Amid speculation that funding for agricultural research is about to be cut, key southern NSW R&D organisations FarmLink and the E H Graham Centre are already planning their research programs for 2010 and beyond.
The Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, John Cobb said the Productivity Commissions Terms of Reference into Agriculture research funding was a prelude to a major Government funding cut to agriculture research development and a push for greater Government control to direct industry research bodies into what type of research they can carry out.
“Industry groups are concerned that the Federal Government will be cutting up to $60 million from agriculture research in this year’s budget and trying to exert control over what research the industry funded bodies can undertake,” said Mr Cobb.
The Rural R&D Council, which was established in February 2009 by Tony Burke, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, is to provide him with independent advice on issues related to rural research and development and Council members include Charles Sturt University Professor Jim Pratley and Cathy McGowan from Albury.
“The Council is meeting in Canberra this week.
“One task for the Council is to come up with a plan for R&D investment in agriculture for the next 20 years.
“All State Governments are reviewing their agricultural R&D programs and some industry research will be rationalised.
“There has been a concern over both a slow down in productivity increases in many major agricultural commodities and investment has dropped off as well,” said Mr Pratley.
The FarmLink research organisation, based at Junee, has a comprehensive research program that covers a large area of southern and central NSW.
The FarmLink board is farmer based and research projects are focused on current issues facing farmers in the main mixed farming areas of southern NSW.
There a number of research projects currently underway focusing on water use efficiency in crops, comparing wheat yield responses to reduced use of phosphorus fertilisers, comparing disc and tyne sowing systems and precision farming.
An expanded program is planned to include the Grain and Graze II project, herbicide efficacy trials, integrated pest management, controlled traffic and pasture projects.
“It is the biggest research program we have ever had.
“FarmLink is in a unique situation as our board is farmer based and we are situated in a region with many other agricultural research organisations,” said Jon Cobden FarmLink’s newly appointed CEO.
The EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is a collaborative alliance between Charles Sturt University and Industry & Investment NSW.
Deirdre Lemerle, Centre Director, sees an opportunity to improve agricultural research, avoid duplication and see farmers quickly adapt new technology.
“There is an opportunity for better coordination and collaboration between all research groups and farmers.
“Research into big picture items like climate change can transform into benefits for farmers at a local level.
“We need to be able to transfer the research information to farmers so they see the benefits of adopting new technology on their farms,” said Ms Lemerle.
Ms Lemerle sees benefits in research on developing more drought tolerant grain varieties, improving current pasture systems and making mixed farming systems more productive.
Email a friend