Our charter is to provide coordinated leadership to the Australian pulse industry and to facilitate activities that will achieve improved profitability for all sectors of the industry. See current Business & Annual Operating Plan on our website under Publications, General.
Pulse Australia is the peak industry body that represents all sectors of the pulse industry in Australia, from growers and agronomists through to researchers, merchants, traders and exporters.
It is unique in that it is an independent, non-political and whole of industry organisation, which acts as a catalyst for the development of the pulse industry.
A Board of Directors is nominated from across the industry and provides direction and vision. Directors bring skills and knowledge from many areas of interest including pulse farming, pulse research, seed merchandising, marketing and exporting. The Grains Research and Development Corporation also nominates one director.
Pulse Australia's broad long-term goals are to:
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Pulse Australia takes a three pronged approach to ensure that the overall objectives are met in all areas of the industry:
Crop Support: Qualified field staff provide the catalyst for coordination or information across state and institutional boundaries - actively supporting farmers to ensure confidence, sustainability and consistency of pulse production. More information
Industry Support: Fundamentally about filling the gaps. That is, the provision of the means to create essential linkages along the value chain. More information
Market Support: Providing a single voice for industry in the areas of market access and development, negotiating with governments and other industry bodies both domestically and internationally. More information
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The pulse industry is one of Australian agricultures success stories. From humble beginnings in the 1980s, Australia is now a major player in the global pulse markets.
Australia is now one of the worlds largest exporters of pulses.
The five major pulse groups grown in Australia are Chickpeas, Faba Beans, Field Peas, Lentils and Lupins. ln addition, there are a number of smaller or niche crops such as Mungbeans, Broad Beans, Azuki (Adzuki) Beans, Navy Beans, Cow Peas and Pigeon Peas. Within these types there are numerous varieties, many of which have particular characteristics that suit differing markets.
Not only does Australia have the climatic diversity to enable it to supply a broad range of pulse products, but Australian growers, marketers, researchers and industry leaders are demonstrating they have the drive, ingenuity and skills to meet any challenge facing the industry.
It is the role of Pulse Australia to facilitate and support all sectors of the Australian pulse industry to meet all challenges in this exciting and developing industry.
The pulse industrys growth is increasingly becoming a key to the future sustainability of the whole Australian grains industry as the strategic importance of pulses within the cereal cropping system in Australia continues to grow. Research has shown that farm systems achieve substantial benefit from the increased yield and protein content in cereal and oilseed crops that are planted following pulse crops.
Australian pulse production has grown dramatically. In 1990 total production amounted to only 1.3 million tonnes of pulses. By the turn of the century pulses represented 2.245 million hectares throughout the country, producing around 2.5 million tonnes of grain with a commodity value of over A$675 million and an additional farm system benefit of around A$300 million. The potential for the pulse crop in Australia, assuming all constraints are overcome, is to increase its current size to 4.2 million tonnes, with a commodity value of A$1.504 billion and a farm system benefit of A$538 million - a total of over A$2 billion.
Pulse Australias strategic planning process helps to ensure that the Australian pulse industry can meet its future challenges and continue to provide the world with the highest quality products of the greatest integrity.
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The Pulse Australia crop support team works in cooperation with the Grains Research and Development Corporation to develop agronomic management packages and provides training for agronomists and farmers.
The support team includes highly qualified agricultural scientists and agronomists who primarily work in the field. These specialists work across geographic and institutional boundaries to coordinate information flow, ensuring that it reaches agronomists and farmers at the earliest possible time. They are also key players in providing information from the field that may influence varietal development and crop selection for particular regions. Pulse Australia also works with farmers, merchants, chemical companies, state government departments of agriculture and the Australian National Registration Authority to gain limited use registrations or permits for chemicals not otherwise legally available for use on pulses.
Pulse Australia has also developed a HACCP based quality assurance program with whole of industry input for those growers who need such a tool to access specific markets.
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Pulse Australia works to coordinate activities across all sectors of the industry.
A sophisticated communications program, including a high profile web site, regular newsletters and bulletins, ensures that all sectors of the industry are kept informed of current and relevant topics. Pulse Australia acts as the focal for liaison between the industry and governments, both domestically and internationally, in areas such as market access, tariffs, quarantine and other trade issues. Regular forums are held with regional pulse groups and other industry bodies around the country. The Pulse Australia Standards Committee develops receival standards for all pulse products within Australia, aimed at meeting the requirements of the export trade.
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As well as international collaboration through the world peak body CICILS/IPTIC (Confederation Internationale du Commerce et des Industries des Legumes Secs/International Pulse Trade Industry Confederation), Pulse Australia is actively involved in the promotion of pulses in specific markets and the development of long term secure value chain relationships.
Pulse Australia is recognised around the world as the peak body of the Australian pulse industry and, as such, is best placed to address tariff and other trade impediment issues that may arise from time to time. Pulse Australia cooperates very closely with relevant Australian government departments to ensure recognition of the quality and integrity of Australian pulses in the international marketplace. A list of Traders & Handlers who support Pulse Australia and its values can be found on this web site.
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