Description
In southern Australia, 50% of grain-producing farms also run beef and/or sheep enterprises. Legume pasture leys are used to replace soil nitrogen and manage crop disease risks. Deep-rooted perennials, predominantly lucerne (Medicago sativa), are replacing annual Trifolium subterraneum-based leys to increase pasture production. They also have the environmental benefits of limiting soil acidity, rising water tables and dryland salinity. After recent droughts depletion of soil water by lucerne has penalised wheat yields. Decision support tools can help farmers evaluate the long-term effects of grazed annual and perennial leys on animal and crop production at the whole farm level.
Citation
Salmon, L.; Moore, A. D.; and Angus, J. F., "Simulation of Pasture Phase Options for Mixed Livestock and Cropping Enterprises" (2023). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 66.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/20/satellitesymposium4/66
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Simulation of Pasture Phase Options for Mixed Livestock and Cropping Enterprises
In southern Australia, 50% of grain-producing farms also run beef and/or sheep enterprises. Legume pasture leys are used to replace soil nitrogen and manage crop disease risks. Deep-rooted perennials, predominantly lucerne (Medicago sativa), are replacing annual Trifolium subterraneum-based leys to increase pasture production. They also have the environmental benefits of limiting soil acidity, rising water tables and dryland salinity. After recent droughts depletion of soil water by lucerne has penalised wheat yields. Decision support tools can help farmers evaluate the long-term effects of grazed annual and perennial leys on animal and crop production at the whole farm level.
