R&D investment for Aussie dairy industry
priorities of Australia's dairy sector, according to the new
manufacturing head of the industry's research and development
organisation.
Environmental sustainability and bioscience technologies are key priorities of Australia's dairy sector, according to the new manufacturing head of the industry's research and development organisation.
Investment in the R&D side of Australia's dairying industry continued to deliver benefits of $3.20 (€1.80) for each dollar invested, according to the latest annual report of the Dairy Research and Development corporation.
Research projects and other expenditure totalling $31.9m were funded in 2001/02, slightly up on the previous period's investment of $31.1m. A total of 326 research projects were funded in the period, 89 of which were new.
This is 19 per cent fewer than the previous year as greater emphasis was placed on funding larger projects, with the median value of each project increasing from $21,158 (in the previous year) to $44,629 9 (€24,820).
Highlights of 2001/02 include: 93 per cent of the DRDC's budget spent on projects that increase the supply of, or demand for, dairy products; 75 per cent of the budget spent on projects expected to provide benefits within five years; and a 14 per cent increase in the number of projects completed.
DRDC chair Tony Bates said: "Our combined income from levy funds and matching payments from the Federal Government increased by more than $750,000 due to a combination of increased milk production and higher milk prices.
"It has been rewarding to see the benefits of R&D, not only with better on-farm and manufacturing practices, but also through a wider range of formal acknowledgement and support from industry stakeholders across the value chain."
Since 1997 Australian dairy farmers have contributed a levy of 2.9c/kg milkfat to fund research projects facilitated by the DRDC. The 2001/02 levy total of $13.8m was up from $13.1m the previous year and reflected a 6.9 per cent increase in milk production volumes nationally.
The Association noted that this year saw the birth of Australia's first genetically modified dairy calves - Holly, Molly, Lolly and Jolly - along with the establishment of the Co-operative Research Centre of Innovative Dairy Products, now headed by the DRDC's founding managing director Paul Donnelly.
Describing 2001/2002 as a 'pivotal year' Bates added: "The industry is continuing to develop its core strengths and capabilities, and will be better able in the longer term to meet the challenges and opportunities as it works towards its vision of being an internationally competitive, innovative and sustainable dairy industry."
