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295 results found
  • Novel pasture legumes pass the livestock test
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Novel pasture legumes pass the livestock test

    Livestock nutrition research undertaken as part of the Dryland Legume Pastures System project has identified unique features of novel legume species that provide benefits for mixed growers in low to medium-rainfall regions. In WA and NSW these species are able to develop more biomass from summer sowing which extends their grazing period. Some have improved survival when ingested by sheep, pods and seeds that are more digestible than subclover, and animal live weight gains at the end of the growing season are often increased.

  • Harvest tips for hard-seeded pasture legumes
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Harvest tips for hard-seeded pasture legumes

    The aerial-seeded feature of novel pasture legumes, identified by the Dryland Legume Pastures System project, enables them to be direct headed with conventional machinery to fit easily into conventional cropping enterprises. But there are tips and tricks for some species.

  • Modelling underscores hard-seeded legume prospects
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Modelling underscores hard-seeded legume prospects

    Crop and pasture sequence models can provide useful biological and economic performance data for growers considering new practices. Hard-seeded pasture legumes have been put through this exercise, which shows they are profitable and have roles in business diversification and reducing risk and costs.

  • The hard-seeded nature of novel pasture legumes
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    The hard-seeded nature of novel pasture legumes

    Understanding the breakdown patterns of hard-seededness in pasture legumes influences selection of the best species and variety adaptation to an environment.

  • Sowing strategies in SA and Victoria
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Sowing strategies in SA and Victoria

    Research on novel sowing methods undertaken in southern Mallee environments as part of the Dryland Legume Pasture Systems project has begun to match adapted species to environments to improve productivity.

  • Twin and summer sowing pasture revolution
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Twin and summer sowing pasture revolution

    Twin and summer sowing methods have been developed to capitalise on the hard seed feature of novel pasture legume species for low and medium-rainfall regions of Australia. These innovative management practices developed by the Dryland Legume Pastures System project are providing growers with more sustainable and agile crop and pasture systems with reduced risk.

  • Rotational benefits from resilient pastures
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Rotational benefits from resilient pastures

    The Dryland Legume Pasture Systems project has determined that vetch remains the best option on neutral/alkaline sandy soils in medium-low rainfall regions of SA and Victoria when a sown legume ley is needed for one year, while annual medics are preferred for self-regenerating pastures. In both scenarios legumes provide benefits for following crops. This comes after the evaluation of a range of legume pasture species for mixed farming systems.

  • Pasture legume improvement for alkaline soils in SA and Victoria
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Pasture legume improvement for alkaline soils in SA and Victoria

    Annual medics have been the best performers on neutral to alkaline soils in the low-medium rainfall zones of SA and Victoria. New medic varieties are coming onstream with novel traits, and other more easily harvestable legumes also show promise for this zone.

  • Pastures that can supercharge crop sequences
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Pastures that can supercharge crop sequences

    The nitrogen boost to subsequent crops is just one of many benefits from adding novel hard-seeded legume pasture species to low and medium-rainfall mixed farming systems. Western Australian researchers have quantified these and other benefits to support growers’ decisions to use these species.

  • Hard-seeded legumes promote system agility
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Jun 2022
    Hard-seeded legumes promote system agility

    The Dryland Legume Pastures System project has identified novel hard-seeded legume species for low to medium-rainfall regions. Read more about the clever features of arrowleaf clover, biserrula, bladder clover, gland clover, trigonella and serradella that boost production, add flexibility and reduce establishment costs for mixed farms in low to medium-rainfall regions of WA and central and southern NSW.

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