Working on the next generation

AGF Seeds’products areenjoying strong successes in the marketplacebut already the nextgenerationof seeds is on the way.

The company’s six-hectare research site at Smeaton is now home to hundreds of differenttrial plots which will yield long-termreplacements for thelikes of Pinnacle annual ryegrass, BigRed long season wheat and Tillage Radish.

Researchand developmentand Production Manager

BrendanTorpy said AGFSeeds wascontinuously improving and introducing new products.

“Because of theleadtimetobring products to market, we have to be looking at thenext products to come four or five years in advance,” he said.

The trials at Smeaton arethe firststep in theresearch and developmentprocess

“Genetics from partners across the globe andthose developed from AGF’sown breeding program are trialledinternallyagainstkey commercial lines Varieties that meet keycriteria requirements areentered intonational trial networks such as GDRC, FAR, Pasture Trial Network, and independent trials.

This ensures all the genetics aretested in arangeof environments across Australiatosee if they will be successful,” Brendansaid.

BigRedemerged through theresearch programand is in itsfirst commercialyear.

“It looks very promising that it will achieve good grain yields andstrong genetic resistance to keyfungal diseases such as septoria and leaf/striperust,” Brendan said.

Another successfuloutcome of the R&D program is tillage radish whichhas given endusers agreat late summer,autumn and winter feed optionwhileimproving soilstructurefor the followingcrop.

Pinnacleannual ryegrass continues to show really good winterproductionand is still producing good quality grassfor hayand silage optionsinto latespring and earlysummer.

“Lookingtothe futurethereare multiplecereal, oilseed and foragelines that areshowing promise to make it to the commercial marketinthe coming years Some areearly in theirdevelopment but we have high hopesofsuccessthat will lead to products that benefit farmers.”