Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

Research Compendium 1993 - 1994

Research Project

AN INTEGRATED EXTENSION MODEL FOR NEW PASTURE PLANT CULTIVARS

Objectives

• To increase the rate of uptake by farmers of newly released pasture seed cultivars.
• To develop a model for release of new pasture cultivars based on coordination of production, marketing and extension in chosen target areas.
• To comprehensively evaluate the model so as to allow definition of factors affecting uptake of technology by farmers.

Background

RIRDC's concern about implementation projects involving new pasture cultivar development highlighted a need for more effective models for release. Existing problems and concerns have been outlined in the reports to RIRDC 'Development of National Projects in Extension' and 'A Survey of Australian Demand for Temperate Pasture Seeds'.

A system of release that avoided possible restriction of new cultivars to low volume niche markets with premium prices and high add-on costs is a desired outcome for funding bodies supporting public breeding efforts with the expectation of gaining income from royalty streams.

It is also desirous that new cultivars with superior merit over existing lines be more rapidly and widely taken up by farmers to maximise the flow of benefits to them.

Research

The project was implemented by developing an integrated model for the commercial release of new pasture cultivars. Three suitable new cultivars were selected and two main target areas chosen in which to comprehensively implement and evaluate the model for release.

Outcome

Commercially, the project was very successful in gaining rapid and widespread uptake of all three new cultivars both in the target areas and over a wider region of temperate Australia. This was despite a particularly difficult period in the pasture seed industry with low profitability and widespread drought in the second year of the project.

A survey is currently being conducted both within and outside of the target areas involved in the project in an attempt to evaluate the effect of the model; and to further define the factors behind farmers decisions to renovate pasture and use new cultivars.

RIRDC Project No: SED-5A

RESEARCHER: Eugene Rebellato

ORGANISATION: SEEDCO

PHONE: 08 234 9333

Last updated: 10 October 1996
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Index of RIRDC Projects URL
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/compendium/93-94/index-b.html