Publication Date
1993
Location
New Zealand
Description
A large part of the Australian continent is semi-arid and tropical. While extensive beef cattle grazing is the most significant agricultural industry in this region, there Is some potential for dryland cropping. There are strong economic and- ecological reasons for exploring the possibility of a no-till tropical ley system. Work at Katherine, Northern Territory, found that a ley system based on Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano showed considerable promise based on both contributions to dry-season animal performance and nitrogen contribution to succeeding coarse grain crops. Subsequent research and development in the wetter Douglas-Daly district of the Northern Territory has demonstrated even greater benefits using the legume Cemrosema pascuorum. A number of. farmers have adopted this system, and commercial performance over 2 years has been promising.
Citation
McCown, R L.; Thiagalingam, K; Price, T; Carberry, P S.; Jones, R K.; Dagliesh, N P.; and Peake, D.C I., "A Legume Ley System in Australia's Semi-Arid Tropics" (1993). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 15.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session60/15)
Included in
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A Legume Ley System in Australia's Semi-Arid Tropics
New Zealand
A large part of the Australian continent is semi-arid and tropical. While extensive beef cattle grazing is the most significant agricultural industry in this region, there Is some potential for dryland cropping. There are strong economic and- ecological reasons for exploring the possibility of a no-till tropical ley system. Work at Katherine, Northern Territory, found that a ley system based on Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano showed considerable promise based on both contributions to dry-season animal performance and nitrogen contribution to succeeding coarse grain crops. Subsequent research and development in the wetter Douglas-Daly district of the Northern Territory has demonstrated even greater benefits using the legume Cemrosema pascuorum. A number of. farmers have adopted this system, and commercial performance over 2 years has been promising.
