The AgriFutures Australia Pasture Seeds Program invests in RD&E that maximises opportunities and minimises risks for a profitable and sustainable pasture seeds industry with a reputation for reliable supply of quality pasture species.
Key components of the program
Key components of this program include improving seed production and processing efficiencies and investing in pasture seed market development.
About the industry
The AgriFutures Australia Pasture Seeds RD&E Program is concerned with certified temperate pasture species, including medics, lucerne, serradella, sub-clover and clover.
The importance of this industry to Australia lies in its contribution to the productivity of other agricultural sectors. Certified temperate pasture seed (seed produced and processed to meet quality scheme requirements) contributes to the productivity of pasture based livestock industries including beef, sheep and dairy. Sown pastures provide break crop benefits to the grains industry and temperate pastures provide cut fodder for the dairy and equine industries.
There are approximately 500 growers of temperate pasture seed in Australia. Annual production of seed from these species has been estimated at 20,600 tonnes excluding farmer-to-farmer seed sales, while the annual production of certified temperate pasture seed has been estimated at 8500 tonnes.
Total pasture seeds industry gross value of production (GVP) was estimated at $107 million in 2013 with leviable crops valued at $36 million. More than 70% of total industry GVP was generated in export markets. Pasture seed exports were dominated by sales of certified lucerne seed to Saudi Arabia. Other important export markets include Argentina, the US, China and Italy.
Industry Advisory Panel
AgriFutures Australia is committed to working with industry to deliver research and development outcomes. We work in partnership with advisory panels to decide on research priorities and to make investment decisions each year.
Funding
The program is funded by statutory levies paid by industry participants. Half of program expenditure, including R&D expenditure, is matched by the Australian Government at up to 0.5% of industry GVP.
RD&E plan
The Pasture Seeds Program RD&E Plan 2019-2023 has four main objectives:
The Pasture Seeds Program is overseen by the Pasture Seeds R&D Advisory Panel, with a primary focus on those pasture seeds levied to fund the program.
Contact
Dr Melanie Bradley
Program Manager, Research & Innovation
02 6923 6913
0407 987 738
melanie.bradley@agrifutures.com.au
This Five Year Plan has been developed by RIRDC, in consultation with industry stakeholders, to outline the Pasture Seeds industry’s research, development and extension (RD&E) objectives until 2018
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