lucerne flower lucerne flowerlucerne organisation workshoplucerne paddock - with irrigationlucerne crop in paddock

Our Priorities

Funding obtained for research and development:

  • Received RIRDC funding for “Economic Analysis of the Australian Lucerne Seed Industry”. (RIRDC funding)
  • Granted RIRDC for “Development & assessment of leafcutter bee survival, management and reproduction in Southern Australia”. (RIRDC funding)
  • Organised and hosted a Expo called “Irrigation for the Future” (2008) with White Clover growers & MacKillop Farm Management Groups (RIRDC funding)
  • Organised and hosted a Pollination Symposium (2009) with HISPIC (Honey Industry strategic planning committee implementation committee (RIRDC funding)
  • Setaria & Panicum trial set up and completed with RIRDC
  • Secured funding from RIRDC for a three-year centre pivot trial Drop tube irrigated lucerne seed, herbage yield and plant persistence evaluation.
  • Funding from RIRDC for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 2010 symposium
  • Funding from RIRDC and SE NRM Board for the 2011 ‘Seed Quality’ Symposium.

Projects that executive and sub-committees have completed include:

  • Formalized constitution and establishment of data base of members.
  • Appointment of executive officer.
  • Surveyed growers /members and prioritized issues.
  • Developed website and produced quarterly newsletter for better communication to members and industry stakeholders.
  • Developed a relationship with the APVMA (Australian Pesticide & Veterinary Medicines Association) and is now recognised as an industry body to consult with on relevant issues.
  • Gained representation on the RIRDC pasture seeds committee.
  • Formed a Dodder Management Plan in conjunction with NRM Board and White Clover Growers Association.
  • Overhauled phytosanitary scheme in conjunction with PIRSA, SARDI, Growers, Marketers and AQIS.
  • Representation as required by the executive committee or executive officer at Field Days.
  • Lucerne variety seed and herbage yield & persistence trial established.
  • “Economic Analysis of the Australian Lucerne Seed Industry” study completed.
  • “Development and assessment of leafcutter bee survival, management and reproduction in Southern Australia” study.
  • Representation on the Tintinara / Coonalpyn water allocation planning committee.
  • Representation on the Tatiara water allocation planning committee.
  • Representation on the South Australia Irrigators Council, National Irrigators Council.
  • Worked with SA Government to develop a practical policy for alfalfa sprout seed production and regulation.
  • Working with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to develop a national Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seed Sprout industry.
  • Regular participation in the Australian pollination industry workshops in Canberra. From this, a $391,000 Pollination industry Action Partnership project was developed.
  • Developed a White Fringe Weevil Trial and ongoing research has been conducted with the industry.
  • Provided access to study tours for members to the USA.
  • Surveyed grower members on cost and techniques of honey bee pollination in lucerne crops.
  • Lobbied State and Federal parliaments of member’s issues, such as drainage and the reflows projects.
  • Organised and hosted an Expo called “Irrigation for the Future” (2008) with White Clover growers and MacKillop Farm Management Groups.
  • Organised and hosted a Pollination Symposium (2009) with HISPIC (Honey Industry strategic planning committee implementation committee.
  • Setaria and Panicum trial set up & secure funding with the aid of RIRDC.
  • Successfully applied for RIRDC funding for a three-year centre pivot trial (drop tube irrigated lucerne seed, herbage yield & plant persistence evaluation).
  • Developed the Lucerne Leader, a professional, quarterly newsletter.
  • Distribution of the executive meeting summary to members monthly, to keep abreast on what is going on at executive level.
  • Developed a strategic plan for Lucerne Australia and hosted industry workshop to gain feedback from industry stakeholders.
  • Developed a web-based forum for growers to better communicate with one another.
  • Developing network with plant breeders, to be able to give growers and members better feedback on what is happening at an experimental lines.
  • Providing strategic help with pollination trials with Australian Bee Services.
  • Joined the Ag Excellence Alliance to improve exposure in the agriculture industry.
  • Completed a member survey on Golden Dodder.
  • Developed, launched and provided all members with an industry-first cost of production tool.
  • Hosted a Business Skills Day in partnership with Rabobank.
  • Currently developing an industry standard contract for the lucerne seed industry in partnership with growers, seed marketers and associates through a sub-committee.

Conferences and trial days:

  • Lucerne Australia Irrigation for the future Symposium and Expo (2008)
  • Lucerne Australia Pollination Symposium (2009)
  • Lucerne Australia Integrated Pest Management Symposium (2010)
  • Lucerne Australia ‘Seed Quality’ Symposium (September 2011)
  • Hosted information session on re Hunter River.
  • Golden Dodder Industry workshop.
  • Annual trial site day field walks.
  • Contracts Forum (2011)
  • Lucerne Australia and Rabobank Business Skills Day (June 2011)
  • Cost of Production for members (November 2011)

 Relationships and networks established

  • Shannon Mueller, University California Fresno, CA  
  • Don Plowman, Deputy Chief Executive, Primary Industries and Biosecurity, PIRSA
  • SAAA (South Australian Apiarists Association)
  • AFIA (Australian Fodder Industry Association)
  • White Clover Growers Association
  • Mackillop Farm Management Group
  • Ag Excellence Alliance
  • SARDI (South Australian Research and Development Institute)
  • CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific Industry Research Organisation)
  • ASA (Australian Seeds Authority)
  • ASF (Australian Seeds Federation)
  • GCA (Grains Council of Australia)
  • SAFF (South Australian Farmers Federation)
  • NFF (National Farmers Federation)
  • Pollination Australia
  • SAIA (South Australian Irrigators Association)
  • NIC (National Irrigators Council)
  • RIRDC (Rural Industry Research and Development Corporation)
  • GRDC (Grain Research and Development Corporation)
  • RDC’s (Pastures Australia)
  • ISF (International Seeds Federation)
  • APVMA (Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority)
  • AQIS (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service)
  • DAFF (Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)
  • USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
  • SENRMB (South East Natural Resource Management Board)
  • HISPIC (Honeybee Industry Strategic Plan Implementation Committee)
  • FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand)