Emerging opportunities for dry land rice farming in Australia
Published on 20 June, 2013
CQUniversity Australia and Australian Agricultural Technology (AAT) Limited are partnering for development of dry land rice opportunities for Queensland growers...
AAT's approach to industry development by harnessing research, development and extension has been ground tested in an initial field evaluation of dry land rice genotypes, during the 2013 season.
Field trials planted during the wet season at Alton Downs, near Rockhampton, show commercial potential for growing dry land rice varieties in Central and North Queensland during the wet season each year.
Some trial varieties recorded yield potential of 6 - 8 ton/ha under dry land conditions, using only rainfall without supplementary irrigation.
AAT CEO and senior agronomist Daryl Young, Chairman James Rush OAM and Financial Advisor Fred Kempson were accompanied by Cang Fenghua (who represented their major Chinese Investment Group New Margin Ventures), when they visited CQUniversity Rockhampton Campus on June 15.
AAT board members and CQUni researchers led by Dr Surya Bhattarai visited trial sites and growers. After a series of discussions, the visitors have agreed to expand these earlier findings to more growers in CQ and North Queensland in forthcoming seasons, to turn these dry land rice opportunities into commercial realities.
For the day-long meeting, the AAT team was welcomed to the University by senior management including Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman, Deputy VC Professor Hilary Winchester and Foundation Professor of Plant Sciences David Midmore.
Both the investment group and CQUni management have a shared vision and put forward their commitment for developing the rice industry for Queensland.
The AAT team and Chinese delegates visited Rockhampton Campus to familiarise themselves with the CQUniversity research team and facilities, to observe the current status of the dry land rice research program, and to discuss future collaboration and funding for dry land rice research at the University.
More research on crop agronomy, grain quality and adaption of these genotypes in both dry and wet tropics of Queensland will be carried out before large scale expansion of this crop for commercial production.
Both AAT and CQUniversity have expressed willingness to expand joint research and further cooperation on a wide range of agricultural enterprises which have potential for Queensland crop opportunities.
CQUniversity's Centre for Plant and Water Sciences and the research and industry partners are optimistic about future cooperation and expect to sign a contract to initiate rice research.
Industry, Uni and grower reps meet in the field to evaluate crop performance and harvesting options 
VC Scott Bowman addresses the meeting of the dry land rice group 
Meetings were held to support the project