Key research at Yanco Agricultural Institute
Rice
Australia’s only rice breeding program is based at Yanco Agricultural Institute (YAI), and is focused on producing high-yielding temperate japonica rice varieties suited to local agronomic conditions and industry markets.
- Varieties developed at Yanco constitute over 95% of the Australian rice crop.
- Developing varieties with higher levels of cold tolerance is currently a key target of the breeding program.
- The breeding program is complemented by researchers working on cereal chemistry, soil science, crop physiology and nutrition, agronomy and rice pest management, as well as by experts in production economics and technology transfer.
Vegetables
At the National Vegetable Industry Centre research is conducted on pest, disease and irrigation management of field-grown vegetables.
- Varietal assessments of vegetables for regional suitability, quality and yield are a regular part of work conducted by the centre.
- The NVIC team work closely with both the Postharvest Horticulture Group and National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture at Gosford, as well as with the District Horticulturists based in other vegetable-producing areas of NSW.
- Currently, staff at the NVIC are working on lettuce, beans, tomatoes, onions, pumpkins and sweet corn.
- Project work occurs on site at YAI, on collaborating growers' properties in the Riverina, in other parts of the state, and in collaboration with researchers in other states.
- Staff are involved with international projects, typically in SE Asia.
- The team has expertise in insect and disease management, irrigation, quality assessment, agronomy, and technology transfer.
Organic agriculture
A 6.4 ha site at the institute has been developed for organic crop production. The site achieved dual certification by Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and the National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) in 2000, and is used for demonstration crops and research into organic farming techniques which 
aim to achieve a reduced reliance on artificial pesticides and fertilisers.
- Crops which have been grown on the site include vegetables, oilseeds, cereals and pulses.
- The site is currently being used for a three year research project looking at the production of an ancient type of wheat, Triticum spelta, more commonly known as spelt. Spelt flour is used in breakfast cereals, various health food products, and also in licorice production.
Key research units
NSW DPI has research units spread across various locations. For example, the Weeds Research unit has research staff based in Orange, Wagga Wagga, Narrabri, Grafton and Tamworth.
Some of the units located at Yanco include:
Systems Research (branch)
Southern Farming Systems (unit)
Health Sciences, Strategic Alliances and Evaluation
Plant Health Sciences
Resources Research
Soils and Recycled Organics
Climate Science and Irrigation Research
Rural Innovation
Pulse and Oilseed Genetics and Improvement
Cereal Genetics and Improvement
Pasture Genetics and Improvement
Research Operations
Regional Diagnostic Laboratories
Biometrics