P. SMITH

Managing Director, Selected Seeds, Pittsworth, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Recent declines in the Australian Pasture Seed Industry are outlined and reasons for these suggested. The introduction of Plant Breeders Rights in Australia is shown to have had some negative effects for the tropical Pasture Seed Industry. Seed of the more widely used species is, in real terms, cheaper than it was 25 years ago. Some priority areas for the development of new pasture cultivars are indicated, and it is concluded that any new cultivar to be released should be substantially better than earlier cultivars, or fill a different role.