To investigate using alternative crops in medium to high rainfall zones.

With increasing pressure on rotations, there are a number of forage options that can be considered;

• On higher fertility sites, with better N levels-  Annual ryegrass such as Drummer and Grassmax as well as forage cereals such as Graza 80 and 51 are an option
• Brassicas (Leafmore) should be avoided on canola stubble
• On lower N sites, Blaza Crimson Clover,  Laser Persian Clover, Zulu Arrowleaf clover and Bolta Balansa grow reasonable hay and fix Nitrogen
• Further work needs to be conducted to evaluate competition value (esp with Wimmera RG) and yield benefits to following crops.   

- A range of forage varieties were grown as rotational options at the MFMG site at Frances.

- Drummer Annual tetraploid ryegrass (6.482t/ha DM) grew the largest amount of dry matter, followed by Graza 80 (5.491t/ha DM) and Grassmax (5.099t/ha)

- The annual clovers grew signifcantly less dry matter,  with Laser Persian Clover growing (3.025t/ha DM),  Zulu Arrowleaf (3.008t/ha DM) and Bolta Balansa (2.977t/ha)  
                                               
 - The cereal/grass based options grew more DM and offered more competition, but legume & broadleaf crops offered different herbicide options, disease breaks and in case of legumes, nitrogen fixation. - More work required to show possible yields, both  as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options