International Livestock Resources & Information Centre Ltd

Background to ILRIC
The International Livestock Resources and Information Centre Ltd (ILRIC) is a ‘not for profit’ organisation, established in 2002 as one of 15 Australian Government Major National Research Facilities (MNRFs).  It is the only MNRF located within regional Australia, being based at the University Of New England (UNE), Armidale, New South Wales.
ILRIC has, as its core foundation, partners from around 20 livestock research groups plus all major industry groups, breeders, processors, food retailers and telecommunications suppliers.  It is an ‘umbrella’ organisation that is responsible for providing a consolidated, integrated approach to meeting domestic and international client needs in livestock sector development.  Through its core partners ILRIC has access to over 50 years experience in livestock production, research, data recording, analysis and extension acting as facilitators and catalysts for innovation and technology.

ILRIC’s Vision
To be a world leader in the provision of livestock infrastructure, research and development, setting the international standard in providing the most comprehensive livestock information and production systems.

Through the establishment of improved livestock production and marketing systems ILRIC aims to increase the income of farmers and to promote both economically sustainable systems as well as ecologically responsible natural resource management.  With the intention of doubling the rate of productivity improvements in livestock industries ILRIC, with its core partners, will become the leading source of livestock genetics, data, information and expertise for the global livestock sector.

ILRIC has the capacity to plan, implement and manage livestock development projects and programs. In particular, ILRIC is able to assist developing livestock industries at all stages of the production process - from ‘paddock to plate’.

ILRIC is well positioned to assist livestock sector development by enabling industry participants to access data from anywhere in the world using high-speed communication networks and leading edge technology.  Through ILRIC immediate access to livestock research and data is now possible for all livestock sectors.  ILRIC has been able to address an important factor that has limited productivity growth, which is the significant lag in time in disseminating research results to livestock producers and translating these results into decision-making tools that increase productivity and profitability.

The ILRIC Approach
The current global environment dictates that future productivity gains within the agricultural sector will be derived from increased efficiency in production, greater utilisation of environmental resources through sustainable natural resource management and the introduction and dissemination of new technologies. ILRIC adopts an integrated, holistic approach to livestock production and profitability that incorporates the sustainable and efficient use of resources, empowerment of stakeholders and access to appropriate markets and marketing systems. ILRIC targets economic and environmentally sustainable development through its command of the most up-to-date expertise and technological improvements across the full range of activities associated with livestock production including:

• Genetics and breeding systems.
• Pasture management and nutrition.
• Weed/parasite/disease control.
• Market access and marketing systems.
• The development of infrastructure, institutions, human and social capital.

ILRIC can undertake needs analyses and social assessments to ensure the accurate identification of specific partner needs at various stages of the livestock production process and assist where required through the development of strategic multi-level programs or the implementation of community-level projects.

An Emphasis on Developing Countries
Livestock production is an important component of the rural sector in all developing countries. ILRIC recognises that this importance goes beyond the concept of economic/financial gains to that of sustainable food security and production of a marketable surplus. Population growth, local economic development and increasing urbanisation have created a demand for livestock products within many developing countries. ILRIC regards the strong increase in demand for livestock products in these countries as an exciting opportunity. The difficulties often facing livestock industries within developing countries include: widespread rural poverty, degradation of the resource base, unsustainable livestock production practices, limited market development and insufficient community participation. Widening poverty gaps in many nations necessitate the incorporation of social concerns within policy formulation. Integrated approaches that address sustainable natural resources management along with rural development in an environment of increased economic efficiency are required. ILRIC has the ability to formulate coherent strategies to address these multi-faceted problems.

What can ILRIC offer the Livestock Sector
This comprehensive command of expertise enables ILRIC to offer a fully integrated, holistic approach to livestock production. Such an approach is required for producers seeking to capture sustainable returns in the contemporary market. The global production of meat is expected to increase by 50% between the years 2000 and 2020.  In addition, the pressure to free up world trade is producing dramatic changes in the way livestock production will take place. In response to these developments, ILRIC is focused on meeting the growing demand for functioning, sustainable livestock sectors in both the Australian domestic markets and those in developing countries. Through the provision of its extensive skills, resources and expertise, ILRIC aims to provide partner industries and governments improvement across all aspects of their livestock sectors.

More specifically ILRIC can offer:

• An international network of operating breed register systems for breed societies and other corporate groups.
• Genetic evaluations across all livestock species and the identification of elite genetic production values.
• Software to harvest large volumes of livestock data and permit analysis of very large datasets through high-speed servers and communication links.
• On-farm livestock management and data capture software tools.
• An on-line disease diagnostic service, with associated training modules.  Development of new animal health products.
• The hosting of major livestock conferences, seminars, workshops and training programs.
• Provision of business intelligence solutions and relevant information on the beef and sheep industries.
• Development of improved and sustainable systems of livestock and pasture management.
• Provision of some the world’s best livestock genetics including seedstock, semen and embryos.
• Social, community and institutional analysis. Industry/sector strategic planning and analysis.
• Project/program design, evaluation, implementation and management.

ILRIC is well equipped to provide sustainable research and development, information management systems, seedstock, semen, embryos, sector and project planning and management expertise in developed and emerging markets. ILRIC can deliver extensive research skills, the training necessary to present new ideas to livestock producers and equip them effectively with the world-leading genetics, latest technologies and the extension services required to transfer research outcomes to producers.