SEED HARVESTING

J.F. & L.R. LONGWORTH & SONS
Longworths – Leaders in the production, harvesting, processing and supply of high quality Paspalum and Carpet Grass Seed to the world since 1935.

History
The invention in 1934 of the comb machine for grass seed harvesting by Frank Longworth (1885 – 1978) saw the beginning of the commercial harvesting of Paspalum and later Carpet Grass Seed in Australia.

Originally harvested from Nowra in the south to the Queensland border, Paspalum and Carpet Grass Seed harvesting is now predominantly carried out in the Manning Valley and surrounds as well as he Northern Rivers area of New South Wales.

Continued research and development over the past 70 years has seen Longworths remain the leaders in both harvesting and processing techniques of Paspalum and Carpet Grass Seed in Australia.

Harvesting Methods
The extended width comb machine is mounted to the front of a four wheel drive. The vehicle is driven through the grass at 20 – 25 Km/hr. The seed head passes between the combs and the seed is ‘stripped’ off and caught in the bin at the rear. The machine only stripes the seed which is ripe. The remaining seed will then ripen and can be harvested a number of weeks later, maximizing the return from the crop. The grass is not affected by this process and will continue to grow normally.

The seed is transported to the processing plant at Coopernook where it is dried and processed to high export standards.

Markets
Carpet Grass is predominantly used in domestic lawn seed mixes, parks and gardens, and large acreages such as aerodromes, highway verge grassing and mine reclamation works. Paspalum is used for stock feed grass, and is often grown under irrigation in drier regions.

The traditional longstanding market has been the U.S.A. Over recent years new markets have been developed into South America, Asia the Middle East and South Africa as well as increased interest from domestic buyers.

Care of Your Property
As farm owners, as well as breeders of prime beef cattle, we understand the importance of proper care and diligence whist harvesting seed on your property. This is displayed in such things as the closing of gates. All staff work as part of a team and are fully supervised.

Longworths share the concern of many landholders at the spread of noxious weeds such as Giant Parramatta Grass. Great care and effort is taken to avoid this weed as the very next farm we harvest could be our own.

The use of wide harvesting machines with driver operated electric machine height adjusting means less wheel tracks and less likelihood of flattened sections of grass on your paddocks.

Contact Persons
Jack Longworth: 6556 3159
David Longworth: 6556 3463
Mobile: 0417 073 187
Peter Longworth: 6553 9796
Mobile: 0438 950 900