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MEDIA
RELEASE - PDF Version
Bendigo Landmark agronomists Paul Lomax and Greg Toomey
outlined the qualities of lucerne for increasing livestock
and cropping productivity to Landmark’s branch managers
and livestock specialists from Victoria and southern New
South Wales, on the second day of the company’s
Livestock Conference held in Bendigo on September 18 and
19.
This section of the Conference follows on from the very
successful Lucerne and Perennial Pasture Workshops at
Hamilton, Echuca and Horsham earlier this year conducted
by Carole Hollier, Valerie Little and Peter Ockenden from
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) on behalf of the
CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity and
Landmark.
Feedback from the earlier workshops shows that when agronomists
have a better understanding of management practices they
can implement this knowledge to obtain full production
in both dry matter and livestock productivity. It was
agreed that production could be increased up to 100% from
what had learnt at the workshops.
The agronomists also noted the same information needed
to be supplied to the Landmark branch managers and livestock
specialists as there is a growing trend from farmers requesting
more information from Landmark about perennials pasture
including lucerne.
The branch managers and livestock specialists are seen
as the “gate-keepers” for many landholders,
namely primary producers. By providing them with the latest
information on productive lucerne and perennials it would
allow for greater assistance for land managers to introduce
profitable landuse changes.
The livestock group undertook visits to several in-field
sites to the Elmore district looking at site selection
and establishment along with stocking rates and feed quality
of lucerne as well as identifying weeds and their control.
The participants also saw the impact that saline discharge
sites are having on the landscape and the difference that
the correct management of the recharge areas can have
on the paddock production.
Landmark Salinity Project Manager Kevin Graham said the
reported increase in lucerne seed sales by the Landmark
branches in Victoria and NSW was encouraging. Victoria
reported a three-fold increase in sales over the last
year.
Paul Lomax told the participants, “Landmark agronomists
are experiencing increased inquiries from land managers
for assistance in managing their rising groundwater tables.
They have found that the introduction of lucerne pastures
is lowering their water tables as well as providing a
wonderful supply of productive dry matter for the lean
summer months when supplementary feeding is usually the
practice.”
“Lucerne has been around for years, the varieties
these days have tremendous aphid and rot resistance leading
to longevity and growth rates. We are getting to a stage
where we can really grow productively, weed free and grow
the exact product that people want,” he said.
Paul also said “the focus on the environment is
huge, sustainable agriculture is what Landmark wants to
promote, which in turn leads to a healthier environment.
The incentive for a clean, green image for agriculture
is massive.”
Further information
Kevin
Graham
Salinity Project Manager
Landmark – an AWB Company
Office (07) 3842 7732 Mobile 0418 411 351
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Gallery
of Images from Workshop
Click on images for larger
view.
Paul Lomax discusses the role of the lucerne in this paddock.
LANDMARK managers and livestock specialists in a newly
sown paddock of lucerne and lupins.
Untreated saline discharge site.
Kevin Graham discusses what is happening in the discharge
site with some of the workshop participants.
For print ready copies of these images
please contact:
Daryll Richardson
CRC Education Officer
Office (07) 5446 6094 Mob. 0409 312574
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