Export Fodder

Key components of the program

Key components of this program include further developing the Oaten Hay Breeding program, continuing to grow hay production, and ensuring that export fodder meets importing country requirements with regards to chemical residue.

About the industry

Export fodder includes a wide range of crop and pasture species that are grown, harvested and lightly processed for both on-farm use and export. Export fodder production includes hay and silage of all types (pasture, cereal, lucerne, clover and others), chaff (coarsely chopped dried whole plants), vetch and pelletised feed.

Around one third of all Australian commercial scale farms (38,000 properties) make hay each year.

For more than 25 years, the Australian export fodder industry has supplied forage to countries around the world. Key export markets include Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan.

Swinging production volume trends and volatility in weather during curing and storage from season to season places an emphasis on research and development to address the risks and provide mitigation measures for farmers. The industry has focused strongly on addressing market requirements, establishing new markets and developing a high quality product.

Funding

In 2016, the Australian government approved an Export Fodder R&D Levy of $0.50/tonne on all exported fodder to support ongoing research and development. The program is funded by statutory levies paid by industry participants. Up to half of program expenditure, including R&D expenditure, is matched by the Australian Government at up to 0.5% of industry GVP.

Industry Advisory Panel 

AgriFutures Australia is committed to working with industry to deliver research and development outcomes. We work in partnership with advisory panels to decide on research priorities and to make investment decisions each year.

RD&E plan

The RD&E objectives were developed by the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) in consultation with fodder exporters. As the entire fodder industry derives a benefit from industry research and development, the domestic industry is a valuable end-user of the program.

The consultation process to establish the Export Fodder R&D Levy took place during 2014 and 2015 and included industry meetings and workshops, a communications and awareness campaign, online information and the dissemination of discussion papers outlining the levy process.

The Export Fodder RD&E objectives for 2016-2021 include:

• Oaten Hay Breeding program
• Hay agronomy
• Chemical usage integrity
• Fodder analysis
• Animal nutrition research
• Biosecurity research
• Work health and safety.

Contact

John Smith
Program Manager, Research and Innovation
0437 179 359
John.Smith@agrifutures.com.au