Australia
March 4, 2013

In a first for NSW and Queensland wheat growers, grower‐to‐grower trading of some wheat varieties will be legal from the 2013‐14 harvest under a new seed sharing model launched by Australian Grain Technologies (AGT).

Permission to sell or trade seed of the popular, high‐yielding AGT variety, Suntop will be granted via completion of the AGT Seed Sharing License Agreement by both seller and buyer.

Kerrie Gleeson, AGT Queensland/NSW territory manager based at Dubbo, NSW, says the move aims to increase availability of new varieties and boost adoption rates, which can be hampered by seed volume and price.

“Growers who have purchased Suntop seed from a recognised seed retailer will be offered the legal right, under the terms of a Licence Agreement, to sell or trade grain of Suntop to another grower for use as seed,” Mr Gleeson says.

“Suntop has out‐performed other main season varieties under independent Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) National Variety Trials (NVT) in the northern region and is the highest yielding APH quality variety produced for northern grain growers by any organisation to date – so this is a great opportunity for growers.

“To ensure a degree of seed purity a grower who wishes to sell or trade seed of Suntop must have first purchased the original seed source from a recognised seed retailer.”

Mr Gleeson says growers are not obliged to sell seed to other growers but AGT offers these growers a legal avenue to do so. High quality seed of AGT varieties will continue to be available through AGT affiliates and local retailers.

The sale or trade of Suntop without a completed and returned License Agreement is an infringement of Australian law under the Plant Breeders Rights ACT of 1994, he said.

“We have had a fantastic response to the seed sharing initiative with many South Australian, Victorian and West Australian growers making the most of the opportunity to replace out‐classed varieties with the latest available genetics to improve productivity.”

Mr Gleeson says seed sharing is a great option for growers looking to rapidly change varieties, particularly on a large scale.

“It usually takes growers a number of seasons to bulk up enough seed to change variety on a reasonable scale of production, due to high seed price and often limited volumes,” he said.

“The advantage of seed sharing is that there’s no lag time in reaping the benefits of improved genetic technology.

“For example, for wheat growers looking to maximise their productivity there’s no better way than to utilise the new varieties that have been bred with advantages of higher yields, improved disease resistance or quality.”

For more information, contact Kerrie Gleeson on 0427 958 259 or visit www.ausgraintech.com.

Website: http://www.agtbreeding.com.au

Published: March 4, 2013