Sustainable agriculture and food production
The current and proposed research programs of AMRDC can be broken down
into industry sectors as follows:
- Efficient broadacre farming machinery
- Efficient vineyard and plantation machinery
- Efficient post harvest and food processing machinery
- Examples of work AMRDC has been involved in
- Machinery for agriculture
Efficient broadacre farming machinery
Australia produces 37.2million tonnes of grain crops valued at
$10.2billion, $7.5b of which are acquired from export markets (Source: GRDC
Grain Yearbook 2003 C 2001 figures). For grain cropping farmers, machinery
is the key to economies of scale. Australia has a core machinery
manufacturing sector producing tillage implements, spray equipment and grain
handling machinery. The industry is characterised by a few larger companies
($3-20 million p.a.) and many small regional companies (<$3million p.a.).
The manufacturers are typified by putting into production farmer
developments but do not spend large R&D efforts for product development.
Whilst farmers desire new and improved equipment, their representative
research bodies are loath to fund engineering developments as they see this
the realm of manufacturers.
However AMRDC has developed several areas of work as follows:
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Seeding systems for sustainable farming in Mallee 1999-2005. A collaborative project with the Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc. and supported by CSIRO, with funding from the GRDC. Led by Dr Desbiolles, the project component is evaluating seeding machinery factors influencing crop productivity in low rainfall light Mallee soil conditions.
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Sustainable farming practices for Southern Yorke Peninsula 2000-2006. Funded by the SA Grains Industry Trust, this project is led by Dr Desbiolles and involves collaboration with the University of Adelaide and the Yorke Peninsula Alkaline Soils Group. It aims to evaluate seeding machinery factor interactions with weed/crop dynamics in alkaline soils and under medium rainfall conditions.
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No-till seeding technologies for heavy clay soils 2003-2006. Funded by the SA Grains Industry Trust, this project is led by Dr Desbiolles and involves collaboration with the Wolseley agricultural Bureau Branch. It aims to evaluate no-till seeding technologies and develop suitable strategies for operation in sticky clay soils and under high rainfall conditions, as part of conservation farming practices.
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Harvest solutions for quality grain 2000-2005. Funded by the GRDC in collaboration with the Yorke Peninsula Alkaline Soils Group. This project led by Dr Desbiolles is developing and evaluating modifications to grain harvesters able to minimise or control snail contamination of harvested grain. Snail pests pose a significant threat to the adoption of sustainable cropping practices such as no-till farming in increasing areas of Southern Australia.
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Improved machinery design for Horwood Bagshaw 1997-2003. Led by Assoc Prof Fielke and funded by Horwood Bagshaw. This project is developing and expanding the range of seeding and tillage machines offered for sale by Horwood Bagshaw. Developments have been for larger machines and various configurations for wheels to suit changing farming methods.
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Improved share design for Agpoint. Contract design and testing of shares and coatings.
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Seeding system issues in no-till farming research extension workshops held by Dr Desbiolles in Cereal growing regions of SA, Vic and NSW.
Efficient vineyard and plantation machinery
Australia has a growing wine and
horticulture industry. Australia has developed mechanised grape harvesting and
exports its technology worldwide. A constraint of the vineyard industry is
efficient use of water and nutrients in the soil. AMRDC has recognised and has
been developing energy efficient soil loosening and ameliorant application
equipment for vineyard and orchard use.
ISST has the opportunity to expand the preliminary work and increase its
collaboration with soil scientists and agronomists to develop new technologies
and understanding to the mechanical manipulation of soils to improve water and
nutrient use.
Opportunities also exist for the mechanisation of spray and harvest operations:
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Development of an energy efficient deep ripper for vineyards 2000-2004. Led by Mr Slattery includes the development of the ripper for commercialisation and evaluation in vineyards, with funding from SENRAC, GWRDC, Adelaide based Kubpower and Demill Engineering.
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Improved catching of grapes in grape harvester 2000-2001. Led by Assoc Prof Fielke and funded by Schmardt Harvesting, the project is improving on their patented system. The project has involved a French work experience student.
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Improved vineyard sprayer 2000-2001. Led by Dr Desbiolles and Mr Burge the project is funded by Graduate Based Training program and Kubpower. AMRDC has been providing testing services to the project.
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Development of a mechanised sprayer for oil palm plantations. 1999-2003. Led by Dr Desbiolles this project is funded through AusIndustry R&D Start grant and working with Riverland based industry partner Enviromist Industries Pty Ltd to develop a mechanised option for the weed control around the base of oil palm trees in plantation context. A developed prototype is currently in Malaysia awaiting in-country trials when climatic and political conditions permit.
Efficient post harvest and food processing machinery
Food processing is a major
industry for Australia whilst post harvest processing is an industry with
the potential to grow with the development of new technologies.
ISST has the opportunity to
develop the processing of commodities for which AMRDC has already had links
with the production such as grains and grapes.
Opportunities exist in the optimisation of grain handling, reduction in
cross contamination, measurement of quality, improved handling and
processing machinery. These can lead to reduced costs and losses and
improved quality.
Examples of work AMRDC has been involved in
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Development of machinery to split legumes 1998-2001. Initially led by Dr Moser and subsequently by Mr Sharma this project aimed to develop improved machinery to split legumes with reduced levels of damage. The project funded by GRDC developed processing machinery and specified grain conditioning which will allow 5% extra recovery of product and virtually scratch free spilt grains (currently 80% of grain is scratched).
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Sultanas cap-stemming 1998-2003. A PhD study is being undertaken by Mariana Cioba to understand the process of cap-stemming of sultanas. It is being supported by the DFRDC.
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Automation of NIR sensing of grape quality 2001-2003. Led by Mr Slattery this Orlando funded project aims to automate presentation of grape samples to an NIR sensor during the receival process of grapes to the winery. Work in 2003 will lead to development of a semi-automated version.
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Development of Soil Processing Laboratory. Development work led by Mr Slattery is being undertaken for SARDI to automate their laboratory for testing of soil samples for plant and soil diseases.
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Improved Dry Grape Processing 2002-2003. Development work by Assoc Prof Fielke to assist Sunbeam Foods (formerly Mildura Co-op.) with improved processing methodologies that utilise previously develop dried grape processing technology.
Machinery for agriculture
In addition to the above industry specific developments AMRDC has been involved with the following aspects:
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Development of new land forming machinery 2001-2003. Led by Assoc Prof Fielke this Horwood Bagshaw funded project is developing a new generation of tractor drawn land levelling machinery (grader scraper) to replace the current 20 year old machine.
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Improved traction for 2 wheel steer 4WD vehicles 2002-2004. A PhD study is being undertaken by Bernie Besselink to improve two-wheel drive tractive performance using an integrated steering and drive system. Tests are being undertaken using a modified Zero Turn Radius lawnmower.
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Cavpower. 1996 - 2003 AMRDC has undertaken design and certification of tractor modifications for Cavpower. This work continues on an ad-hoc basis.
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Expert witness. 2000- 2003 AMRDC expertise is being called upon for dispute resolution. A flyer was sent to many legal firms in SA and interstate to promote AMRDC's capabilities. Cases have been undertaken by Assoc Prof Fielke and Dr Desbiolles.