Summary

Siriver is the most popular and important variety of pasture seed to plant, Figures from the Australian Seed Authority (ASA) show that from 2013 -2017, hectares planted to public varieties, Siriver makes up 81.77% and the total area of varieties 10.38%.
A significant opportunity has been identified in collaboration with SARDI for the sustainability and development of the Lucerne variety – Siriver. Lucerne Australia have been informed that CSIRO have 0.960grams of breeders’ seed left, with a proposal to extend this seed bank over a three year period has been made with Dr Alan Humphries of SARDI.

Program

Pasture Seeds

Research Organisation

Lucerne Australia Inc.

Objective Summary

The project will sustain the hybrid variety of Siriver to growers and marketers that has been in existence since the late 1970’s. The project will develop a strategy for producing a minimum of 3kg a year for two years (6kg in total) from the 0.960grams of breeders seed left.
It will create an even playing field in the domestic and international pasture market. In the final year of seed production, it is proposed that the seed is stored by the Australian Pastures Genebank to ensure good quality seed is available for 50-100 years.