AgriFutures Australia | Our vision is to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries.

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2025 Rural Women's Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in the Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra, ACT.

GREAT HALL, PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA 08.09.26

2026 Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement

The National Winner and Runner Up of the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the Great Hall, Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

News and event image for Cover crops could ease the shift from perennial seed to annual crops

Pasture Seeds

Cover crops could ease the shift from perennial seed to annual crops

Transitioning an ageing perennial forage seed stand into annual cropping can be difficult, particularly when the original crop persists or weeds establish after termination.

2 min read

News and event image for New harvest options could help secure Australia’s medic seed supply

Pasture Seeds

New harvest options could help secure Australia’s medic seed supply

Annual medics provide valuable livestock feed and nitrogen for following crops, particularly on alkaline soils across southern Australia. However, seed production is increasingly constrained by slow harvesting, high labour requirements and reliance on ageing machinery.

3 min read

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News and event image for Earlier swathing opens a new pathway for subterranean clover seed harvest

Pasture Seeds

Earlier swathing opens a new pathway for subterranean clover seed harvest

Subterranean clover’s ability to bury its seed supports pasture persistence but makes commercial seed harvesting difficult. The industry relies on ageing Horwood-Bagshaw (HB) suction harvesters, which collect seed from fully dry crops after repeated tillage and raking.

4 min read

News and event image for Strategic irrigation stress can lift lucerne seed yield and returns

Pasture Seeds

Strategic irrigation stress can lift lucerne seed yield and returns

More water does not necessarily produce more lucerne seed. A five-year trial near Keith, South Australia, found that strategically delaying irrigation until plants showed early signs of leaf drop generally increased seed yield and consistently delivered the highest gross margin.

4 min read

News and event image for Rethinking bluegreen aphid control as insecticide resistance spreads

Pasture Seeds

Rethinking bluegreen aphid control as insecticide resistance spreads

Bluegreen aphid is presenting a different challenge. Resistant populations have now been identified at 21 additional locations across southern Australia, including many lucerne-growing areas. Resistance to commonly used organophosphate, carbamate and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides means previous control approaches may no longer be reliable

3 min read

News and event image for Know your pest pressure: Monitoring is the foundation for managing lucerne seed wasp

Pasture Seeds

Know your pest pressure: Monitoring is the foundation for managing lucerne seed wasp

Lucerne seed wasp (LSW) is a serious pest in lucerne crops causing damage that is difficult to see in the paddock. Its larvae feed inside developing seed, meaning losses may not become apparent until harvest, cleaning or seed delivery, when it is too late to intervene. Each wasp represents a lost seed, with infested seeds removed by cleaning sheds along with other impurities.

3 min read

Our vision is to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries. Since our inception in 1990, AgriFutures Australia, formerly RIRDC, has grown and developed alongside our 13 levied industries and we’re honoured to continue this important role in supporting the growth and overall success of Australian agriculture.

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