Period: 2023 - 2024
Funding Body: Grains Research and Development Corporation
Funds: $42,000
Project Officers: Ashley Marjoram

This project has been established through investment by GRDC, engaging government, agribusiness, researchers and end-users to work collaboratively to address the poor rate of adoption of grain legumes in WA farming systems. The aims of the project are:

• Demonstrate recent advances in the production of grain legumes, across a range of environments and soil types, through 25 user defined farm-scale trials and, where appropriate small plot trials.

• Apply statistically rigorous trial results to refine best fit grain legume recommendations.

• Produce statistically rigorous economic analysis of grain legumes as a cash crop in the year they are grown and calculate the financial contribution of grain legumes to the longer-term cropping sequence.

• Develop and deploy key messages from credible entities to market the improved performance of grain legumes.

Our Trial and Objectives

• Delivery of two paddock scale trials.

• Inclusion of the trials in a field day or event.

• Collaborate with technical experts to publish findings of trials in harvest reviews, regional crop updates, newsletters, media articles, and or multi-media products.

• Assist GGA with the promotion of grain legumes in WA through the provision of information and media in relation to the trials conducted.

  Year 1 trial: Can Vetch outperform Lupins as a rotation in a farming system

  Objectives:

  • Understand the economic impact of Vetch and Lupins on farm profitability by utilising a multiple farmer case study trial.

  • Monitor performance, benefits, and limitations of the Morava Vetch and Jurien Lupins from a whole system overview including management of disease and weeds, nitrogen fixation, and harvest yield.

  • Conduct a trial driven by local growers that is a platform for farmers, industry, and researchers to share information with a focus on grain legume market opportunities.