Mr Lawrie says the challenge for New Zealand is maintaining that position of global excellence in the long term - "that's the reason we've put this centre together" - and also to have a succession plan.
"We often rely on researchers who are coming towards the end of their careers. We have to ensure we have younger people coming through.
"Internationally, the number of seed research and extension experts is falling, so part of the centre's focus will be on providing long term funding to support existing research groups and on encouraging and nurturing new talent."
That doesn't mean a halt to training overseas students, which has been important to NZ institutions when funding for training is tight in many countries.
"But we want to invest in people who will stay here and be part of our industry, rather than go back to working on seed species we don't grow in New Zealand, or go back overseas."
As well as being a big export earner for New Zealand, the seed crop industry can also provide a very profitable addition to arable farming rotations.
Mr Lawrie says that while FAR and industry have invested substantially in seed research over the years, it has been hard to meet the needs of the entire industry.
"SIRC will be funded through existing farmer levies and from contributions from the member seed companies and research organisations. Together, these funds will be invested in non-proprietary seed research right across the value chain.
"New Zealand has a relatively small agricultural economy but with all the seed industry players together under one tent, we'll get more traction and we'll build critical mass."
There won't be a fancy head office. SIRC is a virtual centre which, rather than employing staff, will initially be run using existing administrative structures within FAR and participating organisations.
Each organisation has nominated a technical representative to discuss priorities, and research will be contracted out to the most appropriate groups in order to keep overheads to a minimum. FAR's 2017/18 herbage and vegetable seed research projects will be incorporated.
The initial four governance board members to be appointed are: David Birkett (FAR), Nick Pyke (FAR), David Green (NZPBRA) and Barry McCarter (NZGSTA); a fifth independent board member will also be appointed.
Significant gains
The board had its first meeting last August to sort out administration and governance issues and the technical group, comprising representatives of each company and organisation in SIRC, met in mid-September to run through topics as varied as herbage, grass and vege seed production, pest and diseases, and emerging biosecurity issues.
On the back of good access to water and a temperate climate, plus sustained progress on new technologies, New Zealand has enjoyed significant gains in yield - particularly in ryegrass - over the last few years.
"Nowadays yields of 2.5-3 tonnes per hectare are achievable but quality is crucial too. We don't just want to be growing more quantity for the sake of quality alone."
We've build up in-depth understanding of the integration of growth regulators, fertiliser and irrigation.
"The next step is to transfer that sort of knowledge to other species - bearing in mind New Zealand doesn't always have control over the genetics of seed production.
"Especially with vegetable seeds, we're catering for the needs of other markets."
SIRC intends maintaining a close watch on changing demand.
"We have to be vigilant as to what future pasture might look like. There is a whole range of new species that are emerging and need to be addressed."
SIRC won't develop new varieties; that's the role of the independent seed company and will be their proprietary development. "Our focus is more around production: what are the technologies we need to produce better seed more consistently, and in yields that make us competitive in international terms."
Stakeholders in the Seed Industry Research Centre include members of the NZ Plant Breeding and Research Association, some members of the NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association, FAR; Lincoln University, Massey University, AgResearch, Plant & Food Research and AsureQuality. Founding industry members are Agriseeds NZ, PGG Wrightson Seeds, DLF Seeds, Cropmark Seeds, Seed Force, Genetic Technologies, Carter Seed Management and South Pacific Seeds.
