❓ A WA parliamentary question examines the productivity and economic viability of trial rice crops in the Ord River region, comparing yields to national averages and questioning processing locations and potential re-importation. The Minister's answer addresses concerns about yield, processing, and future sustainability.
AnsweredQoN 3987Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Minister’s answer to Question without Notice No. 433
on 19 August 2010 from the Member for North West regarding the trial rice crops in the Ord area, including the Minister’s explanation that 1,700 tonnes of rice were grown on 240 hectares of land, or 7.083 tonnes per hectare, and I ask:
(a) can the Minister confirm that this yield is below Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) estimates for rice production in Australia which are 8.71 tonnes per hectare (2008–2009), 10.79 tonnes per hectare (2009–2010), 9.00 tonnes per hectare (2010–2011) and 8.29 tonnes per hectare (five year average);
(b) can the Minister explain why the Ord lands appear on the surface of this information to be less productive than the average for Australia’s other rice growing areas;
(c) can the Minister advise at what total production tonnage will the Ord scheme be economically sustainable for rice production;
(d) can the Minister advise where the rice will be processed;
(e) if the rice is to be processed overseas, as stated by the Minister on 19 August 2010, will the rice be re-imported to Australia; and
(f) if the rice is to be processed overseas and then re-imported to Australia, what quarantine arrangements will be required by Australian authorities?
on 19 August 2010 from the Member for North West regarding the trial rice crops in the Ord area, including the Minister’s explanation that 1,700 tonnes of rice were grown on 240 hectares of land, or 7.083 tonnes per hectare, and I ask:
(a) can the Minister confirm that this yield is below Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) estimates for rice production in Australia which are 8.71 tonnes per hectare (2008–2009), 10.79 tonnes per hectare (2009–2010), 9.00 tonnes per hectare (2010–2011) and 8.29 tonnes per hectare (five year average);
(b) can the Minister explain why the Ord lands appear on the surface of this information to be less productive than the average for Australia’s other rice growing areas;
(c) can the Minister advise at what total production tonnage will the Ord scheme be economically sustainable for rice production;
(d) can the Minister advise where the rice will be processed;
(e) if the rice is to be processed overseas, as stated by the Minister on 19 August 2010, will the rice be re-imported to Australia; and
(f) if the rice is to be processed overseas and then re-imported to Australia, what quarantine arrangements will be required by Australian authorities?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 October 2010
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development
Response time
27 days
(a) Evaluation work is continuing on the 2010 Ord rice yields. With harvesting now completed, final production result is 1440 tonnes . On the basis of the nature of the commercial trials, that incorporated a wide range of trial variables, average yield data does not provide a relevant comparison to full scale commercial production data quoted by ABARE. Some of the ABARE data relates to long established production areas which have recently experienced world record yields. Australia is the world leader in terms of rice crop yields. It is not unusual for first year trial crops, particularly in new growing areas, to yield less than full commercial industry standards. Perfecting variety selection and agronomic practices are key reasons why first year trial crop yields are as quoted.
(b) There is no expectation that rice growing in the Ord will be less productive than elsewhere in Australia. On the contrary, the Ord rice crops in 2010 were commercial scale trials using southern and eastern Australian temperate rice varieties not specifically bred for sub tropical production. The crops were investigating optimal seeding times, seeding rates, sowing techniques and fertilising regimes, in the Ord context. The growers regard the crops as very encouraging and have advised their intention to substantially increase rice cropping in 2011. The rice crops grown in the Ord used around 7 megalitres/ha of water compared to around 12 megalitres /ha for eastern states crops. This efficiency gain and the quicker growth rates of the Ord rice crops are also important production and productivity considerations.
(c) It is expected that rice, based upon the success of the initial commercial trials, will be an important crop in a diversified Ord cropping scenario. The diversity of cropping is expected to change over time, depending upon a range of market and agronomic factors. It is not one crop, but a range of diversified crops that will sustain an expanded Ord Scheme. In relation to the industry's current aspirations with rice, the industry has indicated it seeks to move production over a 2-3 year period to around 10 000 tonnes, and preferably over the 5-7 years to around 50 000 tonnes.
(d) The industry has yet to finalise its commercial rice processing arrangements for future production. The 2010 rice crop was initially processed in Kununurra (de hulled) and then exported via the Wyndham Port, Darwin and Port Moresby to Lae in Papua New Guinea for final processing and consumption in that market.
(e) The rice grown in Kununurra in 2010 has been sold into the Papua New Guinea market for processing and consumption in that market. It is not expected that 2010 Ord rice will be re-imported into Australia. The processing of future Ord rice crops will depend upon market requirements and available processing options.
(f) It is not expected that future Ord rice production would be processed overseas and re-imported into Australia.
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(b) There is no expectation that rice growing in the Ord will be less productive than elsewhere in Australia. On the contrary, the Ord rice crops in 2010 were commercial scale trials using southern and eastern Australian temperate rice varieties not specifically bred for sub tropical production. The crops were investigating optimal seeding times, seeding rates, sowing techniques and fertilising regimes, in the Ord context. The growers regard the crops as very encouraging and have advised their intention to substantially increase rice cropping in 2011. The rice crops grown in the Ord used around 7 megalitres/ha of water compared to around 12 megalitres /ha for eastern states crops. This efficiency gain and the quicker growth rates of the Ord rice crops are also important production and productivity considerations.
(c) It is expected that rice, based upon the success of the initial commercial trials, will be an important crop in a diversified Ord cropping scenario. The diversity of cropping is expected to change over time, depending upon a range of market and agronomic factors. It is not one crop, but a range of diversified crops that will sustain an expanded Ord Scheme. In relation to the industry's current aspirations with rice, the industry has indicated it seeks to move production over a 2-3 year period to around 10 000 tonnes, and preferably over the 5-7 years to around 50 000 tonnes.
(d) The industry has yet to finalise its commercial rice processing arrangements for future production. The 2010 rice crop was initially processed in Kununurra (de hulled) and then exported via the Wyndham Port, Darwin and Port Moresby to Lae in Papua New Guinea for final processing and consumption in that market.
(e) The rice grown in Kununurra in 2010 has been sold into the Papua New Guinea market for processing and consumption in that market. It is not expected that 2010 Ord rice will be re-imported into Australia. The processing of future Ord rice crops will depend upon market requirements and available processing options.
(f) It is not expected that future Ord rice production would be processed overseas and re-imported into Australia.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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