The Australian rice industry's commitment to research and development has become universally recognised as a key element in its many successes. That tradition is set to continue and flourish through the additional support of the Rice CRC.The Centre is breaking down barriers to increased productivity and profitability across the breadth of the rice industry.

crc.rice@agric.nsw.gov.au | Contact Details

What sets the Rice CRC apart and sets extremely high value on its work is its emphasis on ensuring overall sustainability a crucial outcome for any agricultural industry. It is approaching that task by using the intellectual resources of some of the nation's peak R&D organisations to target five main program areas:

crc.rice@agric.nsw.gov.au | Contact Details

Dr Liz Humphreys (CSIRO Land & Water), Rice CRC Program 1 Leader

The regional and national importance of the rice industry and the long-term ponding of irrigation water for rice culture present unique challenges to management for environmental sustainability. The research outcomes of Rice CRC Program 1 will contribute to the sustainability and profitability of the rice industry by providing the ability to identify sustainable management systems at the paddock, farm and regional scales and the implementation of methods to reduce net recharge of watertables, prevent salinisation, increase water use efficiency and improve drainage water quality.

Research Literature | liz.humphreys@csiro.au | Contact Details

During the life of the Rice CRC, Program 2 will increase our understanding of the mechanism operating in the soil, plant and biological environment which can be manipulated to raise grain yield and quality with minimal impact on the whole environment. Program 2 research is designed to deliver more grain yield per kilogram of applied nitrogen; better returns to growers in cold years; nutrient management strategies to produce high yield and marketable grain quality; and environmentally-friendly weed control.

Research Literature | gbatten@csu.edu.au | Contact Details

In collaboration with Program 2 we are using cellular and molecular techniques to investigate the basis for cold sensitivity - a major limitation on yield in Australia - and using those genes to improve cold tolerance. We aim to improve salt tolerance, growth relative to weeds and quality attributes. The combination of traditional breeding and new molecular techniques should provide powerful methods for tackling problems affecting sustainability and provide higher yielding cultivars of superior quality which are better suited to our environment.

Research Literature | liz.dennis@csiro.au | Contact Details

Mr David Welch (SunRice), Rice CRC Program 4 Leader

Ricegrowers' Co-operative Ltd (t/as SunRice) strives to continually improve its products and methods of operation. This change process is supported by Rice CRC research. We are improving the whole processing chain including product uniformity at receival; better and more sustainable pest control; better processing techniques; and new and improved products. Rice CRC research has already delivered in all these areas, providing invaluable support to a robust and innovative industry.

Research Literature | dwelch@sunrice.com.au | Contact Details

Dr Phillip Eberbach (Charles Sturt University), Rice CRC Program 5 Leader

Efficient and effective information transfer processes are vital in guaranteeing the rapid adoption of new information by users such as farmers. Program 5 has been developed to assist the rice growing community by enhancing the transfer of information relevant to growers and food processors; to research more effective methods to transfer information to stakeholders and the socio-economic impact of rice growing; and to provide rice relevant educational opportunities for growers and students.

Research Literature | peberbach@csu.edu.au | Contact Details