OVERVIEW OF THE AUSTRALIAN HERBAGE SEED INDUSTRY
Australia produces a wide range of herbage seeds, from temperate to tropical and humid to semi-arid. Domestically, the major herbage seed markets are for pasture grasses and legumes adapted to medium-low rainfall areas which are the major source of Australia’s production from beef cattle and sheep. Substantial export markets have developed for Australian herbage seeds, but remain volatile even for major export crops like lucerne (Medicago sativa) from temperate areas and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) from subtropical/tropical areas. Turf and amenity cultivars have dominated herbage seed imports, but are now being increasingly grown by Australian producers. The impact of recent structural changes in the wider Australian seed industry is also discussed.