Current and future use of pasture legumes in central and southern NSW-results of a farmer and advisor survey

A survey of 300 farmers and 33 advisors in central and southern NSW found subterranean clover (ssp. subterraneum) and lucerne were sown by 79% and 65% of farmers, and recommended by 91% and 81% of advisors, respectively. Subterranean clover (ssp. yanninicum), arrowleaf clover, balansa clover and white clover were used by less than 20 % of farmers. Other legumes were sown by less than 5% of farmers and recommended by less than 1% of advisors. Differences were found between regions with farmers in high rainfall zones using less lucerne (17%) and more white clover (43%) compared to farmers in medium and low rainfall areas (70 % lucerne, 10% white clover). Less than 40% of farmers rated currently used legumes as highly successful. Seventy-eight percent of farmers indicated they would increase or maintain the area of their farm sown to pasture in the future. Farmers mainly intended to use pasture legumes in the future for short-term pastures in cropping rotations or for fodder conservation. Farmers were most interested in using arrowleaf clover, balansa clover, lucerne, biserrula, subterranean clover (ssp. subterraneum), purple clover, gland clover and French serradella for these purposes. The majority of farmers (79%) and advisors (71%) indicated they needed more technical information on the growth and management of recently developed legume species before they would be prepared to grow them or recommend their use.