Volume 27, 359

Tropical Grasslands (1993) Volume 27, 359–366

Tropical pasture establishment.
10. Satisfying industry's pasture seed requirements

J.P. RAINS¹, J.M. HOPKINSON² and S.P. TREGEA³

¹Southedge Seeds, Mareeba, Queensland
²QDPI, Walkamin Research Station, Walkamin, Queensland
³Queensland Agricultural Seeds, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

The market for tropical pasture seeds, though enlarged by export sales, is too small and diverse to sustain an entirely stable seed industry. Gross fluctuations in supply, demand, and hence price characterise the industry. Demand changes with the fortunes of the grazing industry and is sensitive to its mood. Supply depends on growers' market predictions and on seasonal weather. Popular lines are normally readily supplied but lack of incentives discourages production of lines with small market prospects. Average prices, adjusted for inflation, are about 40% of their 1970 values, the change reflecting increased production efficiency. Carry-over buffers fluctuation, and supply and price are most stable in lines deliberately and consistently carried over. Seed quality is still variable but improves with growing professionalism by suppliers and discrimination by users. Statutory minimum quality standards seem likely to be replaced by voluntary standards. Genetic quality control through certification has only limited support or applicability. Recent introduction of Plant Variety Rights and exclusive licenses has attracted much controversy. It is too early to assess their impact. The first cultivars to be licensed have so far had small sales; extra costs due to PVR have reduced their competitiveness; and returns to the developer have been minuscule.