Legumes in Mixed Farming Rotations
| Project start date: | 01 April 2025 |
| Project end date: | 31 December 2027 |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Southern Australia, South Australia |
| Site location: | Limestone Coast (South East of SA) |
Summary
This MLA GRDC Partnership PDS project aims to showcase the benefits of incorporating legumes, such as clovers and faba beans, into farming systems. Building on the previous GRDC investment 'Pastures in Crop Sequencing' (PCS) from 2012-15. The group seeks to demonstrate the economic advantages of legumes, including improved soil health, reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers, valuable livestock feed, weed control, and increased cereal crop yields.
Objectives
- By July 2026, MFMG will establish 5 demonstration sites (2-3 sites to commence in 2025), engaging 8 core producers and inform the MFMG membership of activities as observer producers.
- Annually, MFMG will observe the impact of including annual or perennial clovers, faba beans and other legumes of interest in the rotation by measuring grazing value, weed control and soil changes.
- By the end of the project MFMG will conduct a case study for each demonstration site to illustrate the overall economic performance of each rotational strategy.
- Annually, capture producer experience of including legumes in the rotation by holding regular meetings between the core producers and others wanting to adopt related strategies. Specific frequency of meetings should be decided upon by the producers.
- By the completion of the project, 75% of core producers will have adopted legumes in the rotation, and 25% of observers intend to.
- Demonstrate the benefit of using legumes in the rotation at relevant MFMG events to increase knowledge, skills and confidence in the management practices.
