Aust. seed prospects look good, say market developers

Press, 24 July 1987, Page 11

Aust. seed prospects look good, say market developers

Prospects for increased exports of New Zealand pasture seed to Australia look good, according to a Market Development Board executive, Mr lan Mustchin. He said the seed industry estimated that New Zealand seed exports to Australia would double in the next five years. He said the board saw good potential for the export of New Zealand cultivars across the Tasman, especially since the introduction of plant variety rights protection in Australia.

The board recently joined the Seeds Promotion Council to fund a series of seminars in Australia on New Zealand pasture cultivars. Two D.S.I.R. scientists, Dr John Hay and Dr Deric Charlton, and a Gore plant breeder, Mr Keith Widdup, travelled over 7000 kilometres in four weeks and delivered about 14 presentations to audiences averaging 35 to 40 people. “This year’s seminar

programme was aimed at bringing the Australians up to date with the advances in New Zealand,” Mr Mustchin said. “This has become particularly important because the recent introduction of P.V.R. legislation in Australia means New Zealand breeders now have legal redress to control the Australian practice of growing seed crops of New Zealand cultivars for sale.”

According to Dr Charlton, the seminar tour was a great success and audiences included seed company representatives, researchers, agricultural consultants and farmers. Some participants travelled for up to four hours to attend the seminars because of the excellent reputation New Zealand pasture seeds have in Australia.

“Research into pasture cultivars in New Zealand is way ahead of Australia and many of our varieties perform extremely well over there,” he said. Dr Charlton said this

included established varieties such as Ellet ryegrass, along with newer varieties like Concord Italian ryegrass and Matua prairie grass. Maku lotus did especially well in Queensland.

“While we were over there we were shown farms which were virtually oases of New Zealand pasture cultivars, and these were shining examples of what is possible with our seeds,” he said. Dr Charlton said it was apparent to him that New Zealand seed exporters should work together as a team in the future. While the Australians felt New Zealand’s marketing of pasture seeds was top-class, the seminar tour was really the first time an independent New Zealand sales team had crossed the Tasman.

“There is a lot of potential for team effort to market a complete management package. Through their use of New Zealand cultivars the Australians are becoming

aware that their grazing management can be helped by New Zealand electric fencing. “We should be looking at offering a package ranging from seed drills right through to technical advice and assistance.” Since the return of the seminar team, follow-up

has been very promising. Dr Charlton said seed companies had told him the demand for New Zealand pasture seeds had increased markedly. Australians had also contacted him to indicate they wanted to continue the interchange of information.