Research & Development
Ridley's reputation and market success are built on an extensive program of research and development. One of the cornerstones of Ridley's eminent position in markets across the world is commitment to product quality; and driving that product quality is a vigorous and rigorous program of Research and Development.
All stockfeed, supplement and premix products manufactured and supplied by Ridley AgriProducts are the result of extensive research and development. Ridley undertakes R&D programs across the broad range of livestock and aquaculture species important for Australian agriculture.
Research Highlights
Cheetham Salt
Cheetham Salt is currently involved in a diversity of research and development activities throughout its business, and in the area of salt field biology is working with leading global experts to develop novel control techniques to reduce the impact of blue green algae in tropical solar salt fields.
Ridley AgriProducts
Feed Manufacture – Various initiatives have been undertaken in the area of feed manufacture and the associated impact on animal performance. Ridley continues to contribute to the MLA’s Premium Grains for Livestock Program (PGLP), with evaluations of grain type (Wheat, Barley, Triticale, Sorghum) and potential economic benefit to stakeholders.
Pig – Ridley AgriProducts, as a contributor to the Pork CRC, is synergising efforts in applying novel ingredients, feed processing and their impact on critical ingredient digestibility. Further work is associated with evaluating new nutriceutical ingredients and their impact on total lifetime performance.
Poultry – Research during the past few years has largely focused on laying hen nutrition and the availability of plant bound minerals. Current activities include dietary influence on yolk colour and quality parameters, performance of meat chickens when fed vegetable based ingredients, pullet starter programs and the impact of feed processing on the performance (growth, feed efficiency, health) of different classes of poultry.
Dairy – Recent research has revolved around various raw material evaluations, including rumen buffers. Future research initiatives include supplementary feeding strategies and nutrient modelling for pasture based feeding systems. Calf rearing trials, during the first 6 weeks of life, will focus on growth, feed efficiency and health.
Beef - Current beef cattle initiatives are examining the economic production benefits from rumen manipulations when feed particular supplementations, novel ingredients and health enhancing additives.
Sheep – A new range of loose mix supplements has been the recent outcome of extensive on-farm and feedlot studies. Further development and expansion of applications across the lamb meat and breeder sectors of the industry are underway.
Aquaculture – Prawn diet development has brought forward an efficient highly digestible product offer that the industry has applauded. New fin-fish seasonal diets, manipulating nutrient composition and density have produced cost effective programs that optimise overall grow-out performance.