Holbrook Landcare Network’s Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project, funded by Meat & Livestock Australia, aims to demonstrate the role serradella pasture species may have in production systems of the Southern Slopes of NSW and what management adaptations need to be made to successfully incorporate these species into southern grazing systems.
Background
Subterranean clover is by far the most common companion legume found across almost all pastures of south-eastern Australia. Since the beginning of the “sub and super” era, it has been the dominant driver of production in grazing systems, providing the main source of nitrogen to grasses and protein to stock. Sub clover however, is not without its issues. It can cause bloat in cattle, red-gut in sheep and, where newer varieties have fallen out of the system due to climatic conditions, reproductive issues due to the presence of oestrogenic compounds. Due to its annual winter growth habit, sub clover also has limited capacity to adapt to a changing climate and utilise the increasing instances of warm-season rainfall. Legume, particularly sub clover drop-out is already a regularly reported issue amongst farmers, particularly post drought.
Benefits of Serradella
Serradella species are a low bloat risk annual legume option for pasture systems, making it an attractive alternative to farmers. Other benefits, in comparison to subterranean and white clover include:
- Low oestrogenic activity
- High production in severely acid soils
- Adapted to light textured soils
- Hard seededness
- Deeper root growth
- Lower requirement for soil phosphorus
The high phosphorus efficiency and acid soil tolerance makes serradella potentially suited to secondary land classes such as rocky or steep land with minimal fertiliser or lime application.
What's Been Done?
NSW DPIRD and CSIRO currently have active serradella trials within the HLN footprint at Morven, Mangoplah and Bookham, NSW. These trials have identified the suitability of serradella, in particular Avila (Yellow) and Margurita (French/Pink) varieties, as an annual legume option for the region’s pasture systems. This project will build on the momentum of this research and demonstrate the application of these serradella varieties in commercial pasture paddocks throughout our region.
What Will We Do?
We will work will host producers to establish, manage and monitor over 7 demonstration sites. The demonstration sites will be made up of:
- Test strips in grazing paddocks (5+ paddocks sites containing 2-3 treatments each). Tests strip treatments will be decided by host producers and could include sowing techniques (bare seed or pod), serradella varieties sown (Yellow or French Serradella), companion grass species (e.g. Phalaris, Prairie grass or Premier Digit grass), soil type and topography.
- Seed production blocks (2+ paddocks). It is envisaged that seed produced from the seed production blocks will be used to establish other demonstration sites in future years.
Demonstration site results will be published in annual reports and presented at annual field days. In the final year of the project, a cost-benefit analysis of serradella pastures compared to current annual legume options will be undertaken.
Want To Be Involved?
If you want to be involved in the project by either trialing serradella on your farm or receiving regular project updates than get in touch!
Timeframe
Project period: 7 January 2026 – 31 July 2030.
