One family, one paddock, four generations and a patent.

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§ 1934

The first comb machine

Francis Longworth (1885 – 1978) invented and patented the first comb machine for harvesting grass seed — at that time, Paspalum dilatatum. The existing harvesters didn't suit it. So Francis built one that did.

§ 1935 onwards

Father and sons

Together with his sons, Frank designed and built grading machines specific to Paspalum and Carpet Grass seed. The shed, the paddocks, the export ledger — all of it grew from there.

§ today

Same name on the gate

Four generations on, the Longworths still build the machines, work the paddocks and answer the phone. Research into design and manufacturing of harvesters and graders specific to our seeds has never stopped.

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§ Timeline

Ninety years on the same patch of dirt.

1934

Patent

Francis Longworth patents the first comb machine for harvesting grass seed. The Paspalum dilatatum problem, solved.

1935

Business begins

Longworth Seeds opens its doors. Francis and his sons produce, harvest and clean Paspalum dilatatum and Carpet Grass seed.

1948

Built-for-purpose

Father-and-sons graders built from scratch for Paspalum and Carpet Grass. Research never stops.

1970s →

Export

The vast majority of our seed goes overseas — to North and South America, and South East Asia. Still does.

2012

New line

Approached by a leading Australian seed company to grade Premier Digitaria to a coatable standard. We design and build a line that keeps the seed aerated through cleaning — minimal viable loss.

2018

More varieties

The new line goes into use on Gatton, Bambatsi and Green Panic. Seed arrives from Western and Northern NSW and Queensland.

Today

Fourth generation

David runs seed sales and grading. Peter runs the Limousin stud and the hay. Same Longworth family. Same paddocks.

Next

Whatever you bring

We're still in the business of building the machine that fits the seed. If you've got something tricky, talk to us about it.

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§ Ethos · in their words

"Integrity and honesty in business is the underlying ethos of our business."

The Longworth family

Fourth generation · Kundle Kundle, NSW

It's on the wall in Francis's old hand. Eighty-some years later it's the only thing we still won't update.

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§ The Longworths today

Two brothers, two parts of the business.

We answer the phone ourselves. Same family on the gate, in the shed, on the tractor.

Generation IV · Seed

David Longworth

Runs seed sales and grading. Spends most of the season on the floor watching the new line, the rest of it on the phone to growers and seed companies.

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Generation IV · Cattle & Hay

Peter Longworth

Runs the Kundle Park Limousin stud, the commercial beef herd, and the hay and silage operation. Lives in the saddle of the tractor in summer.

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