With harvest over for another year in NSW, Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) are once again encouraging farmers to consider Seed Sharing as a low cost way to diversify, update or simply try some improved genetics in their cropping programs for 2018.

An initiative first developed by AGT, Seed Sharing is a licensed farmer to farmer seed trading scheme, making it easy for every grain grower to enjoy access to AGT varieties.

With only one simple form to fill in and return to AGT, a farmer can sell seed they have grown to another farmer for use the following growing season, at a price or arrangement negotiated between them.

“Our latest data shows that Seed Sharing of AGT varieties has almost doubled in comparison to the previous year in NSW,” said James Whiteley, NSW Marketing Manager.  “Likewise, the amount of seed traded between growers nationally was over three times higher. This is a good indication to us that farmers are increasingly finding Seed Sharing an easy and effective way to access strong performing varieties after their initial year of release.”

With AGT firmly focused on improving profitability for farmers, the uptake in Seed Sharing in 2017 was a positive result.  Jason Conn from Wellington, NSW, purchased the high yielding variety Beckom through Seed Sharing for the first time in 2017 with pleasing results.

“The main thing I can say about Seed Sharing is that it is a remarkably easy process with no onerous  paperwork,” said Jason. “Looking over the fence I could see the varieties that were performing well locally and buy them directly from the neighbours in larger volumes than I could have otherwise. We agreed upon the price, filled in the single form for AGT and I could get planting. This meant a quick turnaround in reinvigorating my farming program, with new varieties replacing old ones within the year.”

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Seed Sharing is allowed in all states of Australia for all AGT wheat, triticale and durum varieties except Clearfield Plus varieties.

Dave Jarrott participated in Seed Sharing this year, selling his Scepter seed to neighbouring growers around Deniliquin, NSW. Scepter is a Mace type wheat, with an improved yield and disease resistance package that is becoming increasingly popular in southern NSW after AH classification was secured for this region in 2017.

“As a grower and agronomist I think Seed Sharing is a great way to see improved varieties adopted more quickly by growers,” commended Dave.

“Growers can cost effectively source sufficient quantities of local seed to update their cropping program with better genetics, allowing them to improve their bottom line in just one season”.

To source seed through Seed Sharing, farmers are encouraged to look locally, ask neighbouring farmers and check in local newspapers or on social media for available seed.  Commercial seed is also available through AGT Affiliates.

To learn more about Seed Sharing or to download the relevant forms please visit www.agtbreeding.com.au or contact AGT on (08) 8313 6810.

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