Lucerne Australia
Lucerne Australia is the peak industry body for the Australian Lucerne Seed Industry and incorporates all sectors of the industry from growers to seed processors and marketers.
It leads the industry in all aspects of production research and development. Lucerne Australia has a strong focus on training and development activities and facilitates collaborative projects with statutory entities, government departments and other industry stakeholders.
The industry is made up of over 250 individual seed producing farms with over 80% of production produced in the upper and mid regions of the South-East of South Australia. This encompasses more than 16,000 ha of dryland and irrigated production for both the domestic and export markets with the industry currently estimated to be worth over $100 million per year.
Lucerne seed that is harvested and certified through a certification scheme attracts a research and development levy of $15 per tonne. The expenditure of this pasture seeds levy is managed by AgriFutures Australia.
Lucerne Australia trials and events focus on latest research and technology as well as best-production practices in the industry. This has recently included lucerne seed variety trials, herbicide options, harvesting aids (like pod sealant and PGRs) and water use efficiency and yield responses.
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Danielle Lannin England
The Lucerne Australia is the peak industry body for the lucerne seed industry in Australia. It represents the interests of lucerne growers in aspects of production and raises funds to support the association through membership fees and levies. There are currently 80 grower members and over 40 associate members.
Lucerne Australia has a strong focus on training and development activities and facilitates co-operation with statutory entities, government departments and industry stakeholders.
Lucerne Australia also has a strong focus on research trials. Recent trials include the Setaria trial, the White Fringe Weavil trial, a Seed Variety trial and a newly launched In-Field Fertiliser trial.
The ‘In-Field Fertiliser trial’ is funded by Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) with communications and extension funding successfully obtained from Caring for our Country. This three-year research trial commenced in April 2012 and will provide a clear picture to which fertilisers deliver maximum benefits for lucerne seed producers. The trial will determine which fertilisers provide maximum seed yield and optimum seed yield. The primary outcome is to enable growers to more cost effectively fertilise crops which will potentially lower cost of production and increase margins across the industry.
Our events focus on latest research and technology as well as best-production practices in the industry.
The executive committee comprises five grower representatives and three associate members and three portfolios have been set-up within the strategic plan. Sub-committees also report to the executive on issues like research trials, noxious weeks such as golden dodder and phyto-sanitary.
Lucerne Australia aims to incorporate all relevant sectors of the Australian lucerne seed industry and has formed a membership body that acts in the best interests of the industry as a whole.
