Planting the seeds for growing success

TASMANIA’S grass seed industry has expanded significantly on the back of increasing demand, and over the last few years Cressy farmers Tom and Will Green have been quick to get on board.

The brothers run a farming operation spread over six properties in the Cressy district and grass seed is now their biggest crop. This season they are growing 300ha of annual and Italian variety rye-grasses.

Tom said they started growing grass seed a number of years ago but their overall area and production has increased on the back of good per hectare returns.

Grass seed is harvested during January and with a relatively short window to get the crop off, the Greens have recently invested in onfarm infrastructure and harvesting equipment to help improve efficiency of their annual production of about 600 tonnes of seed.

Tom said to prevent losses from rain and higher moisture levels they have also converted a farm shed into a drying facility.

“When you add up what a rain in January can cost in terms of yield losses it’s definitely worth the investment,” he said.

“Now is the most important time for grass seed, you need to look after it really well at the end to guarantee good yields.”

As well as grass seed, the Greens’ cropping program this year also includes 140ha of poppies, 100ha of potatoes, 100ha of peas and 70ha of broccoli.

They have also just planted 120ha of hemp.

Read more in Tasmanian Country, out Friday