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Dryland Legume Pasture Systems: Grazing trial

2019

Research organisations
Funding sources
SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre South Australian Research and Development Institute
<abbr title='Grains Research and Development Corporation'>GRDC</abbr> <abbr title='Australian Wool Innovation Ltd'>AWI</abbr> <abbr title='Meat and Livestock Australia'>MLA</abbr> <abbr title='Australian Government's Rural Research and Development for Profit'>AGRR&D</abbr>

Trial details

Researcher(s) Ross Ballard
Jessica Gunn (SARDI)
David Peck
Naomi Scholz
Year(s) 2019
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
Related trials
Dryland Legume Pasture Systems: Grazing trial locations
Aims

A component of the DLPS project aims to quantify the impacts of different pasture legume species on livestock production and health. 

Key messages
  • Pasture legumes sown in 2018 were allowed to regenerate in 2019 and were grazed with ewe hoggets.
  • Sheep live-weight increased on average by 13.8 kg (+26%, ~180 g/day) and was similar for all legume treatments, but differences between the sown legumes may have been masked by volunteer pasture species in the plots.
  • Sown legume intake ranged from 401 kg/ha (Trigonella balansae) to 1461 kg/ha (Harbinger medic). Sheep showed some grazing preference for medic over trigonella. 
  • The site will be sown with wheat in 2020. Crop growth, grain yield and quality will be measured. Stubbles will be grazed. It will return to pasture in 2021.
Lead research organisation South Australian Research and Development Institute
Host research organisation SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial funding source GRDC RnD4Profit-16-03-010
Trial funding source AWI RnD4Profit-16-03-010
Trial funding source MLA RnD4Profit-16-03-010
Trial funding source AGRR&D RnD4Profit-16-03-010
Related program Dryland Legume Pasture Systems (Rural R&D for Profit)
Acknowledgments

The Dryland Legumes Pasture Systems project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Meat and Livestock Australia and
Australian Wool Innovation. The research partners include the South Australian Research and Development Institute, Murdoch
University, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the WA Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development, and Charles Sturt University, as well as grower groups. Project code: RnD4Profit-16-03-010. 
 
Other trial partners Murdoch University, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Charles Sturt University
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Pasture: Mixed species
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop : Type
  • Crop : Variety
  • Grazing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2019

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Red sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Calcarosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA
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Climate

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA 2019

Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 325mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 242mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 269mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 208mm

Derived climate information

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2019 trial report



Trial last modified: 07-10-2025 22:23pm AEST