THE Australis Seed Company continued to develop its brand recognition with a strong presence at the 2016 National Horticultural and Innovation Expo at Gatton last month.
Formerly known as Westranell Horticultural Solutions (WHS), the company had plenty of varieties to inspect.
Also in attendance was Australis Seed Company's fulltime farm manager and breeder, international plant breeder Dr Larry Knerr.
Dr Knerr has more than 20 years experience in melon and leafy vegetable breeding.
He is currently managing the company's farm trials in Victoria and helping growers with varietal selections.
Australis Seed Company has made its mark operating outside the confines of major seed companies.
The company has gone from strength to strength and is set to stamp its footprint even deeper into the vegetable, melon and herb market this year with exciting innovations ready to be implemented.
The company will show off some 42 new varieties in 2016 across the broad range of leafy vegetables.
Australis Seed Company director Jan Westra said the company realises those at the coal face of the horticulture industry are key partners in bringing a new product to market.
"While we are very good about thinking about what growers want, the best people to make that judgement are growers,” he said.
“They get to select material at a very early stage and then they can follow the product through its life cycle.
“Breeders are great, but breeders aren't the people that have to grow it and sell it.”