This comprehensive project will combine extension, trials, technical and economic analysis to support growers to access the benefits of legumes in crop rotations moving forward.
Established as a project with investment by the GRDC, GGA will collaborate with government, agribusiness, researchers, grower groups and growers to address the low adoption of grain legumes in WA farming systems.
Origins of the project stem from GRDC analysis indicating farmers are aware of the benefits of legumes in crop rotations but concerns around pulse reliability, profitability and lack of confidence in their consistent production are causing barriers to integration. Consequently, Western Australian farmers have been slow to exploit the recent advances in grain legume genetics, acid-tolerant rhizobia, management strategies, weed and disease protection products.
Combatting this situation requires an extensive technical and extension program to change grower sentiment, driving new capabilities into profitable cropping systems. The project will see collaboration between government, agribusiness, researchers and end-users to address the current poor rate of adoption of grain legumes in WA farming systems.
Aims
- 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 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.
Project Map
Trial locations – 2022 legume trials for (red) and 2023 sites (yellow).
Centres of Excellence – Green stars show the trial host grower groups locations which are establishing their local knowledge and developing into 13 Centres of Excellence in legumes production around WA.
Legume Leaders – Numbers show local Legumes Leaders, experienced legumes growers sharing insights around how and why legumes have been a long-term part of their farm system model.
Project Survey
Grain legumes currently contribute in a small and diminishing way to the profitability of Western Australian farming systems.
Analysis indicates that farmers are aware of the benefits of growing a legume in their rotation but have concerns about pulse reliability and profitability and need more confidence in their consistent production.
Via the below QR code, complete our project survey and let the Grower Group Alliance know about your opinions on grain legumes.
Project Updates
Photos below of project trial sites are flowing in from project partner grower groups and will be updated as visuals are available.
Activities
2023 Trials
| Group | Viewing Opportunity | Legume | Trials | |
| Ravensthorpe Agricultural Initiative Network (RAIN) | 27 September RAIN crop walk | Field Pea, Faba Beans | – Financial return of fertiliser applications and gypsum in faba beans – Improving N-fixation in field peas by increasing rhizobia application rate | |
| Lakes Information & Farming Technology (LIFT) | 18 September | Lupins | – Financial return resulting from Lupin management (brown manure/harvest) vs fallow – Rye grass control in lupins – Economics of Fertiliser application in lupin | |
| Corrigin Farm Improvement Group | TBA | Field Pea, Lupin, Vetch, Chickpea | – Determine profitable break crops for the low rainfall zone (chickpea, field pea, lupin, vetch, fallow) – Fungicide timings | |
| West Midlands Group | 16 September WMG Student Crop Walk | 19 September WMG Spring Field Day | Vetch, Lupins, Chickpeas | – Determining best herbicide package for vetch, chickpeas, lupins | |
| Gillamii Centre | 21 September Gillamii Field Day | Vetch, Lupins | – Paddock scale comparison of the financial return of using vetch or lupin as a break crop | |
| LIEBE Group | 7 September LIEBE Group Spring Field Day | Faba Beans, Lupins, Chickpeas | – Comparison of rhizobia application type (faba beans, lupins) and new acid-tolerant strains (chickpea) | |
| South East Premium Growers Association | TBA | Lentils, Faba Beans | – Lentil variety trial – Fungal disease management in faba beans | |
| Facey Group | March 2024 TBA – Facey Trials Night Update | Faba Beans, Chickpea, Vetch | – Yield response of wheat to 2022 treatments with economic analyses | |
| Yuna Farm Improvement Group | YFIG Project Trial Meeting Analysis Event TBA | Vetch, Lupins | – Yield response of wheat to 2022 treatments with economic analyses | |
| Mingenew Irwin Group | TBA | Lupins | – Yield response of wheat to 2022 treatments with economic analyses. – Sowing rates for lupins on heavy soils | |
| Stirlings To Coast Farmers | TBA | Faba Beans | – Testing new acid -tolerant faba bean rhizobia | |
| MADFIG x WANTFA | TBA | Chickpea | – Testing new acid -tolerant chickpea rhizobia |
2022 Trials
| Group | Viewing Opportunities | Legume | Trials | ||
| Facey Group | 29 Jul – Field Walk No 1 | 31 October – Field Walk No.2 | Faba Beans, Chickpea, Vetch | – Multispecies yield response to TOS – Comparison of faba bean varieties | ||
| Yuna Farm Improvement Group | Aug 31 – Spring Field Day drive-by | Vetch, Lupins | – Nitrogen assimilation following Lupin and vetch crops taken to harvest or brown manured | ||
| Mingenew Irwin Group | 15 Sept – Spring Field Day Trial Site Walk | Lupins | – Yield and N-fixation response of Lupins to P and K fertiliser | ||
| Stirlings To Coast Farmers | 29 Sept – Spring Field Day Trial Site Walk | Faba Beans, Lupins | – Effect of TOS and row spacing on disease incidence and yield of Faba bean | ||
| MADFIG x WANTFA | 6 Oct (Warakirri Chickpea site) | Chickpea | – Yield response of Chickpea to fertiliser and sowing depth |
News
Follow the grower group project partners on Twitter.
Get Involved
Add your details here to follow the project and be part of our legumes knowledge community. You’ll hear about the trial field days, trial results, receive updates when Legumes Leaders are added showcasing how and why legumes have been a long term part of their farm system model.
Resources
Legume Leaders
Insights from experienced long-term WA legume growers that advocate for legumes in a farming system.
*Under construction – more growers coming soon from project partner groups
The Business Case for Legumes
-Reduced inputs to the farming systems
–Commercial trends in plant based protein
-Business resilience through diversified crop options
GIWA Pulse Forum 2022
A day filled with great presenters, thought provoking content and all things pulses. All the presentations and videos from the day can now be viewed here.
Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council – Resource Library
GLNC’s mission is to promote grains & legumes as part of a balanced diet through evidence-based information, while supporting the industry to benefit all Australians.
Project Team
GGA Program Broker Mark Holland said WA growers were aware of the benefits of having grain legumes in their cropping rotation, but were frustrated by their inconsistent performance.
“As well as best practice production, this research will also explore the enhanced capabilities of modern grain legume varieties that have become available in recent years through advances in genetics, management and crop protection products,” he said.
“We will be measuring the impact of grain legumes to the rotation in terms of both crop yield and the benefit to following crops in nitrogen fixation and reduced inputs.
“The trials are being driven by the various grower groups and what their grower members want to see, including legume response to different crop protection treatments, soil amelioration, new varieties and nutrition responses.”Five different trials are planned for 2022. The Esperance zone will host lentil trials, disease control and response will be explored with faba beans in Albany, numerous species will be planted in trials at Wickepin, chickpeas will be the focus at Merredin and the response of lupins to phosphorus and potassium treatments will be studied at Mingenew.
Full Media Update story
The grower groups will be supported by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development senior research scientist Mark Seymour and Farmanco consultant Ben Curtis, who will provide technical advice and guidance throughout the project.
“We are looking forward to demonstrating the important role grain legumes can play in western cropping rotations,” Mr Holland said.
“With high prices for nitrogen fertilisers, it’s more important than ever we have functional legumes included in the rotation.”
Project Shortcuts
Contact
Enquiries to Daniel Kidd at GGA
Collaborators
