Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is Australia’s most widely sown annual pasture legume. Its widespread use as a pasture plant requires a well-functioning seed production industry, and Australia is the only significant producer of subterranean clover seed globally. However, the sustainability of this industry is under threat due to its reliance on ageing harvest equipment and the resultant environmental impacts. In order to evaluate seed harvesting practices, technology, and issues, we report on case studies, workshops, and a survey of seed producers across southern Australia. The Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester, designed in the 1950s, remains the most popular subterranean clover seed harvester. We discuss its use and modifications, and document several contemporary issues facing the seed production industry. Issues are primarily soil erosion and degradation; the expensive, slow and labour-intensive harvest process; and poor reliability and maintainability of harvesters that are now at least 30 years old. We conclude the root cause of these issues is the suction harvest technology utilised by the Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester. Analysis of the current harvest system is provided to support the development of new approaches to harvest subterranean clover seeds.

地下三叶草（Trifolium subterraneumL.）是澳大利亚播种最广泛的年度牧场豆类。它广泛地用作牧场植物需要一个运转良好的种子生产业，而澳大利亚是全球唯一的地下三叶草种子生产国。但是，由于该行业依赖于老化的收割设备及其对环境的影响，因此该行业的可持续性受到威胁。为了评估种子收获的做法，技术和问题，我们报告了案例研究，研讨会和对澳大利亚南部种子生产者的调查。1950年代设计的Horwood Bagshaw三叶草收割机，仍然是最受欢迎的地下三叶草种子收割机。我们讨论了它的使用和修改，并记录了种​​子生产行业面临的几个当代问题。问题主要是水土流失和退化。昂贵的 缓慢且劳动密集的收获过程；至少已有30年历史的收割机的可靠性和可维护性差。我们得出结论，这些问题的根本原因是Horwood Bagshaw Clover收割机采用的吸力收割技术。提供了对当前收获系统的分析，以支持开发新的方法来收获地下三叶草种子。