Alternative pasture legumes in NSW Central West

Alternative pasture legumes in NSW Central West

Project Funder: Meat & Livestock Australia

Project Lead Organisation/Researcher: Central West Farming Systems (CWFS), Rajdeep Sandhu/Wendy Gill

Project Duration: December 2020 – June 2024

Project Locations: North Condobolin, Condobolin Agricultural Research & Advisory Station (ARAS) & Gunning Gap

MLA PDS Project Code: L.PDS.2102

Aim

To increase knowledge and adoption of alternative annual forage legume options available to meat producers in the low rainfall zone (LRZ) of central west NSW, which have not been traditionally used, by showing they can be easily integrated into existing mixed farming operations to assist in meat production and adaptation to climate variability.

Description and background

Traditional annual pasture legumes’ (subterranean clovers and medics) capacity to supply adequate nitrogen to drive pasture production and provide high quality feed to support high livestock growth rates in the LRZ of central west NSW (CW NSW) has significantly deteriorated. Reliance on traditional annual legumes and even the perennial lucerne for seasonal forage and animal production is no longer possible with climate variability, increasing acidity, changing fertility levels and more frequent dry periods and drought depleting seedbanks and persistence.

There are very few ‘continuous croppers’ remaining in the CW NSW, with most farmers now realising stock provide a very valuable risk management tool and an alternative source of income. The recent drought of 2018-19 has decimated stock numbers in the district, with typical stock numbers currently only 20–40% of the average. Rebuilding the flocks and herds will be the target of most over the next 3–5 years, with greater feedbase options critical to that expansion.

Very little demonstration of new feedbase options has occurred throughout the CWFS region of recent years, with most efforts being devoted to annual cropping options, mainly dual-purpose cereals and canola. Core producers will work with researchers and experience first-hand how alternative forage legumes can contribute to their mixed farming businesses, help reduce the impacts of climate variability, reduce risk in pasture rejuvenation, and supply flexible options for the production of forage and meat. We will focus on annual legumes that extend sowing and growing season options and can be used as an ‘on-demand’ basis in the pasture-crop rotation. There is significant capacity for these legumes in the central west of NSW, but they are yet to be widely adopted. 

Reports & Media Releases

Sam Kekovich in Condobolin

On Wednesday, 30 March Central West Farming Systems hosted a Community Evening at the Condobolin Sports Club where locals had the chance to meet Australian media personality, sports commentator and Australian ‘Lambassador”, Sam Kekovich. An event that had many date changes due to COVID -19 was able to happen at last. Sam was very excited to visit Condobolin and appreciated...
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Alternative pasture legumes in NSW Central West – 2021 Webinar

PDS project code: L.PDS.2102 The CWFS MLA Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) ‘Alternative pasture legumes in NSW Central West’ is in its first year. It aims to increase knowledge and adoption of alternative annual forage legume options available to livestock producers in the low rainfall zone (LRZ) of Central West NSW that have not traditionally been used. The project will showcase...
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Alternative pasture legumes in NSW Central West – 2021 Report

The CWFS Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) ‘Alternative pasture legumes in NSW Central West’ is in its first year.
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Alternative pasture legumes in NSW Central West – Mid year 2021 report

The CWFS Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) ‘Alternative pasture legumes in NSW Central West’ is in its first year.
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MLA Alternative Pasture Legumes Project in NSW Central West – Pre Project Survey

CWFS has been busy sowing the MLA PDS ‘Feedbase options and alternatives for meat production in low to medium rainfall mixed farming zones of Central NSW’. Trial sites at Gunning Gap and Condobolin were sown in early May with good follow up rain. Pictured here is Annual Medic cv. Cheetah. Photo credit: H McMillan Please find below the link to the MLA Alternative...
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Partnership

This project is a partnership between Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Central West Farming Systems.