October 3, 2003

Improving durum wheat and pulse varieties, boosting high rainfall cropping and better managing weed, pathogen and insect pests are highlights of the 2004-05 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Investment Plan.

Reflecting the Australian Government’s “National Research Priorities”, it also has a strong environmental and social emphasis, calling for research into water balances in “hot spot” catchments, nutrient management and optimising wheat yield and quality through high moisture harvesting and grain storage.

The GRDC plans to invest some A$25 million in new research in 2004-05.

Acting executive manager for program operations, John Cullen, said the GRDC’s suggested investment of up to $4.5 million over three years in a new Nutrient Management Initiative aimed to maximise the benefits and efficiency of fertiliser, the single greatest production expense for most Australian graingrowers.

“We want fertiliser use linked to nutrient targets in catchments specified under the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality and expect the initiative to support the ongoing development of environmental management systems for the grains industry,” Mr Cullen said.

The GRDC also intends investing up to $1.2 million over three years in catchment water balance research, of which around $350,000 will be invested in 2004-05.

“We have similar investment targets for research to look at the enormous opportunities to improve crop yield and quality in the high rainfall zones of western and southern Australia.

“A doubling of crop yield in high rainfall areas is achievable in the next decade, with an additional four million hectares potentially suitable for cropping,” he said.

Other significant investments for 2004-05 included:

• up to $720,000 a year – $300,000 each for the western and northern regions and $120,000 for the southern region – for sustainable weed management practices (effective control with reduced pressure for herbicide resistance) such as rotations, application technology, herbicide mixtures and non-chemical control options;

• up to $500,000 a year for three years to develop and deliver information packages to improve the confidence of growers in the western and southern regions in the production and market reliability of pulse crops;

• up to $600,000 a year for five years on developing the durum wheat industry, leading to substantial further expansion of production, particularly in southern states;

• up to $500,000 a year for five years for a national Germplasm Development Initiative to coordinate and combine traits developed in individual GRDC supported germplasm development projects into elite backgrounds to be incorporated in Australia’s competitive breeding programs;

• up to $300,000 a year for three years – in addition to $250,000 currently invested – to expand an invertebrate pest initiative which will coordinate and optimise entomological research capability around Australia.

The full Investment Plan 2004-05, including guidelines for potential research applicants, can be downloaded from the GRDC website www.grdc.com.au

The GRDC invites existing and potential research partners to respond by tender, individually or jointly, by November 24.