Commercialisation of improved hay oat varieties in southern Australia

Abstract

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) are the joint owners of new hay oat varieties emanating from SARDI s oat breeding program. SARDI was seeking a unique approach to varietal commercialisation. Rather than commercialising each oat hay variety as they become ready for release, SARDI was seeking longer term support from a company or companies closely aligned with the hay industry. Therefore the commercial license was granted for a period of five years rather than on a variety by variety basis. The licensee s role would be to support the development and commercialisation of oat varieties suitable for hay production. The requirements of the successful licensee were to provide: 1) a national focus or be capable of expanding to become a national body, 2) alignment with the export and domestic hay industry, 3) comment to SARDI s oat hay breeding program from end users and hay producers, 4) unlimited access to the varieties, and establishment of an alliance with a recognised seed producing organisation. The primary objective of this alliance is to provide low cost, quality assured seed, in large volumes to hay producers. The commercial license was granted to the Australian Export Company (AEXCO) in 2001. This company was initally made up of eight export oaten hay processors, seven from South Australia and one from Victoria. Membership of AEXCO has expanded to 18 and includes new members in Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales. In 2002 AEXCO signed an alliance with the Australian Field Crop Association (AFCA) whose primary function is to multiply and distribute seed. Wintaroo was the first of the varieties to be released in 2002 and 1392 t of seed was produced despite a national drought. This seed was sown in all four states and produced a total of 60,000 t of export hay. About 3500 t of seed was produced for hay production in 2004. The impact of this commercial strategy has resulted in widespread uptake of Wintaroo representing 25% of national export hay production.vokMyynti MTT tietopalvelu