This long-term project is trialling multiple lucerne cultivars under variable seasonal and drought conditions to help producers in low-rainfall zones better understand lucerne growth, soil moisture use and management strategies that improve resilience.

Through a replicated trial at the CWFS Fettell Centre and a community-of-practice model, the project uses field measurements and ag-tech data to support evidence-based decision-making in mixed farming systems.

This project helps farmers build drought resilience by teaching and demonstrating how Stock Management Areas can protect groundcover, reduce land degradation and support faster recovery after drought.

This project is building farmers’ skills and confidence to adopt drought-resilient pasture systems by demonstrating modern perennial grass and legume combinations that improve feedbase reliability, soil health, biodiversity and landscape resilience.

This project is demonstrating three proven strategies—diverse legume rotations, early sowing of slower-maturing crops, and better nitrogen management—to improve soil health, water holding capacity and profitability, helping farmers build stronger drought resilience across varied farming systems in NSW and northern Victoria.