Dryland Legume Pasture Systems: pasture demonstration sites

2019 - 2021

Research organisatons
Funding sources
Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre

Trial details

Researcher(s) Ross Ballard
Jessica Gunn
David Peck
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
Dryland Legume Pasture Systems: pasture demonstration sites locations
Aims

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. 

Key messages

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
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
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Forage: Mixed
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
Trial type Demonstration
Trial design Replicated

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA 2019

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA 2020

Sow rate or Target density 60kg/Ha Spartacus Barley
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

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA 2021

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date 28 May 2021
Harvest date Unknown
Plot size 2m x 25m
Plot replication 2
Fertiliser 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
Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA, SA Calcarosol
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA 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

2019 trial report



Trial last modified: 25-05-2023 15:14pm AEST