Publication Date
1993
Location
New Zealand
Description
Ley farming in southern Australia has changed dramatically in the past decade or so. The present version is a more flexible, adaptive one that includes crop legumes, nitrogen fertiliser, direct drilling, and stubble retention. This has resulted in much longer phases of cropping between pasture periods, causing some to designate the new system as "phase farming". Su.ch changes are critical not only in Australia, but also elsewhere, when considering the development and adoption of ley farming in mediterranean-type regions. While the effects of traditional Icy-farming on soil fertility and crop, pasture and livestock production have been well established, there is less certainty about the sustainability of prolonged cropping periods associated with "phase farming". Producers in Australia are increasingly questioning this, as economic returns from crop production are substantially higher than those from livestock. However, these financial advantages in the short-term are offset by fears of soil fertility decline under intensive cropping and the increasing incidence of herbicide resistance, compared with more traditional cereal-pasture rotations. The two systems are compared in terms of soil fertility, disease and pest control, and weed control. A range of factors are influencing the further development and longterm stability of Iey farming. The emphasis on those factors varies between regions, depending on the current status of ley farming, but the issues are both technical and socioeconomic.
Citation
Reeves, T G. and Ewing, M A., "Is Ley Farming in Mediterranean Zones just a Passing Phase?" (1993). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 1.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session60/1)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Is Ley Farming in Mediterranean Zones just a Passing Phase?
New Zealand
Ley farming in southern Australia has changed dramatically in the past decade or so. The present version is a more flexible, adaptive one that includes crop legumes, nitrogen fertiliser, direct drilling, and stubble retention. This has resulted in much longer phases of cropping between pasture periods, causing some to designate the new system as "phase farming". Su.ch changes are critical not only in Australia, but also elsewhere, when considering the development and adoption of ley farming in mediterranean-type regions. While the effects of traditional Icy-farming on soil fertility and crop, pasture and livestock production have been well established, there is less certainty about the sustainability of prolonged cropping periods associated with "phase farming". Producers in Australia are increasingly questioning this, as economic returns from crop production are substantially higher than those from livestock. However, these financial advantages in the short-term are offset by fears of soil fertility decline under intensive cropping and the increasing incidence of herbicide resistance, compared with more traditional cereal-pasture rotations. The two systems are compared in terms of soil fertility, disease and pest control, and weed control. A range of factors are influencing the further development and longterm stability of Iey farming. The emphasis on those factors varies between regions, depending on the current status of ley farming, but the issues are both technical and socioeconomic.
