Farmers beware of grass patents

PRESS RELEASE: AgResearch subsidiary Grasslanz is reminding farmers that the grasses they use may be protected by patent. Chief Executive of Grasslanz, John Stewart, says many farmers and growers are not aware of patents on the technology behind products like ryegrass seed with AR1 endophyte.

"Now that so much AR1 ryegrass has been sown throughout the country, it's a good time to remind the industry that this unique technology is protected by intellectual property legislation," said John Stewart.

Seed inoculated with the AR1 endophyte assists the prevention of ryegrass staggers and contributes to higher milk production, better livestock growth rates and fewer dags. The patent is held by Palmerston North company Grasslanz, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celentis, AgResearch's science commercialisation company.

John Stewart says to propagate AR1 seed or on-sell it to someone else without a licence could be an infringement of the patent and may lead to prosecution.

"Uptake of AR1 pastures in NZ has been phenomenal. Farmers have quickly latched onto the many benefits of our technology," said John Stewart.

"New Zealand is recognised as a world leader in endophyte technology and our primary industries are literally millions of dollars better off as a result. Development of this technology was a huge team effort that took the best part of 20 years and there is more potential in novel endophytes," said John Stewart.

"The patent and the royalties from the sale of inoculated seed help ensure the use of endophytes is controlled by New Zealanders for the benefit of New Zealand," said John Stewart.

Grasslanz develops, promotes and licenses proprietary forage cultivars, grass endophytes and applied biotechnology, all of which are delivered to farmers through seed company licensees.