| |
Australian
Agribusiness Review
Volume 6 - 1998
ISSN
1442-6951
Information?
or the Editors
Network
Paper 1
Industry
Opinions And Development Issues Relating To Feral Goats
Terry K. Elliott and Keith B. Woodford
Abstract
Feral goats are the major source of
Australian-produced goat meat and associated by-products. Commercial
harvesting is also the main method of controlling Australia’s feral goat
populations. A qualitative survey of seven major processor/exporters found
that these organisations believe that there are insufficient goats available
to meet strong overseas demand, that Australia should manage its feral goats
as a resource as well as a pest, and that Asian markets have the greatest
potential. Subsequent in-market investigations in Taiwan, Malaysia and
Singapore indicated that feral goat meat sells in these markets at a premium
over mutton and at similar prices to lamb, but at a major discount compared
to local goat products. Importers believe that failure to meet product
specifications is a contributing factor. The paper discusses the effects on
industry development of a perceived lack of industry legitimacy that stems
from feral goats being regarded as a pest rather than a resource. The study
also identifies some commercially focused R&D priorities. |
Paper
2
Patterns
Of Meat Consumption: Some Australian Evidence
Christine E. Storer , Geoffrey N. Soutar,
Murray H. Hawkins
Abstract
A study of Perth metropolitan consumers
was undertaken to provide insights into meat consumption patterns. Current
meat use patterns are described, as well as the meat benefits sought by
shoppers. The market was segmented based on meat use patterns and eight
segments were found that were labelled ‘light meat eaters’, ‘moderate
meat eaters’, ‘beef eaters’, ‘white meat eaters’, ‘lamb eaters’,
‘chicken eater’, ‘heavy meat eaters’ and ‘mutton eaters’ in order
of size. Differences in the lifestyle, demographic and socio-economic
characteristics of the segments were examined and their marketing
implications were considered. |
Paper
3
Growing
Plants, Evolving Rights: Plant Variety Rights in Australia
David Godden
Abstract
The recent and likely future evolution
of the plant breeding and seeds industry in Australia is analysed in this
paper. The context for this analysis is the enactment of Australian
legislation for intellectual property rights in new plant varieties in 1987.
A necessary preliminary to this analysis is a description of how plant
breeders develop new plant varieties, and the conditions under which
commercial plant breeding is profitable in the absence of intellectual
property rights such as Plant Variety Rights (PVR). Such investigations also
require an understanding of the conditions of seed production in Australia.
This preliminary analysis also helps explain, conversely, the historical
predominance of public plant breeding in Australia. Against this background
is explained the evolution of PVR from a 1960s idea to 1980s reality.
The effect of PVR legislation on plant breeding in Australia is examined via
statistics on actual grants of PVR from the inception of the scheme. However,
prior to enactment of PVR in Australia, it was predicted that such
legislation would not create plant property rights that were sufficiently
effective to promote significantly greater plant breeding investment. Thus
amendments in 1994 to the original PVR Act, ostensibly for consistency with
the international PVR convention, reflected the industry’s desire to
strengthen commercial private plant breeding. Finally, recent advances in
molecular biology have implications for future plant breeding techniques and
the opportunities for commercial plant breeding. Some predictions are made as
to possible future developments in PVR to accommodate these scientific
advances. |
Paper
4
Opportunities
For Lecithin Production in Australia
David Lambourne and Geoff Covey - Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Melbourne
Abstract
Australia imports approximately 2500
tonnes of lecithin annually, the majority of which is used in the food
industry. This paper investigates the opportunities for producing lecithin in
Australia. This is performed by examination of the current lecithin market in
combination with an analysis of the feasibility of supplying this market with
locally produced lecithin. The results indicate that while margarine and
chocolate manufacturers are the largest consumer of lecithin imports, the
present growth in lecithin demand is being driven by increased milk powder
exports. Australia has the raw materials to supply the domestic and regional
export markets. However, the feasibility of manufacturing it in Australia
will be dependent upon the ability to use canola lecithin as a substitute for
existing soy lecithin imports. |
Paper
5
The
Demand for Seed Potatoes in South East Asia
Peter J. Batt, Senior Lecturer, Horticulture,
Curtin University of Technology, Perth
Abstract
Over the last five years, it is
apparent that the potential to export Australian seed potatoes to markets in
South East Asia has received considerable attention from both Government and
the private sector. No fewer than four DPIE Agribusiness Programs have been
dedicated to expanding the market and improving the performance of Australian
seed potato exports. A recent seed potato industry workshop sponsored by the
HRDC, has established research and development priorities for both the
domestic and export industry, with several research projects already underway
to address some of the impediments raised. |
Paper
6
EAAU’s
Reporting of Agriculture and Food Distribution in Asia’s Megamarket: Does
it Really Meet the Needs of Business, the Government and Academics?
Paul Riethmuller, Senior Lecturer Department
of Economics, University of Queensland, St Lucia
Abstract
Australia's share of Japan's food and
live animal import market has been pressured by competition from the USA,
China and the ASEAN countries. Questions have been asked about Australia's
approach to the Japanese market and level of understanding of its
agricultural market and its distribution system. The 1997 report by the East
Asia Analytical Unit (EAAU) had the opportunity to contribute to Australian
knowledge of this part of the Japanese economy. It is questionable whether
the report makes any contribution of substance in these areas. |
Paper
7
Book
Review - Agriculture in Australia - an Introduction
Bill Malcolm, Peter Sale, Adrian Egan. Oxford
University Press, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1996, pp 472. ISBN 019
553695-09 |
Paper
8
Book
Review - Food Marketing: An international perspective
Schaffner, D.J., Schroder, W.R. and Earle. M.D.
(1998) WCB McGraw Hill, Boston. Pp487. IBSN 0 07 057206-2 |
Paper
9
On
Advancing Australian Trade, Investment and Commercial Opportunities in China:
Lessons from Wool Trade
Colin G. Brown, Senior Lecturer, School of
Natural and Rural Systems Management, Hartley Teakle Building, The University
of Queensland
Abstract
Few markets offer so much yet pose
such challenges to Australia’s agricultural industries as does China.
Australian industries, firms and trade negotiators have not coped well with
the chaotic import and investment channels and with the policy gyrations.
Drawing on the case of wool, so dominant in overall Sino-Australian trade and
relations, the paper argues that only with a better understanding of Chinese
problems and policies will the full potential of Sino-Australian trade be
realised. As other key agricultural industries in Australia gear up on the
Chinese market, they need to heed some of the hard-learnt lessons experienced
by the wool industry. |
Paper
10
Resource
Use Conflicts in A Multi-User Environment: Land Assignment in the Australian
Sugar Industry
Thilak Mallawaarachchi CSIRO
Tropical Agriculture & CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production
Abstract
The Australian sugar industry has
expanded rapidly since 1991. In spite of progressive policy changes, sugar
industry remains highly regulated. The land assignment system that governs
the industry expansion allocates production quotas. This complex process
includes trade-off decisions among economic, environmental and social
objectives, and is therefore prone to resource use conflicts. Mutually
acceptable solutions to resolve conflicts that surround cane land assignment
have important implications for the economic viability of the industry, the
ecological integrity of natural resources, and the well being of regional
communities. |
Paper
11
Income
Strata and Meat Demand in Urban China
Haiou Cai, Colin Brown, Guanghua Wan and John
Longworth,
School of Natural and Rural Systems Management, University of Queensland, St.
Lucia Campus.
Abstract
Rising meat consumption in China has
focussed attention not only on China's livestock and grain policies, but also
on its impact on international markets for meat and grain. Yet little is
known about meat consumption in China. An LA-AIDS model employing purchase
data segmented by income class is used to identify price and income
elasticities for different groups of Chinese consumers. The magnitude of own
price and income elasticities for ruminant meat exceeds the corresponding
elasticities for pork and poultry. However, the response to own price and
income changes is compounded by the interaction between household income and
meat group. |
Paper
12
The
Value of Barley Protein in Livestock Feeding in Queensland
Jyothi V Gali, Colin Brown, and Malcolm
Wegener
Abstract
The impact of protein content of feed
barley in the diets of beef , dairy cattle and pig in Queensland is
evaluated. A model based on the least cost feed ration analyzes the marginal
value of additional protein content in feed barley for different liveweights
of animals. The results indicate that higher protein levels in feed barley
generally have a low feed value to livestock feeders. Therefore, efforts to
improve market arrangements by introducing premiums for higher protein in the
feed barley market would not seem desirable even with the present expansion
of feedlots and their perceived need for quality grains in Queensland. |
Paper
13
A
Review of the Albacore Tuna Fishery in the South Pacific
Chris Lightfoot, Consultant economist
based in Melbourne
This paper has been prepared from information gathered
during a consultancy undertaken by Chris Lightfoot and Chris Friberg on
behalf of the Forum Fisheries Agency.
Abstract
Over the past twenty years the
international albacore (Thunnus alalunga) fishery has declined in
importance relative to other tuna fisheries. The Japanese and the South
Korean fleets have virtually left the fishery and the composition of the
Taiwan fleet is changing from specialist albacore longliners to dual purpose
frozen sashimi/albacore vessels. The remaining specialist albacore longliners
are old, inefficient and barely covering their direct costs of operation. The
newer Taiwan vessels are making slightly better returns, principally due to
having ultra low temperature freezers that enable them to switch between the
albacore and frozen sashimi fisheries. The newer vessels are also larger and
can stay at sea for much longer periods. As a result the Taiwan fleet is
moving into the high seas where albacore are an international common
property. This means the vessels do not have to pay access fees or
conform to management controls. The change in structure and operating
patterns means that the island states have little control over the fishery
and therefore are unlikely to earn significant rents from its exploitation. |
Paper
14
Consumer
Attitudes To Hydroponic Produce in Western Australia
Peter J. Batt and Allen M S Lim, Muresk
Institute of Agriculture, Western Australia
Abstract
Consumers prefer produce grown without
chemicals. While it is apparent that many consumers are confused between the
benefits of hydroponic and organic produce, the majority of consumers are
able to differentiate between the use and application of chemical fertilisers
and the use of chemical pesticides. Consumers believe hydroponic produce is
cleaner, fresher and tastes better than conventionally grown produce. To
maintain consumer sovereignty, hydroponic growers should make every effort to
restrict the use of chemical pesticides. |
Paper
15
The
Importance of Labels on Apples: Who Really Benefits?
Peter J. Batt and Cara Sadler, Muresk
Institute of Agriculture, Western Australia
Abstract
Retailers, in particular the large
supermarket chains, appear to be the driving force behind growers labelling
apples. By labelling apples with the variety name, check-out staff can more
readily identify the variety and thus minimise the errors made in correctly
pricing fruit at the check-out. However, the majority of participants
throughout the fresh fruit marketing chain do not use the labels on fruit to
assist in the selection of apples. Furthermore, the majority of growers,
agents, retailers and consumers, do not believe that labelled apples are any
indication of superior quality. |
|
|