NARROMINE TRANSPLANTS

PO Box 123 (120 Eumungerie Road)
NARROMINE NSW 2821
Ph: (02) 6889 2111
Fax: (02) 6889 2500

Web: http://www.transplants.com.au/index.html

Mobile 0427 253 165
E-mail: d.cliffe@transplants.com.au or admin@transplants.com.au

• David Cliffe, Managing Director
• Alex Cliffe, Operations Manager
  
  

Misthouse, Greenhouse and Cuttings at Narromine Transplants

David Cliffe, Managing Director

David Cliffe has been involved in horticulture for 35 years within the seed and nursery industry.

For twenty years, David worked for the Yates Seed Group, as a field officer and parent seed production manager at Griffith, Dubbo, Narromine, Ayr and the Ord River, then as Farm Manager of the Dubbo and Narromine research stations. The amalgamation of two of Yates Seeds research stations into a single entity at Narromine and the first manager of that station. In 1988, he left Yates to work as General Manager of Australian Plantations, Australia's first large scale Tea Tree plantation, based at Lismore NSW. Following this he spent a brief period as manager at Lockyer Seedling Producers before returning to Narromine as managing director and owner of Narromine Transplants in 1992.

In 2002 the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia gave David an Award of Honour, followed in 2004 by Life Membership. He was also bestowed with an Award of Honour by the International Plant Propagators Society in 2006.

Email: d.cliffe@transplants.com.au

Alex Cliffe, Operations Manager

Alex Cliffe joined Narromine Transplants in 2007. His role is to manage seedling and vegetative propagation operations and logistics.

Email: alex@transplants.com.au

Clones

Narromine Transplants is an industry leader in cutting propagation and clonal development.

We have strong ties with clonal producers in South America who are leading the world in clonal development and cutting propagation. Our innovative propagation techniques are modelled on world best practice, but modified to produce robust product under Australian conditions. Cuttings are taken from stock plants and set in 512 cell trays. They are transferred to the final container at around six weeks.

We propagate cuttings from clones originating in South America, mainly Eucalyptus grandis X Eucalyptus camaldulensis hybrids, and from material provided by clients. We have also worked extensively to perfect vegetative propagation of several Corymbia hybrids.

We have recently expanded our clonal operations to include the propagation of containerised grafted fruit trees using methods which will reduce the usual waiting period involved with inground fruit tree production.

We're also developing cutting-edge techniques in the rescue and creation of new clones for commercial forestry.

Seedlings

Production of forestry seedlings at Narromine Transplants starts with the use of modern seed technology in conjunction with precision seeding equipment.

An intermediate "plug" stage allows for single seeding and transfer of seedlings to the final container without the damage to root systems that traditional "pricking in" can cause. A high degree of uniformity is also experienced with this method of propagation.

Around 90% of our seedling production is undertaken using seed provided by customers, which is mostly sourced from seed orchards. Seed is sown into 512 plug trays and transferred either manually or by machine, at about six weeks of age into the final container.

The time of production of seedlings varies with season and species but is usually from 14 to 20 weeks.

Narromine Transplants specialises in the production of eucalyptus and other native species for forestry. However, we have extensive experience with crops as diverse as tobbaco, tomatoes, capsicum, curcurbits, asparagus, potted colour, lettuce and many others.

Additional Services

For orders in excess of 40,000 Narromine Transplants offers a delivery service using the company's own trucks. These are fitted with air suspension to minimise in-transit damage and are equipped with a unique bin system which can be off-loaded in the field using a truck mounted crane.

For orders under 40,000, delivery can be negotiated.

The nursery offers an unloading service but does not become involved in transplanting operations, with the majority of customers engaging professional planting contractors to carry out this task.

Innovation

Narromine Transplants has always been innovative in its approach to producing the best quality planting material available.
Our innovations include:

• Introducing Speedling® trays into Australia from South Africa specifically for use in forestry.
• Adopting the Hiko V93, 40 cell forestry seedling tray which has now become the de facto standard for most Australian forestry companies.
• Producing the first containerised forestry seedlings for sale to Australian Forest Industries at Myrtleford, Victoria in 1995.
• Developing a system using sophisticated sowing machinery along with the use of 512 cell plug cells, to ensure high rates of germination and seedling uniformity.
• Developing techniques for the successful propagation of clonal material - our technique is unique worldwide, and has set the standards for clonal forestry production in Australia.
• Developing clonal rescue techniques for commercial forestry for the rescue and creation of new clones from the field.
• Use of mechanical transplanters to reduce our seasonal workforce and cost to clients.
  Developing seed treatment techniquies to ensure standardised germination periods.