Seed Information

• Seed Production
• Seed Treatment
• Seed Storage Information
• Biotechnology and GMO's
• Plant Breeders' Rights and End Point Royalties

Instrumental to Pacific Seeds success in the hybrid seed industry has been its commitment and ability to consistently produce high quality seed under a range of seasonal conditions. By adopting and setting industry best practices and utilising proven technological advances, Pacific Seeds has established itself and its seed grower partners as industry leaders.

The production team has selected two major seed production sites, Kununurra, situated on the Ord River, Western Australia and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) in southern NSW. These locations offer a number of agronomic advantages including isolation from many pests and diseases and a relatively constant day length which assists with out of season production.

Seed crops are produced in the Western Australian wheat belt, Northern NSW, South West Queensland and Far North Queensland. The use of these geographically diverse areas allows for the spread of planting throughout different times of the year. This effectively allows for adjustment to be made to targets as outcomes of current production and marketing plans develop.

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'I want to see a more even, active germination in my crops, has Pacific Seeds got something to help me ?'

Seed protectants are an important tool for farmers. Through controlling soil-borne insects via a micro-coating on seed, growers will see even germination, stronger plant development and more even flowering.

Pacific Seeds only treats seed of the highest germination, genetic and physical integrity. Once treated, Pacific Seeds markets this seed under the Elite®

brand.

There is evidence that the true yield potential of a crop is established during the first few weeks after the seeds are sown. This is where Elite® treated seed gives an edge. By protecting the seed and seedling against insect damage in its early stages of growth, the crop potential is maximised.

To meet the increased demands for treated seed, Pacific Seeds has on site a state of the art seed treatment plant. This plant allows Pacific Seeds to apply chemical treatments, available only to professional seed treaters, ensuring the highest quality specifications for seed protectants.

Advantages of selling and planting Pacific Seeds treated seed for both resellers and producers include:

•  Even application of chemicals at the correct rate;
•  Correct treatment levels for maximum efficacy and minimum    environmental impact;
•  A reduction in the health and safety issues of treating seed on farm;
•  A combination of treatments can be applied.

Traditionally the application of chemical dressings to planting seed has been flawed by the use of inaccurate calibration techniques and aging equipment, often resulting in less than ideal protection.

Pacific Seeds pre-treated seed is tested and tagged after treatment, so not only are you receiving the added benefit of convenience and time savings, but a warranty for product performance along with the assurance that all seed is treated by a professional team using state of the art technology.

The demand for Elite® treated seed is increasing as more and more farmers experience the benefits and profits of Elite® treated seed for themselves.

Seed Storage Information

'Seed is a valuable commodity'

Seed is a valuable commodity. Like most biological materials, seed is also vulnerable to many factors that can cause deterioration during storage. Temperature and relative humidity of the storage environment, damage from insects or rodents can all contribute to loss of seed quality. There are however, some basic principles which can help maintain sowing seed in good condition whilst in the seed store or warehouse.

1. Keep it dry
   Seeds are hygroscopic. They absorb moisture from a wet atmosphere and conversely lose moisture into a dry atmosphere. All Pacific Seeds' product is tested and meets strict specification for maximum moisture content prior to packing and dispatch from our processing facilities. Provided it is stored where there is little risk of exposure to rain , especially near open doorways where driving rain or mist is possible , the seed should remain at a suitable storage moisture content .
2. Keep it cool
   Storage of the seed in the coolest part of the facility, separate from feed grain and chemicals will all help to minimize seed deterioration during storage. Storing out of direct sunlight , preferably not on the western side of the shed will minimise heating . Although it is usually only feasible to store pallets of bagged seed 2-3 pallets high, having significant 'head-space' above the seed to the roof can also significantly reduce temperatures.
3. Keep it clean
   The interior of a seed storage facility should be as free as possible of sharp angles, ledges and corners where spilt seed, insects, rodents, other vermin and rubbish can accumulate. Housekeeping must be thorough and done regularly with any seed spills cleaned up immediately and waste / rubbish disposed of by destructive means regularly. Adequate lighting (skylights are ideal) is also a good deterrent to rodents and stored product insects. Regular weekly inspection of seed for evidence of insect or rodent activity is essential. Eradication of these pests before they have become established or caused significant damage to the product or packaging is preferable to writing off stock.
   

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Biotechnology and GMO's

As a provider of new and improved plant varieties for plant, animal and food production chains, Pacific Seeds uses and supports the use of conventional and modern genetic biotechnologies in its R&D programs. This application of traditional and innovative plant genetic technology provides added value and other benefits to growers, processors and consumers of our products.

Although Pacific Seeds has access to the latest modern biotechnology , it recognises the need to work with, and address the concerns its customers, consumers and the wider community may have about the use of such technology.

Pacific Seeds' commitment to scientifically-based research and compliance with biotechnology regulations was clearly demonstrated when we became the first company to voluntarily commit to the Code of Ethical Practice for Biotechnology in Queensland.

No GM material has been incorporated by Pacific Seeds into any of its current varieties of grain sorghum, forage sorghum, maize, sunflower, soybean, sweet corn, oats or wheat species. Selected canola hybrids have incorporated the Roundup Ready trait and are labelled as such. Should you require a GM freedom statement for a non GM Pacific Seeds product or require any further information regarding Pacific Seeds use of GM technology please contact info@pacseeds.com.au

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Plant Breeders' Rights and End Point Royalties

Introduction

The ability of plant breeders to function and invest in Australia is directly related to the degree of incentive that is provided to them by government and industry. Australia now provides two main incentives for investment in Australian plant breeding programs. These are access to intellectual property protection for plant varieties (the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994 and the Australian Patents Act 1990) and secondly, the ability to recoup a return on their investment through the employment of user pays systems such as seed and end point royalty schemes for the use of their intellectual property.

Plant Breeder Rights

Federal Legislation allows for plant varieties to be registered by the Breeder under the Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) Act 1994, with a Register of varieties maintained by the PBR Office in Canberra. Registration of a variety under PBR acknowledges and confers ownership of that
variety, giving the registered owner, or his licensee, exclusive rights to market the variety.

The PBR Act prohibits the selling, bartering or giving away, or the unauthorised commercial propagation, of registered varieties without the consent of the variety owner.

End Point Royalties

The aim of the End Point Royalty (EPR) system is to provide a return to the Breeder to fund ongoing research and the breeding of new and improved varieties.

Farmers wishing to purchase a variety registered and protected under PBR may be required to sign
a contract which requires them to declare crop production details after harvest and pay a royalty
(an EPR) on every tonne of grain produced for sale, transfer, exchange, or on-farm retention.

Farmer obligations

As a farmer you need to be aware of the implications of the PBR legislation. When purchasing seed of a grain or forage crop variety you should read carefully any documentation that is provided with the purchase so that you are aware of the conditions placed on you by your purchase of that seed.

Sowing seed of a grain or forage crop variety with PBR registration/protection can only be bought from the owner of the variety or an agent authorised by the owner. Sowing seed of a registered PBR variety sold by an authorised agent of the owner will usually carry a PBR Tag/ Logo to clearly identify the seed as a PBR variety.

Farmer to farmer trading (sale or purchase) or transfer of seed/grain for sowing without the authorisation of the owner of the variety is prohibited. Such action may make farmers liable to prosecution under the PBR  Act 1994 and court action for damages by the owner of the variety.

Provided the purchase conditions are met and the relevant End Point Royalties are paid, you can sell the production from the PBR protected variety for commercial use as feed or food, and you may retain sowing seed of the variety for your own future planting. However, you cannot sell grain of the variety for use as sowing seed.

Australian Seed Federation supports Plant Breeders Rights

The Australian Seed Federation believes the protection of newly developed plant varieties under Plant Breeders’ Rights is a fundamental requirement if we are to attract investment into public and private plant breeding programs in Australia.

The End Point Royalty system is effectively a Productivity Agreement between the owner (breeder) of the variety and the farmer (user of the technology) as the amount of royalty paid will be a direct reflection of the area sown to the variety and the amount of resulting production.  Higher per hectare yields will increase the reward received by the breeder due to the increased return received by the farmer. Conversely, poor seasonal conditions or lower yielding varieties will reduce the royalty received by the breeder due to lower farmer returns from the area sown to the variety.  The Australian Seed Federation therefore supports the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994 and the use of EPR as the most effective and financially efficient way of ensuring vibrant and globally competitive breeding programs in Australia, and the development of new, locally adapted varieties that allow Australian farmers to remain productive and globally competitive. 

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