Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today launched a new subterranean clover variety with increased resistance to combat red-legged earth mites.
Speaking at the annual Dowerin Field Days, Mr Redman also announced a key joint partnership to boost investment in breeding sub-clover legume varieties.
"The new variety, Narrikup, was bred by the Department of Agriculture and Food and is a breakthrough variety for industry," he said.
"It is very vigorous and productive, with better resistance to red legged earth mites - the major pest of subterranean clover. Narrikup also has resistance to both known races of clover scorch disease."
Narrikup is best suited to moderately acid, well-drained soils with an annual rainfall of 500-700mm, and where the growing season extends to mid-November.
The Minister said the new variety was expected to increase the productivity of both livestock and grains industries across southern Australia, and would reduce the reliance on insecticides to control red-legged earth mites.
"The last thorough estimate showed red-legged earth mites were causing losses of $228million Australia wide for subterranean clover-based pastures. WA accounted for about one third of the national losses, or about $70million annually," he said.
Mr Redman said the development of new varieties as part of sustainable and profitable farming systems was part of the State Government's commitment to regional economic development.
The Minister said a new five-year joint venture between the Department of Agriculture and Food and Seed Force Pty Ltd would provide investment to develop new sub-clover legumes and produce and market seed. Seed will be sold under Plant Breeders Rights protection.
"This joint venture also aims to bring new and innovative sub-clover legume traits to the national and international agricultural market for the ongoing benefit of the agricultural industry in Western Australia and elsewhere," Mr Redman said.
The Minister said a public expression of interest (EOI) for investment into the department's subterranean clover breeding was conducted last year.
"Seed Force Pty Ltd was the successful applicant from the EOI process, and the joint venture agreement has now been signed," he said.
"The department is a world leader in the development of pasture cultivars. This new partnership with Seed Force combines its technical skills with the marketing and production skills of a commercial operator which would have significant benefits across the sector."
Mr Redman said there was a resurgent interest by farmers in pasture productivity, so the addition of new varieties such as Narrikup would be welcomed.
"The current trend towards Integrated Pest Management in farming aims to reduce the use and reliance on pesticides, and this new subterranean clover variety will assist with that," he said.
Minister's office - 9213 6700
