History

NARACOORTE SEEDS

Naracoorte Seeds was founded in 1962 by John Clarkson (dec).

The purpose of the business was to clean and sell seed for local seed producers, predominantly Phalaris, Cocksfoot, Fescue, Strawberry Clover, Shaftal and Sub Clover.

In 1980, after 14 years with Wright Stephenson & Co., (now P.G.G Wrightson Seeds) Bob and Gini Tidy purchased Naracoorte Seeds. Around this time Centre Pivot Irrigators were introduced which significantly increased the amount of seed produced in the area. SA Seed Marketers was established to Promote, Export and Trade seed around Australia and Internationally.

In 1990 Gambier Seeds was established in Mt Gambier as an outlet to supply seed to farmers and merchandise outlets in the lower SE of SA and Western Vic. With Plant Variety Rights/PVR being introduced into Australia in the late 80’s many new varieties have been introduced to the market place. Naracoorte Seeds prides itself in assisting farmers in selecting varieties of seed which best suits their needs from the large number of varieties promoted by all seed companies.

Being based in the South East of South Australia and having spent over 12 years in the seed industry I feel qualified to say that the Company motto of “Keeping Seed Simple” and value for money is the formula that works for the clients we share a relationship with.

Naracoorte Seeds has now been in business for over 50 years and I am proud to say Naracoorte Seeds/SA Seed Marketers is today one of the largest private Seed Companies in the Australian Seed Industry.

With Joshua Rasheed (our lucerne seed trader, seed production manger and pasture adviser) and his wife Emma buying into business, I am confident we will continue to prosper and grow and service the ever changing needs of the Seed Industry.

Jamie Tidy
Managing Director 2010 – present

Our team

  • Jamie Tidy

    Grew up around seed through his father’s involvement in the seed industry for over 40 years and finally entered the…

  • Josh Rasheed

    Started with Naracoorte Seeds in November 2011 and with his wife Emma became part owners in the business. Now Joshua…

  • Dylan Brodie

    Dylan manages the seed production portfolio for Naracoorte Seeds which includes contracted multiplication for domestic and international clients. Since joining…

  • Peta Tidy

    Peta Tidy is not only an owner of the business but has also taken over as the Chief Financial Officer.…

  • Mark Williams

    Mark is the logistics/export manager and has been with our company for over 38 years. Mark has an excellent all…

  • Will Thorp

    Will grew up on a small beef farm in North-East Victoria. After finishing school he  studied agriculture at CSU in…

  • Emilie Brodie

    Emilie started at Naracoorte Seeds in July 2022 as the Inventory Manager, handling all incoming seed. She also supports the…

  • Anna Russell

    Anna joined Naracoorte Seeds in early 2023 as our Payroll/Accounts Administrator. She was born and raised in the South East…

Products

  • Summer Fodder Crops

    Summer fodder crops are an extremely valuable out of…

  • Chicory

    In the Southern Region we have a lot of…

  • WHITE CLOVER

    Locally white clover is known to only persist under…

  • RED CLOVER

    Red clover can be used in irrigated pasture mixes…

  • Forage cereals

    Forage cereals are a very reliable option for prolific…

  • Perennial Herbs

    Perennial Herbs fill a niche market in our region.…

  • Lucerne

    Lucerne is commonly known as the king of forages.…

  • Medics

    Medics, are self-regenerating annual clover varieties that grow in…

  • Annual Clovers

    Annual Clovers are almost always used as the legume…

  • Subterranean Clover

    Subterranean Clover is an extremely valuable self-regenerating annual clover.…

  • Tall fescue

    Tall fescue has the ability to not only survive,…

  • Cocksfoot

    Cocksfoot is a perennial grass that is largely suited…