Pasture Variety Trial Network PVTN
An
– evidence-based
– credible
– independent
– audited
system for producers to assess pasture varieties
Genetic gain in perennial ryegrass forage yield in Australia
and New Zealand
17800
Total annual yield - kgDM/ha
Genetic gain = 0.76%***
16800
15800
14800
13800
Genetic gain = 0.02 %NS
12800
11800
10800
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
Year of commercialisation
From: Harmer, Stewart & Woodfield 2016
2010
2020
Assumed profit map
Additional $25m in
of-farm value by
2020
2.5% increase in beef
kg/Ha/annum
80% adoption in 10
years
X% increase in dry
matter kg/Ha/annum
Better variety bred –
project B.PBE.00XX –
levy funded
Worst case scenario profit map
Poor adoption due
information market
failure.
0% returnBetter
onvariety
levy
bred – project
B.PBE.00XX – levy funded
investment if market
Uninformed
and/or
10% adoption in 10 years
had or would
have
New
and
better variety of
unaligned retail X% increase in dry matter
xxx bred as part of normal
provided comparable
breeding activities - funded
by firm
agronomist makes poor kg/Ha/annum
or better innovation.
recommendation.
X% increase in dry matter
kg/Ha/annum
Additional $0.5m in of-farm
value by 2020
0.05% increase in beef
kg/Ha/annum
PVTN Independent Sites
• 6 sites
–
–
–
–
–
–
Wangaratta
Blayney
Cressy
Casterton
Bairnsdale
Stockinbingal
PTN 2014
MLA Donor
Company (MDC)
4 sites
Perennial Ryegrass
– Ballarat, Terang, Howlong,
Cressy
PTN 2015
7 sites
Perennial Ryegrass
– Ellinbank, Elliot, Tongala,
Timboon
Annual Ryegrass
– Terang
Italian Ryegrass
– Terang, Howlong
Tall Fescue
– Howlong (2), Armidale
PTN 2016
15 sites
Perennial Ryegrass
– Birregurra, Mt Gambier, Leongatha,
Bega, Ebor
Annual & Italian Ryegrass
– Howlong, Leongatha, Aberdeen,
Manjimup
Tall Fescue
– Mt Gambier, Shepparton
Cocksfoot
– Ballarat, Armidale
Lucerne
– Cowra, Gatton
Sub Clover
– Howlong, Manjimup, Lismore
Chicory
– Leongatha
PVTN + PTN (excl PVTN Registered)
• 68 trials
• 26 sites
• 9 species
Opportunities for researchers
• Risk analysis
– Stability analysis - Persistence data will allow development of
species and variety specific risk models to guide ‘fit for
purpose’ decisions.
– Update models – APSIM – Victorian Perennial Ryegrass.
– On-farm investment analysis based on PTN data.
• Protocol development
– PTN MUST reflect on-farm performance.
– Iterative improvement of system necessary to improve
prediction ability.
• Protocol A predicts X % of on farm outcome, protocol B predicts Y %
PTN – likely outcomes
• Higher producer profits via:
– More informed and profitable decisions
– Low risk pasture investments
• Better targeting of levy funds to genuine market failure
• ‘Kickstart’ breeding in minor species?
• Increased pull through and utilisation of important prebreeding activities
• Increased rates of genetic gain via increased
commercial incentive to ‘be the best’
– This further improves producer profits.