Overview
- The International Herbage Seed Group (IHSG) conference delivered new ideas on crop management, seed production and industry innovation, with both delegates already applying lessons in their own work and businesses.
- From global research to paddock practice, the experience helped AgriFutures Pasture Seeds Program bursary recipients accelerate learning, strengthen industry networks and identify opportunities to improve Australian pasture seed production.
Support from the AgriFutures Pasture Seeds Program through the AgriFutures Pasture Seeds travel bursary enabled pasture seed industry participants Sam Croser and Lachlan Godson to attend the 12th International Herbage Seed Group (IHSG) Conference in Launceston, Tasmania.
The conference brought together researchers, growers and industry professionals from around the world to share knowledge on sustainable production, agronomic innovation and the future of pasture seed systems.
For Sam and Lachlan, the experience delivered more than technical presentations and field tours. It provided practical insights they could apply in their own businesses, valuable industry connections and a broader perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing pasture seed production.
Building confidence through learning
South Australian pasture seed grower Sam Croser runs sheep and cattle alongside cropping on high-rainfall country with heavy soils in the state's south-east. Seeking an enterprise better suited to paddocks that can be too wet for conventional cropping, he began producing clover seed before expanding into ryegrass seed production.
While keen to attend IHSG, the timing coincided with one of the busiest periods on the farm.
"I was keen to go, but November is an intense time of year with shearing, selling lambs, trading cattle, cutting hay and silage, and managing crop spraying programs," Sam said.
"AgriFutures helped make it possible."
Arriving with an open mind, Sam found particular value in learning from Tasmania's specialist seed growers and agronomists. The combination of presentations and farm visits demonstrated how research translates into practical decisions around crop varieties, fertiliser, grazing, growth regulators, windrowing and harvest timing.
For Queensland-based pasture agronomist and researcher Lachlan Godson, the conference was an outstanding professional development opportunity.
Although much of the program focused on temperate pasture systems, he was struck by the similarities to the tropical and subtropical pasture industries he works in - with species like Desmanthus spp. and Stylosanthes. Climate variability, seed quality, stand persistence, weed control and market pressures were common themes regardless of geography.
"The conference reinforced how connected the global pasture seed industry really is," Lachlan said. "Many of the challenges being discussed overseas are the same challenges we're working through in Australia."
Shared challenges and global opportunities
One topic that stood out for both delegates was the growing challenge of chemical resistance and the declining availability of weed, pest and disease control products.
Delegates from Europe, North America, Asia and South America spoke about tightening regulations, resistance and market pressures affecting seed production systems. Discussions highlighted the increasing importance of integrated management approaches, including crop rotation, cultivation, grazing pressure and crop competition.
For Sam, the discussions highlighted opportunities for Australian producers.
"As other regions lose access to chemistry, there could be opportunities for Australian growers to fill some of those gaps," he said.
At the same time, he emphasised that pasture seed production remains a specialised enterprise.
"It is probably easier to grow an average crop than it is to grow a good crop. Timing is everything. A day or two can make a difference."
Putting new ideas into practice
Since returning home, Sam has already started applying some of the lessons from the conference. Changes include adjusting lock-up timing in ryegrass crops, reviewing the use of nitrogen and growth regulators, and introducing new approaches to grazing management and moisture monitoring to support better harvest decisions.
Rather than adopting practices directly from irrigated Tasmanian systems, Sam is adapting them to suit his dryland conditions.
"I can't push the boundaries as hard because I can't guarantee the water," he said. "But it was good to see what can be achieved and then work out what fits for me."
The experience also helped him better understand the differences between growing pasture for biomass and growing pasture for seed.
"One of the biggest benefits was learning from people who have already done the hard work. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Pasture seed production has been refined around the world, particularly in New Zealand and Tasmania, so it makes sense to learn from what others have done, adopt the practices that work and adapt them to your own farming system."
For Sam, the conference has accelerated his learning.
"It has put me a few years ahead rather than having to learn everything from mistakes," he said.
The value of industry connections
Beyond the technical content, both delegates highlighted the value of building relationships with growers, agronomists, researchers and seed companies.
For Lachlan, conversations with delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North and South America provided valuable insight into international trends and future opportunities for the industry.
The event also provided an opportunity to discuss Pasture Portal, an online decision-support platform that helps producers and advisers identify pasture species and cultivars suited to their rainfall, soil type and region. As the platform expands into temperate production systems, the conference helped strengthen relationships with growers, researchers and industry specialists working directly with these species.
Sam also returned home with a valuable network of contacts he can call on for advice and support.
"The main difference is I've now got a network of professionals I can contact and learn from," he said.
Practical learning with lasting value
Both delegates agreed that seeing research in action was one of the most valuable aspects of attending IHSG. The combination of technical presentations, field demonstrations and conversations with experienced growers helped bridge the gap between research and practice.
Lachlan returned with new ideas to investigate in northern Australian pasture systems, while Sam came home with greater confidence to refine and expand his pasture seed enterprise. Their experiences highlight the value of bringing growers and industry participants together to share knowledge, build networks and accelerate the adoption of innovation.
As Sam puts it: "Go to a conference, meet other people and listen to their ideas. You can learn a lot from seeing what others are doing and applying it to your own situation."
