Legumes are the powerhouse of pastoral farming systems
With the correct management, legumes have the potential to transform farm businesses while protecting fragile hill country landscapes.
Key considerations when using legumes in your farm system are:
- Address nutrient deficiencies to allow legumes to photosynthesize and fix nitrogen.
- Correct management of sub clover is critical to maximise its productive potential in early spring.
- Talk to seed agents about the cultivars most suited to individual farm environments and systems.
- Satellite farms within hill country can have significant production and environmental advantages.
- Rotationally graze as soon as possible after lambing to help drive pre-weaning growth rates.
- legumes can efficiently, sustainably and minimise environmental impact
Optimising resources and utilising them sustainably will generate long term on farm resilience
One important aspect is to get nitrogen into your farm system is to address nitrogen deficiency. Instead of using imported nitrogen fertiliser, legumes can do this efficiently, sustainably and minimise environmental impact.
Learn more about the benefits of legumes in hill country farming systems