TIA is a joint venture of the University of Tasmaniaand the Tasmanian Government

Opportunities For Pasture Seed Crops In New Irrigation AreasTony Butler

TIA Herbage Development Program

Introduction

• Discuss:

– Overview of Tasmania’s pastureseed production industry

– Benefits to the Midlands

– Benefits of pasture seed production

Seed Production in Tasmania

19/09/1945

1/12/1954

31/05/1933

30/06/1951

Tasmania’s Seed Production

• Tasmania is a major supplier of pasture seeds to the domestic market– Approximately 3000 ha used for pasture seed production (2011)– Majority of crop exported from the state– Little exported directly overseas from Tasmania– National pasture legume value $107.2M (2011)

• 20,600 T produced, 15,200 T exported

• Range of pasture seed crops grown– Pasture grasses (ryegrass, cocksfoot, coloured brome)– Clovers (white, red, arrow leaf, Persian)– Herbs (Chicory and plantain)

• Investment by domestic and overseas companies– PGG Wrightson’s publically announced to grow more seed this season finished– Establishment of Tasmanian Seed Dressers – subsidiary from NZ– Midlands Seeds from NZ have established a base here– Seed grown for: Heritage seeds, Seedforce, TasGlobal Seeds

Tasmania’s Benefits

• Cool temperate climate– Mild and dry summers– Cool winters

• Island state– Biosecurity

• Disease and weed control

• Post harvest infra-structure already established– Seed cleaners– Bulk handling

• Large domestic market on the “door-step”

TAS Ryegrass Yields

TAS Clover Yields

TAS Production Overview

Certified seed production in Tasmania:• Short-term ryegrass yields increasing over time

– Italian ryegrass yields have almost doubled in 14 years

• Tall fescue yields static

• Certified clover seed production periodic– Red clover yields are generally increasing.

• Herb production– Chicory production reasonably static– Plantain periodic

TAS Growing Areas

North West: ~90 ha

North East: ~2700 ha

South: ~240 ha

DistrictArea grown

(ha)

Central Highlands 132

Southern Midlands 21

Triabunna 81

Area grown in 2010-11

DistrictArea grown

(ha)

Meander Valley 980

Northern Midlands 1523

Break O’day 32

MIDLANDS POTENTIAL

Yields

• Yields limited by the lowest factor

New Potential Areas

• Typically grown in the Whitemore district

• Just add water

– New irrigation schemes.

• NE coast

• Midlands

• East coast (Swan Valley)

Why the Midlands?

• The Midlands:– Irrigation investment

– Majority accessible land for machinery

– Warm growing days, cooler nights

– Easy access to transport routes

– Frost risk between 5 to 75 days exposure/year

– Complex soils• Pastures are beneficial to these soils

– Currently predominately pastoral based farming• Infrastructure and skills

Benefits to the Midlands

• Reduced soil erosion

– Reduced soil working

• Reduced costs

• Improved soil health

– Improved worm activity

– Improved CEC

Benefits to the Midlands

• Reduced soil compaction

– Reduced traffic and timing

• Reduce sodicity

– Allow drying of soil at depth

• Opportunity to fit into currentcropping rotations

Financial Returns

• Profitable per ML water used compared to other crops

Gross margins of crops - irrigated - Meander Valley (June 2013)

Crop $ return/ML of water used

Poppies 1,020

Oats Irrigated 715

Grass Seed 660

Potatoes Processed 520

Wheat Irriagted 505

Beans Processed 475

Caulies Processed 440

Clover Seed 415

Pumpkins 405

Barley Irrigated 380

Lucerne 205

Canola Dry 110

Canola Irrigated 40Sourced from: DPIPWE gross margin analysis tools

Alternative Uses

• Seed crops post harvest offer:

– Feed preservation

• Silage, balage, hay, straw

– Grazing

• High quality feed for finishing stock– Prime lamb

– Grass seed straw

• Feed reserve– dairy industry?

Upcoming Conference

• 12th November 2014

– International speakers

• Oregon

• New Zealand

– Technical aspects

– Why invest in Tasmania seed production?

• New irrigation districts

– Field trip

THANK YOU