Dr Ian Davidge AO
Chairman, Rice CRC
The Second Year Review of the Centre, conducted in November and December, 1999 was of extreme importance, providing a clear gauge of our development. The results of the Cooperative Research Centres Secretariat's Review were pleasing and indicated the Rice CRC was significantly in advance of comparable Centres at a similar stage of development.
We are indebted to the Review Panel whose professionalism and experienced evaluation of all participants during the Review was balanced by great courtesy and kindness. I was particularly proud of our researchers and students, who clearly demonstrated a commitment to the Centre and an understanding of the importance of the Australian Rice Industry and the value of quality research. The Review Panel's reported observations support this view.
Having successfully fulfilled the requirements of the initial development period, our focus must now be on bringing existing projects to maturity. We must continue to reassess and question the relevance of our research: to support an inappropriate or unproductive research effort would be a major failure.
The Rice CRC, with sustainability as the driver for its research, can legitimately act as a provider of the kind of balanced and robust scientific data on which industry management and legislative decision must be based.
Indeed, the absolute necessity for equitable and sustainable natural resource use means it is incumbent upon the Centre to ensure the knowledge it generates is taken up by policy makers and administrators.
As the CRC consolidates, it is pleasing to see the development of genuine cooperative research between the Universities, NSW Agriculture, CSIRO and the other major participators. The harmonious relationship between the Centre's research programs and the research being carried out by RIRDC-funded initiatives indicates the huge potential of rice and irrigation research.
We remain particularly cautious with regard to the application of genetically modified organism (GMO) research by this CRC. There are no artificially modified rice varieties being grown in Australia and until there is unequivocal public acceptance of the principle of GMOs, the rice industry will not risk any adverse market reaction. However, it would be unwise not to remain at the forefront of research in this area. By so doing we will be correctly positioned to respond swiftly should any competitor using this technology emerge.
The survival of primary production, particularly over the past 40 years, has been inextricably linked to increases in productivity. There are great dangers if the rice industry does not continue to seek to maintain its momentum in this regard. In this way rising costs can be offset and water usage per tonne reduced. On an industry basis it is important that total production remains in the 1.3 to 1.5 million tonnes range. This will help safeguard markets and the industry's commercial security and ensure the huge grower investment in capital, both on-farm and in mills and storage, can be maintained and serviced.
The professionalism of our Centre's Board and Management Committee is instrumental in maintaining stability and I am indeed privileged to be able to act as Chairman of this forthright, concerned and talented group.
Much of the credit for the strong position this CRC occupies must go to its Director, Dr Laurie Lewin. The great respect in which he is held is transmitted throughout our organisation. Dr Lewin thoroughly deserves the admiration and support he has from all of us.
The appointment of Mr Michael Cook as Communications Officer has given us a great lift. Michael is an experienced journalist and has an ability to understand the needs and objectives of research. He is most energetic and I am confident his talents will be used to great effect. Ms Julie Symes and Mr Gordon Hart continue to be great assets to the CRC, combining to ensure that the output and performance of the Centre remains within the guidelines set for us.
I also wish to thank Yanco Agricultural Institute, particularly Mr Geoff Creek and his staff for the frequent special assistance from staff and the use of facilities.
In conclusion, I have been greatly pleased to be involved in the establishment of a Chair of Irrigation at Charles Sturt University. This Chair would not have been created without the generous support of the rice industry through Ricegrowers' Co-operative Limited. Meeting the challenges of intensifying debate over water usage and the future of irrigation - the rice industry in particular - will depend on the scientific veracity and objective research from this new Chair. I am confident the industry's investment in this Chair will return great dividends.
Ian Davidge, AO
Chairman
Dr Laurie Lewin,
Director, Rice CRC
This report marks the conclusion of the third year of the Rice CRC. It has been a privilege to have been associated with the establishment of this organisation, to witness the development of the new and exciting research programs and the induction of new participants into the world of rice research, technology transfer and education.
The 2nd Year review was held in two stages on 25, 26 & 27 October, 1999 and 1 & 2 December, 1999. It was generally a positive experience and supported the direction of the Rice CRC. Main recommendations arising from the review were:-
The Board supported these recommendations and is moving to remedy the deficiencies that were highlighted as a result of the review. Sub-Program 1.3 is now fully operational and being provided by CSIRO Land and Water.
I am always impressed when members of the Rice CRC get together. The Symposium in August, 1999 was particularly worthwhile. It summarised the work of the CRC and provided an excellent opportunity for all members to mix with those from other programs. There was a good "feeling" about the symposium and I am sure it was enjoyed by all.
A further opportunity was provided by the "Chairman's Tour". This was designed as an industry awareness tour with a visit to RCL, a rice farm, Coleambally Irrigation and the Annual Rice Field Day. The tour once again facilitated interaction between CRC participants while achieving its objective of industry awareness.
There were also many program meetings throughout the year. Some were general meetings to refine projects while others were more specifically aimed at particular subjects. The enthusiasm and dedication of participants at these meetings was obvious and this augurs well for the future of the CRC.
The third year of the Rice CRC was one of consolidation when the projects were becoming well established and beginning to produce results.
Significant progress has been made in many of the projects of Program 1. This Program is a key component of the CRC as progress in this area is vital to sustainability of the industry.
Management of watertables is being studied in various projects. Better classification of soil suitability through understanding the impact of sodicity or electro magnetic induction (EM31) readings will minimise recharge. Better modelling of recharge and discharge in CRC projects will also help maintain watertables, both locally and regionally. Use of the Standard Precipitation Index to classify years will assist with explaining the variation of watertable movements over years. These projects are being supplemented by understanding the importance of crops following rice on depth to watertable and the significance of different irrigation techniques to modify rice water use.
Management of salinity is also important in sustainability of the rice industry. Projects on modelling salinity movement both locally and regionally were supplemented by a workshop to highlight key research areas.
Other important projects in this area focused on bioremediation of pesticide residues and analysis of invertebrate biodiversity in response to rice growing management techniques.
Sustainability can also be enhanced through production systems that specifically address key areas. The development of a rice soil test to predict nitrogen requirement has been a long held objective of rice research. An effective test would guarantee reliable production while minimising over use of nitrogen fertiliser. Significant progress was made towards development of such a test during the year. Other projects evaluated soil property changes in response to rice growing and the influence of soil nutrition on value of the rice grain.
Bio-herbicides and manipulating allelopathy both have the potential to reduce herbicide use in the longer term. One project also studied the impact of herbicides on aquatic invertebrates to determine downstream effects of their use.
The projects related to studies of cold tolerance in rice were an excellent example of cooperation between disparate groups and disciplines to solve a significant problem. Low minimum temperatures during the January/February rice reproductive period have a significant impact on rice yields. Commercial average grain yield was reduced by around 1 tonne/ha by cold during the 1999/2000 rice season. Varieties have been identified that have significantly better tolerance to cold and there has been progress towards understanding the nitrogen x cold interaction. Significantly greater cold tolerance will be required if the deep flood system of rice production is to be changed. To achieve this objective, some Rice CRC projects have made significant progress in understanding cold response at the cellular, protein and genetic level.
Development of rice microspore and detached organ culture are techniques to assist with plant breeding and cold tolerance research. The progress in these areas during the year was also pleasing.
Recent advances in understanding rice quality - particularly starch structure, will allow more rapid development of improved varieties and products.
It has also been very pleasing to note the improvements in rice processing techniques - particularly in defining grain quality at receival and computer control of processing. The development of new rice products and methods for vitamin and nutrient enrichment will undoubtedly add to the profitability of the industry.
Education is a cornerstone of the long-term future of the industry. Development of skills-based training, along with undergraduate training in CRC projects is the first coordinated attempt to lift the rice education profile in Australia. This has been supplemented by an active postgraduate training program. This is certainly one of the most pleasing achievements of the CRC as it has traditionally been a neglected area in the rice research and development program.
The appointment of Mr Michael Cook as full-time Communications Officer was an excellent initiative. It has raised the profile and quality of both internal and external communications within the CRC and contributed to the sense of unity.
The year has seen an improvement in the operational aspects of the CRC. The Board has become a more stable team and is now operating effectively to provide strategic direction. I am particularly grateful to the members of the Board for their skill and commitment in guiding our progress.
Program Leaders have taken on greater responsibility for management during the year. While this has added to their workload, it has meant more effective Program development.
The Management Committee, made up of the Program Leaders and representatives of other key organisations, has been very significant in managing the direction of the CRC. This committee is now operating as an effective and cohesive group.
Mr Jim Miller, the CRC Visitor, has provided very important guidance, particularly during the review process. I believe we have been very fortunate in having Jim as our Visitor. Similarly, Mrs Heather Carswell (our CRC contact officer) has provided us with very valuable advice during the year. Heather will not be continuing as our contact officer so we wish her every success in the future.
The administrative team of Mr Gordon Hart and Ms Julie Symes has had a difficult task in guiding the CRC. Their input is invaluable to maintaining effective administration, creating a sense of unity and ensuring accountability.
I am particularly grateful for the input of Dr Ian Davidge, Chairman of the CRC. His contributions have exceeded those expected of Chairman and he is certainly instrumental in guiding the direction of the CRC. His award of Doctor of Applied Science (honoris causa) from Charles Sturt University was certainly well deserved. I can think of no more worthy a recipient.
It is the sum total of the participants of the Rice CRC that will ensure the success of this organisation. I am always impressed by the skill, aptitude, enthusiasm and dedication of the group. I know that, with their continued input, the sustainability of the Australian rice industry will be ensured.
Laurie Lewin,
Director
