MEDIA RELEASE 

11 October 2023 

Spotlight on legume potential at local field day 

Warrumbungle region farmers have been learning how to improve legumes in pasture systems through a series of field days run by AgSTAR Projects in conjunction with UNE Agriculture. 

Funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund the events are part of UNE’s Overcoming the Knowledge Gaps project, building drought resilience by increasing the use of legumes in pasture systems. 

UNE Associate Professor David McNeill said the program intended to help producers overcome common constraints experienced with legumes by discussing appropriate species selection, soil type, climate and management practices. 

“Legumes can take nitrogen from the atmosphere and donate it to the surrounding soil and microbes,” A/Prof McNeill said. 

Some deep-rooted legumes can also access nutrients that may be beyond the reach of shallower-rooted grasses and accumulate these nutrients in their above-ground biomass. 

AgSTAR Projects Agronomist Callen Thompson organised the field days and said he had a strong response from local farmers. 

The first field day was an introduction to legume establishment and management in tropical pastures at Sam and Megan Clifton’s place near Purlewaugh,” Callen said. 

Our two-day, legumes masterclass followed on and went into more depth on soil characteristics, legume selection and fertiliser use,” he said. 

James Forbes from Coonabarabran attended the days and said they were very interesting. 

It’s reinforced the importance of fertiliser for production and selecting the right legumes for the right country,” Mr Forbes said. 

Binnaway farmer Jim Larkin hosted the masterclass field visit at his property “Clarefield” and said he enjoyed the opportunity to learn from presenters and other farmers. 

“We are trying to improve all the time and get a lot out of these events,” Mr Larkin said. 

“We are seeing and learning the potential of hard seeded legumes such as serradella, biserrula and arrow leaf clover in tropical pastures. 

“These legumes have potential to maintain productivity and handle the variability in seasonal conditions, which will mean when seasons are favourable we can continue to maximise pasture production.” 

The second day of the masterclass will take place in Coonabarabran on Tuesday, 17 October 

For more information about deep rooted legumes for drought resilience visit the UNE website or call UNE on 02 6773 3333.  

 

Media contact: Jane Phillips, AgSTAR Projects, 0491 227 390