The aim of this project (SAGIT S914) was to:

• Provide a genuine legume break crop option for cereal and mixed farmers in the marginal cropping areas of South Australia. Focusing on Western Eyre Peninsula, the Upper North and the Murray lands/Mallee.
• Trial advanced common vetch lines with specific targeted traits in replicated trials in these regions of South Australia for assessment of potential new releases.
• Validate the benefits and potential of common vetch in the targeted areas.
• Provide farmers with high yielding alternative vetch varieties that are well adapted to sandy-alkaline soils in low rainfall environments.

• SAGIT funded trials over the last 3 years have shown the potential of vetch on Eyre Peninsula, leading to the selection of an early flowering (90-95 days) line with increased winter vigour (SA 34876) as a new variety for low rainfall mixed farming systems.
• The last three seasons have been particularly good at Minnipa for both grain and hay production of vetch.
• Piednippie trials have not been as successful as Minnipa, but have still shown with the right management vetch could produce good hay, fodder or grazing on the grey calcareous soils.
• On Eyre Peninsula early sowing (mid- April) can achieve good yield and hay production but is heavily reliant on either good subsoil moisture or late follow-up rain.
• Herbicide choices for vetch are very dependent on local conditions so talk to your local agronomist about the best options available.