AgriFutures Australia

The [Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation] (RIRDC) is a statutory Corporation formed in July 1990 under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development (PIERD) Act 1989.

RIRDC was set up by the Australian Government to work closely with Australian rural industries on the organisation and funding of their research and development (R&D) needs.

RIRDC’s research provides options for producers and communities to increase their profitability and to diversify, by identifying opportunities and helping to manage change. RIRDC was involved in early work on developing canola in Australia, which has gone on to become a crop of up to 2.4 million tonnes a year. RIRDC’s tea tree oil breeding program has produced new varieties with an 80% increase in yield. Research for the tropical fruit industry has seen it expand to more than 400 Australian commercial growers.

RIRDC also provides research and development for established industries. RIRDC R&D has helped improve rice yields by 87% per megalitre while reducing water use by 45%. RIRDC’s chicken meat research led to a new live MG vaccine which holds 40% of that global market and has significantly reduced losses in the industry. RIRDC research has developed three new oaten hay varieties – Wintaroo, Brusher and Kangaroo – which are contributing to an export hay market that has grown by 200% over ten years. RIRDC research and development helps keep these industries at the leading edge of competitiveness and profitability.