 |
|
|
|
|
Horse R&D Plan 2006 to 2011
Also
available as a downloadable PDF dcoument (650k)
RIRDC is committed to the development of Five Year Plans for each of its Research and Development Programs in keeping with the Corporation’s Five Year Strategic Business Plan, and the National and Rural Research Priorities.
The Australian horse industry is both diverse and expanding with many benefits to be gained in all sectors of the industry from high calibre targeted research. Since the release of the last Research and Development Plan for the horse industry in 2001, the number of horses registered by the Equestrian Federation of Australia has increased by 59%, and the number of Federation members has increased by 22%. As at 30 July 2006 there were 61,819 registered members of pony clubs across Australia. In addition to the now globally competitive thoroughbred breeding and racing sector, this indicates an ongoing capacity to adopt the results of RIRDC research and development in an industry that contributes more than $6.3 billion to GDP.
This Five-Year Plan builds on the outcomes of a stakeholder meeting conducted in early 2006 and wide ranging consultation within the horse industry to determine the key issues and priorities for research support. The Plan identifies key objectives for investment and areas for future consideration, detailing the agreed strategic research and development needs that RIRDC will pursue in partnership with industry.
The production of this plan was funded through industry revenue which was matched by funds provided by the Australian Government.
This R&D Plan an addition
to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1500 publications, and part of our Horse
Research and Development Program, aims to assist in protecting the Australian
horse industry and building and developing its future.
| Peter O’Brien
Managing Director RIRDC |
Jane Vincent
Chairperson RIRDC Horse R&D Advisory Committee |
This is the third Five Year Research and Development (R&D) Plan for Australia’s equine industry. The first Five Year R&D Plan of the RIRDC Horse Program was developed in 1995–96 following the Program’s establishment in 1995. The second R&D plan, developed in 2001, covered 2002–2006. This plan builds on the previous plans with a focus on the areas of R&D that are of greatest potential value to Australia’s horse industry and where there are capabilities to provide high quality R&D.
Preparation
of the Plan
The R&D plan was developed
in a workshop with key stakeholders, industry representatives and members
of the RIRDC Equine R&D Advisory Committee. The workshop held in Sydney
on 24 February 2006 was facilitated by Dr Jenny Gordon of the Centre for
International Economics (CIE). The key questions discussed at the workshop
were:
Overview
of the R&D Plan
The vision and mission for
the Horse R&D Program have continued to be both inspirational and durable
and, following review, are considered still to serve the Program well.
They therefore remain unchanged from the two previous five year plans.
The five objectives for the 2006-2011 Plan have the capacity to meet the
Vision
of the Horse Program and deliver on Mission outcomes.
Contribution
to RIRDC outcome areas
RIRDC has an overarching
goal of maximising the return across the triple bottom line of its investments.
It has five main outcome areas as set out in the Primary Industries
and Energy Research and Development Act 1989 (the PIERD Act) and as
directed in the government research priorities. The Horse Program is in
RIRDC’s Established Industries portfolio, of which the objective is:
To facilitate a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector
National
research priorities
The national research priorities
and the contribution the Plan makes to these priorities are set out below.
An environmentally sustainable
Australia
Under Objective 4, the Plan
has strategies designed to identify and reduce the impact of the horse
industry on the environment. A major strategy has been the production of
an environmental management system (EMS) and self audit kit for the horse
keeping community. A further strategy is aimed at developing products and/or
methods for parasite control to address the problem of the increasing resistance
and threat posed to the environment by using ever higher doses of de-wormers.
Promoting and maintaining
good health
All of the Plan’s objectives
make a major contribution to improving the health and welfare of the horse.
Objective 4 includes a strategy on safety of riders and workers in Australia’s
horse industry, while Objective 2 on training has substantial impact on
rider as well as animal safety.
Frontier technologies
for building and transforming Australian industries
All of the five objectives,
and the first three in particular, encourage the use of new and novel technologies
in pursuit of the desired outcomes. The scope for frontier technologies
is particularly strong in breeding and in disease prevention and treatment.
Safeguarding Australia
A major focus of Objective
1 is prevention and preparedness to address an outbreak of any invasive,
principally endemic, pests or diseases.
The five objectives of the Plan, and associated research, will meet on an individual basis either one or more of the rural research priorities set out below.
The Australian horse industry is a multi-disciplined industry. It represents a wide variety of activities including primary production as well as sports and recreational interests.
The sector interests can be organised with a local, regional, state and/or federal focus. The racing sector, for instance, is state structured providing considerable revenues to State Governments, but with overarching governance at the national level through the Australian Racing Board. Other horse disciplines, such as harness racing, the Equestrian Federation of Australia (EFA), stock horses, quarter horses, pony clubs, Australian ponies and Arabian horses, have a national body as well as state bodies.
The available estimate of horses in Australia is at least 1.2 million, with estimates of 400,000 brumbies and 316,000 horses on agricultural properties. In the thoroughbred breeding industry alone 26,251 mares were covered in the 2005 season and 850 stallions stood at stud.
The membership of the Equestrian Federation of Australia was 17,681, with 70,000 horses in the Federation’s database and 10,184 horses with current performance cards. The EFA website receives up to 100,000 hits per day and about a million hits per month. As at 30 July 2006 there were 61,819 registered members of pony clubs across Australia.
Moreover not only is Australia recognised internationally as a producer of outstanding racehorses but in the pleasure discipline, Australia has excelled in the sport of Three Day Eventing winning its first Olympic Gold Medal in Rome in 1960 and winning three successive Olympic Gold Medals in the sport, culminating in the Sydney Olympics win in 2000.
Although the Australian horse industry is seen as being fragmented with a low level of industry cohesion and weak national governance, this belies its contribution to the social and economic growth of Australia. The "product" the horse, has shaped Australia both in its history and social fabric and today the horse, as much as it might be off the scale in terms of importance recognition and legislative policy priorities, is a major contributor to the Australian economy.
The RIRDC Equine R&D Advisory Committee commissioned a study in 2001 that looked at the contribution of Australia’s horse industry to the national economy. The study estimated that the contribution to GDP of the horse industry was over $6.3 billion in 1999. If the value of volunteer labour is included this pushes the contribution of the industry to almost $8 billion.
Other main findings of the study were:
There are a number of matters that the horse industry is working on including being a signatory to the Animal Health Australia disease emergency agreement and participation in the Federal Government’s Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (the EFA is a working group member). A national Code of Practice for the Land Transport of Horses was prepared in 1997 to facilitate the humane treatment of horses during transit to reduce stress and injury.
Research
and development
R&D funding is provided
to RIRDC by a range of groups and individuals within the horse industry
(see Chapter 3). The total industry contribution to RIRDC is approximately
$350,000 per annum with 80 per cent of this coming from the thoroughbred
racing industry. The scheme to obtain increased and guaranteed funding
for R&D from all sectors, as well as providing the horse industry’s
annual membership fee to Animal Health Australia (AHA), by placing a levy
on the sale of horseshoes, was not successful with the Australian Government.
The commitment to continue to build Equine R&D in Australia by horse industry institutions, organisations and businesses led to an application for Australian Government funding beginning 2005-2006 for The Australian Horse Industry Cooperative Research Centre. The business case saw a 400% increase in equine research funding, with RIRDC a core partner. The CRC for the Australian horse industry was on the final shortlist of considered CRCs but missed out on being established.
The RIRDC Horse R&D Program
partnership between industry and government continues to deliver high quality,
world recognised research from a small funding base with a leverage of
at least 3:1 on every dollar spent.
The Program currently receives financial support from:
| ·36 the Australian Racing Board | ·37 Logans Livestock Insurance |
| ·38 the Australian Stock Horse Society | ·39 Howard Insurance |
| ·40 the Equestrian Federation of Australia | ·41 Tyreel Stud |
| ·42 the Australian Equine Veterinary Association | ·43 Gerry Harvey |
| ·44 the Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Club | ·45 Coolmore Australia |
| ·46 the Paint Horse Association of Australia | ·47 Alanbridge Stud |
| ·48 Dolly van Zaane | ·49 PrimeVal Australasia |
| ·50 International Racehorse Transport | ·51 Ms Barb Vial |
This voluntary industry funding is matched through RIRDC discretionary funds.
The first Five Year R&D Plan for the Horse Program was developed in 1995–96 with a budget of around $680,000 per year. The second R&D Plan, developed in 2001, covered 2002–2006 and had a budget of around $750,000 a year. A total of 130 projects have been funded to date with a total program expenditure of $6,076,613. The expenditure breakdown is given in Chart 3.1.
Chart
.1 Program projects by category of expenditure
Data source: CIE
Research projects have made up 71.33 per cent of the total expenditure by the Program. Table 3.1 provides a summary of the R&D expenditure by investment area. Investment in respiratory disease has attracted 38 per cent of the funding, with nutrition, wastage and lameness each receiving around 12 per cent. Over the last few years, projects have been funded in new areas of welfare and environment, while investment in lameness, wastage and reproduction has been expanded.
Table .1 R&D expenditure
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Respiratory |
26
|
1,394,799
|
29
|
1,709,799
|
| Nutrition |
11
|
587,144
|
11
|
587,144
|
| Lameness |
5
|
374,420
|
7
|
519,300
|
| Exercise physiology |
5
|
302,071
|
5
|
302,071
|
| Wastage |
2
|
180,281
|
7
|
503,647
|
| Reproduction |
4
|
175,790
|
7
|
387,615
|
| Welfare |
1
|
60,000
|
5
|
300,641
|
| Parasitology |
1
|
44,000
|
1
|
44,000
|
| Environment |
0
|
0
|
3
|
104,986
|
| Total |
55
|
3,118,505
|
75
|
4,459,203
|
The
2002-2006 R&D Plan
The 2002–2006 R&D Plan
identified three priority areas of interest. These were:
Disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment — protecting the industry
The focus was on protecting the industry from endemic and exotic diseases as well as improving horse training methods. The objectives covered:
A pioneering study demonstrating that exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH – airway bleeding) reduces performance.
Development of a web based human and horse injury reporting system for the thoroughbred racing industry.
A national surveillance system to monitor injury to riders during eventing.
(These two projects (3 & 4) formed the ongoing structure to evaluate health and safety issues in the horse industry. These studies continue to grow).
Internationally recognised laminitis research by world leading researchers that helped define the pathophysiology of the disease, causes and treatments. As a result of this work, pasture fructan concentrations in Australian pastures is now being investigated as a major causative factor for laminitis.
Epidemiological studies into shin soreness and musculoskeletal injuries of young racehorses in training and tying up in all age groups has identified causes and made recommendations to decrease the incidence of these diseases.
Evaluation of pre-sale radiographs in thoroughbred horses and the potential effects on performance will be of assistance to breeders, buyers and trainers in being able to assess what lesions are significant.
Wastage study evaluating the common causes of mortality at racetracks has identified musculoskeletal, cardiac and respiratory problems with severe fractures leading to break down as the most common cause. This study fostered the first International Symposium on Racetrack Fatalitiesin 2005 and has developed cooperative international research groups to evaluate each of the major musculoskeletal injuries.
A commitment to improve racetrack design, development and care, through the production of a manual of racetrack management and support for the racetrack manager’s annual conference.
Development of an on-board fitness monitoring system to assist the training of horses. E-trakka system is now commercially available and used by some trainers to assist in the scientific assessment of fitness.
A prototype environmental management system for the horse keeping community.
Integrated pest management to assist in parasite control and protection of the environment by the use of dung beetles to remove faeces. The overall objective is to reduce anthelmintic use and therefore parasite resistance. The final end points of the study are ongoing.
Investigations into back pain and the epaxial musculature of the horse.
Placentitis in mares has been shown to be a major cause of reproductive wastage and foetal death. Studies to investigate the best treatments for placentitis are to be funded.
Gastric ulceration in horses is common. Funded projects have looked at the role of gastric bacteria in normal and ulcerated stomachs and the role of feed and environment in the development of gastric ulceration.
Protection of the integrity of the horse sport industries through drug clearance studies, determination of drug penetration through skin and DNA typing of urine samples to determine donor identity.
A field guide on plants poisonous
to horses in Australia has been produced and adds to the strong list of
Horse Program publications.
See also: The 2002-2006 R&D Plan
The analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) was undertaken at the Five Year Plan workshop held in Sydney on 24 February 2006 and facilitated by Dr Jenny Gordon. The SWOT analysis in the 2002–2006 R&D Plan was reviewed, with the following changes identified:
The proposed horseshoe levy was not approved, due largely to outside factors rather than lack of industry support.
There has been a significant increase in the level of international research collaboration, which had been recognised as an opportunity in the previous plan.
The strengthening of the Australian dollar has reduced the cost competitiveness of exports of animals.
The easing of the drought and recovery in commodity prices has alleviated the rural recession.
Table 4.1 sets out the revised SWOT analysis. It is broken up into a SWOT for the industry and a SWOT for the R&D segment of the industry and the RIRDC Horse Program in particular.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Industry
·80 Freedom from exotic disease ·81 Range of feed materials ·82 Year round racing ·83 Same time zone as Asia |
Industry
·84 Low level of cohesion between the different sectors of the horse industry and weak national governance of the horse industry as a whole ·85 Industry conservatism and relatively low education levels and lack of transferable skills in some sectors ·86 Mixed success of some sectors in influencing government ·87 Perception of some sectors of the horse industry as ‘rich’ ·88 Distance from key markets for some horse industry products |
| R&D
·89 Strong core of veterinary expertise ·90 Areas of strong research capability ·91 International collaborations on research |
R&D
·92 Low levels of R&D funding compared to other rural industries/lack of industry statutory levy ·93 Lack of capacity to utilise the R&D outcomes |
| Opportunities | Threats |
| Industry
·94 Export potential especially thoroughbred and endurance horses ·95 Joined Animal Health Australia (AHA) ·96 Generation change combined with the range of threats are forces for professionalisation of the industry as across all rural industries |
Industry
·97 Competition from NZ and other horse exporters ·98 Competition for racing gambling revenue with internet and other betting opportunities ·99 Lack of coordinated planning for the introduction of exotic disease, including lack of diagnostic readiness ·100 Community concerns regarding animal welfare ·101 Community concerns regarding environmental problems ·102 OH&S for workers in the industry ·103 Climate change and impact of hot weather, pasture growth, and working surfaces on the industry |
| R&D
·104 Domestic coordination of R&D and development of protocols to improve synergies in use of research resources ·105 Genetic analysis of inherited diseases combined with outcome measures to track factors contributing to high performance ·106 Technology has developed to allow measurement of the impact of surfaces on injury and breakdown (but it is expensive) ·107 Potential to find financial support for target issues from private individuals/breed and other societies that cannot commit to ongoing funding ·108 Very large returns for findings that can reduce preventable causes of death in foals/young horses |
R&D
·109 Financial pressures on the universities leading to lower ‘in-kind’ contributions to equine research ·110 Fragmentation of the racing industry and lack of a single source of financial contribution ·111 Loss of researchers to equine research through the lack of careers and low wages
|
Issues
raised but not addressed by the R&D Plan
There were a number of issues
that were raised at the workshop or have been in the previous R&D Plan
that have not been included in this Plan. This arises mainly from the identification
of the areas where R&D, as opposed to communication and lobbying effort,
is needed to address major constraints to industry profitability and competitiveness.
Thus the Plan does not address issues such as worker education, data collection
and communication efforts to influence community perceptions on welfare
issues, or marketing of Australian horses. It also does not address issues
regarding the horsemeat industry, or assessment of the therapeutic value
of alternative remedies and treatments. Research into these areas was seen
to pose considerable risks to program cohesiveness and funding capacity
and was considered to have minimal return in terms of net benefit to the
industry. The issue of geriatric horses and the fate of horses unsuited
to work or recreational use was raised, stimulated by the potential for
the disposal of these horses to generate negative perceptions of the industry.
However R&D on this issue was not identified, the issue being a ‘common
good’ one for the horse industry as a whole to address.
There was extensive discussion of the usefulness or otherwise of collecting and collating data in the areas of horse and rider injury, worker injury, and wastage (tracking losses from pregnancy to the racetrack). Data on rider injury is already collected by the racing industry for jockeys and the equestrian industry for major equestrian events following RIRDC funded research projects. Farm health and safety data includes injury associated with horses and is collated by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety. Some data tracking horse wastage has been collected and the potential value of such data was recognised. While it was agreed that program funding for collection of such data could be part of a specific investigation, general funding support for databases of this nature would not be considered. However the development of industry owned databases is encouraged.
The tighter scope and emphasis
on products and management strategies for end-users reflects RIRDC’s focus
on adoption and demonstrable impact. Targets and indicators should be possible
to achieve and reflect good performance by the Program.
Background
Infectious diseases and
parasites are a major cause of wastage and economic loss throughout the
industry. Studies indicate that viral and bacterial infections lower fertility,
limit performance of elite horses and reduce life expectancy. While Australia
is largely free from major diseases such as equine influenza and African
horse sickness, introduction or an outbreak of endemic diseases could pose
catastrophic impacts on all aspects of the industry. Increasing resistance
of parasites to current treatments also poses a threat to the industry.
Strategies
Support surveillance and
tests for incursion of invasive species and outbreaks of endemic diseases
through development of identification and diagnostic methods and techniques.
It should be noted a major role of Animal Health Australia is to protect
the horse industry from major exotic diseases and this has now allowed
the RIRDC Horse Program to concentrate on endemic infectious diseases.
Develop and communicate to industry management strategies that address known risk factors of prevalent and important diseases.
Identify risk factors and develop management strategies for developmental or other diseases identified by industry or by epidemiological studies as posing a major concern to the industry.
Develop management strategies and/or treatment options for horse parasites that are cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Monitor developments and participate in international collaborations on virology for areas of priority concern to the Australian horse industry.
Targets and indicators
Availability of tests and
identification methods for three diseases assessed by the industry as major
threats by 2012.
Significant industry adoption of disease management strategies for Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) (50% of major horse trainers) and Rhodococcus equi pneumonia (50% of horse breeding farms) for which risk factors are known by 2015.
Risk factors identified within 5 years of industry identifying a priority, management strategies developed within 7 years for these diseases.
Commercial availability of parasite treatments that address resistance and are cost competitive with existing treatments or guidelines on use of treatments to minimise development of resistance included with commercial products by 2015.
Participation in two international collaboration areas of priority to industry.
Objective 2: Reduce injury and breakdown of horses in work and training
Background
Injury and breakdown during
training for sport and leisure horses continues to be a significant source
of wastage to the horse industry. The objective should be to breed a sounder
horse, which grows and matures into a durable athlete. To meet this end
point a large number of variables need to be addressed including genetics,
nutrition and feeding, handling and training, racetrack and training surfaces
and the normal development of bone, muscle and cartilage. The Program has
addressed several areas of concern to the horse industry, evaluating shin
soreness, tying up and the common injuries that occur in young horses in
training. There have been a number of RIRDC publications on nutrition and
feeding of the young growing horse to add to the knowledge bank. There
is limited scientific information on effective training methods to minimise
injuries to horses and a realisation that training surfaces are a significant
factor in the development of orthopaedic problems. However it is recognised
that these studies are very expensive to design and implement.
Strategies
Organise and orchestrate
a meeting between Australia’s leading researchers into the orthopaedic
problems suffered by young growing horses. Research strengths and cooperative
skills will be identified between institutions and a plan established to
address the research areas where there are the resources to tackle, with
particular emphasis on osteochondrosis. There is the potential for international
collaboration. This follows on from the planning discussed at the Horse
CRC that could not be implemented due to the unsuccessful bid.
Evaluate data generated from RIRDC funded studies on: 1) incidence of disease on equine stud farms; 2) radiological abnormalities in yearling thoroughbreds and their effect on performance; 3) data from the race day injury reporting system; and 4) the epidemiology and risk factor analysis of racetrack fatalities, allowing concentration on orthopaedic problems that have been identified as a major concern to the horse industry and address these with specific research projects. A major objective will be alerting the industry of these findings such that over 50% adopt the ongoing recommendations.
Develop and undertake cost-effective approaches to assessing the impact of surfaces and length of exposure on injury, aiming to provide guidance to users and suppliers of commercial surfaces and design of surfaces and courses, for racing and equestrian sports.
Targets and indicators
Report on the conclusions
established from the musculoskeletal workshop, outlining research plans
and objectives for the next 5 years that will stimulate project submissions
from these researchers.
Produce a single report for the horse industry that summarises the significant findings from RIRDC funded studies noted above, allowing the findings to be adopted by greater than 50% of the industry. Areas needing additional research will be identified.
Produce and distribute guidelines for training surfaces by 2012.
Objective 3: Improve productivity in breeding
Background
Much of the economic loss
that occurs in the horse industry is through reproduction failures and
in the early developing years. Embryonic loss and developmental orthopaedic
disease in foals are significant problems in the stud industry. Genetic
testing has identified genetic causes of disease that also impact on the
breeding success. These areas offer opportunities to improve the productivity
in breeding.
Strategies
Improve the understanding
of causes and risk factors for embryonic loss and develop strategies and
tests to reduce losses.
Develop and promote use of management regimes for reducing prevalence of diseases impacting on young foals such as rattles and gastric ulcers.
Build knowledge of the causes and risk factors for neonatal diseases to develop management strategies for breeders.
Utilise the developing knowledge of the horse genome to provide breeders with the technologies and understanding to reduce their exposure to genetic related diseases and other problems.
Targets and indicators
Objective evidence of reduced
embryonic loss linked to the use of the strategies/tests. Adoption of strategies/tests
developed by the R&D by 40%of the major breeders by 2015.
Objective evidence of the impact of management regimes for target diseases in foals. Adoption of these management regimes developed by the R&D by 40%of the major breeders by 2015.
Documented management strategies for at least two selected neonatal diseases (eg Rhodococcus equi pneumonia (rattles) and osteochondrosis) being tested by breeders by 2011.
Knowledge of genetic risk markers and evidence of use of genetic tests by the majority of major breeders (50%) for relevant breeds.
Objective 4: Improve the safety of industry
participants and the welfare of horses,
and enhance the environmental sustainability of the industry
Background
The horse industry faces
challenges in a number of countries with regard to the treatment of horses,
the safety of riders and the impact on the environment. The use of therapeutic
and prohibited substances in the performance horse sectors is a major issue.
Furthermore transport practices, equipment, and the management and feeding
of horses at pasture and in the stable as well as in work and training
(see Objective 2) all impact on the welfare of the horse. Injuries and
deaths of competitive and recreational riders as well as injuries to workers
continue to be of concern to the industry. The impact on the environment
with the potential for the spread of weeds with riding access and point
source pollution from stables has been a concern to the industry. Addressing
these risks is primarily an industry responsibility. However R&D can
play a role in reducing these sources of risk to the industry where credible
scientific solutions are required.
Strategies
Maintain a watching brief
on trends in the welfare and safety requirements to assess the potential
impact on the industry of any changes in trends. Raise the awareness of
industry organisations about emerging risks in these areas and encourage
them to develop management strategies.
Provide the R&D support where appropriate for initiatives that develop and implement effective risk management strategies for improving animal and/or human safety.
Build knowledge on both therapeutic and prohibited substances to assist in control and ensure compliance with horse regulatory bodies.
Build knowledge on the impact of horses on fragile and/or sensitive environments and encourage stakeholders to develop management strategies to reduce the impact.
Targets and indicators
Assist equine industry organisations
to provide information to support the development or implementation of
strategies to improve horse or human safety in their industry segment by
2011.
Contribute to the development of international cooperative research on detection of therapeutic and prohibited substances.
Support drug administration trials to produce a knowledge base for use by both regulators and industry participants.
Ensure industry engagement in the development of management strategies introduced by government agencies, for reducing the environmental impact of horses is backed by sound and accepted research on impact.
Objective 5: Promote the quality, quantity and effective communication of R&D for the horse industry
Background
Communication of information
has always been a cornerstone of the Horse Program. The Program is seen
as providing highly credible independent information on R&D supported
by the Program and undertaken elsewhere. The RIRDC Equine Research News
publication with a distribution run of 10,000 copies remains the flagship
of Program communication to horse owners. The internet (not a practical
medium for many horse owners in rural Australia), and electronic transfer
of the newsletter to horse organisations (for insertion in their newsletters)
are further communication avenues as are the promotion of RIRDC equine
research at national and international symposiums and the Horse Program
presence at the Asia/Pacific Equitana – held every two years and attended
by 65,000 people in November 2005. The failure to institute a horseshoe
levy means that the Program has to rely on voluntary contributions. Thus
the outreach to industry members is as critical from this funding aspect
as well as effectiveness of the Program in achieving its objectives. The
Jeffcott Review of the Program noted that there was considerable scope
for better coordination of R&D efforts between the veterinary schools
that form the major source of research expertise. At the Five Year Plan
workshop it was acknowledged that there was the potential for greater synergies
and utilisation of resources through establishment of common protocols.
Strategies
Table 5.1 Proposed Horse
R&D Budget 2006-2011*
|
2006/2007
|
2007/2008
|
2008/2009
|
2009/2010
|
2010/2011
|
|
|
OPENING BALANCE
|
412,229
|
255,929
|
254,929
|
264,929
|
255,929
|
|
REVENUES
|
|||||
|
External Contributions
|
550,000
|
550,000
|
550,000
|
550,000
|
550,000
|
|
RIRDC Core
Contribution
|
550,000
|
550,000
|
550,000
|
550,000
|
550,000
|
|
Interest
|
9,000
|
3,000
|
3,000
|
3,000
|
3,000
|
|
Publication
Sales
|
30,000
|
15,000
|
30,000
|
15,000
|
30,000
|
|
TOTAL REVENUE
|
1,139,000
|
1,118,000
|
1,133,000
|
1,118,000
|
1,133,000
|
|
EXPENDITURE
|
|||||
|
Obj 1 Diseases
and
Parasites |
354,000
|
300,000
|
300,000
|
300,000
|
300,000
|
|
Obj 2 Injury
and
Breakdown |
354,000
|
300,000
|
300,000
|
300,000
|
300,000
|
|
Obj 3 Breeding
|
177,000
|
150,000
|
150,000
|
150,000
|
150,000
|
|
Obj 4 Safety
|
118,000
|
100,000
|
100,000
|
100,000
|
100,000
|
|
Obj 5 Communication
|
177,000
|
150,000
|
150,000
|
150,000
|
150,000
|
|
R&D Program
Total
|
1,180,000
|
1,000,000
|
1,000,000
|
1,000,000
|
1,000,000
|
| Communication, Committee and Admin Costs | |||||
|
115,300
|
119,000
|
123,000
|
127,000
|
131,000
|
|
|
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
|
1,295,300
|
1,119,000
|
1,123,000
|
1,127,000
|
1,131,000
|
|
CLOSING BALANCE
|
255,929
|
254,929
|
264,929
|
255,929
|
257,929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
