Researcher(s) |
Ross Ballard Jessica Gunn David Peck |
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Contact email | david.peck@sa.gov.au |
Year(s) | 2019 - 2021 |
Contributor | Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula |
Trial location(s) |
Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA, SA
|
Over the past three decades there has been a shift from integrated crop-livestock production to intensive cropping in dry areas, which has significantly reduced the resilience of farms in low to medium rainfall areas. Intensive cropping is prone to herbicide resistant weeds, large nitrogen fertiliser requirements, and major financial shocks due to frost, drought or low grain prices.
A pilot project with MLA and AWi in WA and southern NSW has demonstrated how novel pasture legumes such as serradella, biserrula and bladder clover can improve livestock production while reducing nitrogen requirements, weeds and diseases for following crops. The extent to which these new legumes establish, grow and persist on South Australia's alkaline sandy soils requires clarification.
The demonstration sites are primarily an extension tool, unlike research trials requiring detailed data collection. The purpose of these sites is to gather information on regional legume performance, including benefits to the crops that follow.
Grain protein, but not grain yield was significantly affected by the type of pasture legume previously grown.
The annual medics were the most persistent species after cropping.
The findings will be used to prioritise further research and development of novel pasture species on sandy soils.
Volga vetch produced the most biomass in the establishment year at both sites.
Lead research organisation |
SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre |
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Host research organisation |
SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre |
Trial funding source | AGRR&D 9175959 |
Trial funding source | GRDC |
Trial funding source | MLA |
Trial funding source | AWI |
Related program | N/A |
Acknowledgments |
This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agricuture and Water Resources 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: Mingenew Irwin Group, Corrigin Farm Improvement Group, Asheep Esperance, Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation, Upper North Farming Systems, Mallee Sustainable Farming, Lower Eyre Ag Development Association, Birchip Cropping Group, Farmlink, Central West Farming Systems. We would like to thank Kerran Glover and Dion Trezona for the use of their land for the demonstration sites and for assistance i |
Other trial partners | Not specified |
Crop type | Forage: Mixed |
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Treatment type(s) |
|
Trial type | Demonstration |
Trial design | Replicated |
Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
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Sow date | Not specified |
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Fertiliser | Not specified |
Sow rate or Target density | 60kg/Ha Spartacus Barley |
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Sow date | 8 May 2020 8 May 2020 |
Harvest date | 17 November 2020 17 November 2020 |
Plot size | 2m x 25m |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Fertiliser |
DAP 70kg/Ha |
Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
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Sow date | 28 May 2021 |
Harvest date | Unknown |
Plot size | 2m x 25m |
Plot replication | 2 |
Fertiliser | Not specified |
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.