Wattle Seed Trial

Throughout Australia, one of the richest and most plentiful food sources for the Aboriginals was Acacia seed. There are approximately 1,000 different varieties of Acacia (or wattle) in Australia. The seed was often roasted and ground with stone tools and used as flour.

The benefits of wattle seed are well known, the seed contains over 20% protein and no gluten. Today people are realising the healthy benefit of wattle seed, just as the Aborigines have known about for generations. The seeds make a tasty and nutritious flour and can even be used as a coffee substitute.

At the Yung Balug Museum we are growing Acacias in a trial for food and conservation. In the trial there are five varieties - Golden Wattle, Hakea Wattle, Elegant Wattle, Swamp Wattle and Wallowa Wattle. The wattles have been planted in rows to see which perform the best and are most suited to mechanical harvesting. Ivan Shaw, who developed Sultana Harvesters is giving direction, as he is confident that mechanical harvesting is possible. 

Wattles can grow in a very low rainfall and are a native nitrogen-fixing legume. They do not need fertilising or spraying for pests. This year the best performing wattles produced 3.8kg of seed per plant. 

To suit harvesting we are in the process of cloning the best performing wattles, so that when the seeds ripen they are all exactly the same. Growing from seed creates too much variation which does not suit mechanical harvesting. 

Every farm should have a plantation of wattles for conservation as they increase biodiversity, which can also benefit productivity.

When you come and visit the museum you will be able to observe the plantation.