Australian fodder research is funded through a mix of RIRDC funds and a voluntary levy on both domestic and export cereal hays.
The RIRDC Fodder Crops Program invests about $400,000 annually to research into:
• Breeding new fodder crop varieties – particularly oaten and vetch hay
• Fodder crop disease, nutrition, weed and pest management
• Fodder harvesting, processing and transport technology and policy
• Improved fodder quality – ensuring Australian fodder meets market expectations
• The impact of climate change and potential biosecurity threats on fodder production.
The largest current area of investment is focused on oaten hay breeding.