Breeding & research

The significant contribution of pastures to a successful, financially sound farming economy is reflected by the level of science and research which goes into the breeding and evaluation of pastures. The diverse range of species, the number of cultivars and the variation of characteristics in cultivars, ensures farmers have access to the ‘best fit’ pasture options for their farming practice.

Investing in breeding

The PGG Seeds breeding facility is based in New Zealand, with extensive off site evaluation programmes in Victoria, New South Wales and Southern Queensland. Ceres Research Centre, the breeding and research facility for PGG seeds, was the first private plant breeding station set up in New Zealand in 1973. Today, there are in excess of 50 products carrying the Ceres and AgResearch Grasslands name in the international market. Twenty years after the initiation of the breeding and evaluation programme, Australian farmers now have access to products with beneficial advances in pest and disease tolerance, for better persistence, productivity and reliable animal performance.

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Ceres Research Centre

Ceres Research Centre, the breeding and research facility of PGG Seeds was the first private plant breeding station set up in New Zealand in 1973.

Following the merge between PGG and Wrightson, Ceres is now part of the expanded
PGG Wrightson Seeds research group.

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AgResearch and Grasslanz Technology, New Zealand

PGG Wrightson Seeds has as exclusive long-term strategic plant breeding relationship with AgResearch and Grasslanz Technology (an AgResearch subsidiary) in the areas of ryegrass and tall fescue. This joint venture called Grasslands Innovation was formed to discover, develop and market forage innovations internationally.

From small beginnings

Understanding the breeding process is useful when considering the purchase of a new product. All PGG Seeds products have been progressed through each step in the breeding programme, including extensive off-site evaluation in different environments and farming systems throughout Australia. Farmers can buy PGG Seeds cultivars with confidence knowing they come from a highly developed breeding programme and are backed by strong technical support to retailers and farmers alike.

The plant breeding process

The breeding programme includes

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Endophyte development

Endophyte is a fungus found in many grass species. The fungal strands grow between the plant cells, and transmit themselves to the next grass generated by growing into the developing seed head and then growing into the subsequent grass seedling.

Understanding the impact of endophytes (both in ryegrass and tall fescue) has lead to the development of new ‘novel’ endophytes. These novel endophytes aim to reduce the negative affects on stock health. Current commercial endophytes include:

AR1 – ryegrass (AgResearch)
Provides a safer pasture with excellent animal performance while providing a moderate range of insect protection. Care is needed in areas with high Black Beetle numbers as AR1 only gives moderate resistance to this pest.

AR37 – ryegrass (AgResearch)
Provides greater insect control than any other commercially available endophyte, providing protection against Argentine Stem Weevil, Pasture Mealy Bug, Root Aphid and adult Black Beetle. Pot trials show good control of Porina^#. Has excellent animal performance (similar to AR1) and low risk of ryegrass staggers.
^{# the level of field protection is still to be confirmed}

Endo5 – ryegrass (AgResearch)
Endo5 pastures (as with AR1) contain no Lolitrem B, but have good resistance to Argentine Stem Weevil, Pasture Mealy Bug, Black Beetle and tolerance to Root Aphid, through the presence of low levels of Ergovaline. Endo5 pastures should persist better than AR1 pastures in areas where Black Beetle or Root Aphid is a problem.

NEA2 - ryegrass
Thought to provide insect protection similar to Endo5. NEA2 pastures contain low levels of Peramine and Ergovaline and very low levels of Lolitrem B.

Standard (High), Standard (Low) Endophyte
With the introduction of novel endophytes, this endophyte option is used predominantly where tough conditions may affect persistence. Stock grazing these pastures may suffer from ryegrass staggers and reduced weight gains during the warm part of the year. These effects may be reduced by adjusting summer/autumn grazing management.

MaxP^® – tall fescue (AgResearch)
MaxP^® is a novel tall fescue endophyte that improves the ability of tall fescue pastures to handle pest attack and moisture stress. Tall fescue with MaxP^® endophyte offers improved persistence compared with tall fescue without endophyte.

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PGG Seeds extension sites

These sites throughout the eastern side of Australia including Tasmania are used to evaluate current commercial varieties and the potential of breeding lines. This work is conducted by Brigid Watson, Extension Agronomist. These sites are also used for demonstration and educational purposes. They provide local data to assist retailers in cultivar selection for their specific farming region.

Queensland DPI – Gatton and Mutdapilly
Evaluation of breeding and commercial varieties is contracted out to assess sub-tropical adaptability.

VICTAS and NSW DPI
A Government-managed, independent, trialing system for the evaluation of commercial species.

Terang DemoDairy
A number of PGG Seeds varieties, including forage brassica and herb mixes, are under evaluation in a commercial dairy farming situation.

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