Develop a system/protocol for identifying vaccinated horses post introduction of Hendra vaccine.

Global Challenges

Global Challenges R&D Plan 2009-2014

Research Priorities for 2012-13

Proposals need to be aligned with the Program's five-year R&D plan. Funding prioritisation is likely to be given to proposals that address the following project scopes.

Improving international trade in agricultural commodities
Issues affecting the domestic trade in agricultural products
Cross sectoral issues relating to agricultural productivity
Australia's role in global food security