1940
CSIR and Waite Institute (now University of Adelaide) developed successful nursery and transplant techniques in South Australia (15 trial sites – both irrigation and dryland). Seeds used included unnamed source and later cultivar 593
1944
7Ha planted in Canberra by CSIR. A smaller trial site established in Lawes, Queensland. Even though no quantative data retained, it is known that growth was favorable compared to irrigated guayule in South Australia.
1978
CSIRO Division of Plant Industry imported improved cultivars from the USA and established a number of small trial sites (observation plots). 1979 Agro-climatic analysis carried out (supporting guayule growth to eastern cereal belt)
1980
CSIRO Division of Water and Land Resources visited the USA and Mexico to collect all available experimental data on guayule. This work was completed when funding expired in 1982.
1981
Californian Department of Food and Agriculture (Division of Plant Industry) visited New South Wales and conducted a “Feasibility Study on the Commercialisation of Guayule in New South Wales”. The study was conducted by Dr. I. Siddiqui and Dr. Patricia Locktov. Dr. Peter Milthorpe (NSW Department of Agriculture) established small observation trials at several sites identified in the Feasibility Study.
1982
March-April 1982, 5 guayule research workers from the United States visited New South Wales, South Australia and Canberra. Federal Government’s Plant Production Committee the Standing Committee on Agriculture formed a Guayule Research and Development Coordinating Committee with representation from CSIRO, Department of Agriculture, New South Wales, Department of Agriculture, South Australia, Department of Primary Industries, Queensland and Bureau of Agricultural Economics.
1983
Funding secured from Rural Credits Development Fund to set up integrated collaborative field and controlled environment experiments on growth and development of guayule. The two trials established were at Hillston,New South Wales (1983/84) and Kingaroy, Queensland (1984). Under Mexico-Australia Agreement on Science and Technology – 5 Australian members of Working Party participated in workshop held at CIQA, Saltillo, Mexico (1983). Same group attended 4th Annual Conference of Guayule Rubber Society at Riverside Campus of University of California.
1984
Australian representation at the 5th Annual Conference of Guayule Rubber Society in Washington, DC.
1996
CSIRO releases report on commercializing guayule in Australia with recommendations for a 20 year R & D program.
1999
Outback Regional Development Organisation Inc. (ORDO) signs Material Transfer Agreement with the USA Department of Agriculture – import of latest cultivars (AZ-1,AZ-2,AZ-3,,AZ-5 and AZ-6). ORDO signs agreements with Queensland University, Gatton and Charles Stuart University, Wagga Wagga for trialing guayule cultivars subject to grant funding.
2001
Queensland University secures RIRDC funding for 3 years (extended by 1 year to 2005) for trial site development. Other trial site set up in collaboration with Chinchilla High School. Guayule Network established under chair of Michael Verwey.
2006
Trial sites established in Queensland (Chinchilla, Dalby, Condomine);
NSW (Balranald, Menindee Lakes); Western Australia (Perenjori, Dangaragan;
Minegew) and South Australia (Normanville).
2008
Outback Regional Development Organisation Inc. signs Material Transfer Agreement with WA Dept. of Agriculture to trial guayule under various conditions in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia under the leadership of Dr. Henry Brockman.
2013
EnergyEne Australia Pty Ltd established to lead the commercialisation of guayule in Australia.
