The Extension of the Ley Farming System in South Australia: A Case Study

Abstract

Agricultural development in South Australia has gone through three phases: (i) land clearance and continuous cereal cropping by the early settlers, leading to a drop in soil fertility and cereal yields; (ii) the introduction of new wheat varieties and the increased use of superphosphate, and cultivated fallowing in rotation with cereals, leading to damaged soil structure and severe erosion; and (iii) from about 1940, the development of the ley farming system, after recognition of the benefits of incorporating annual self-regenerating pasture legumes into a crop rotation. The author lists the key features of this integrated crop-livestock system, points to the results attributed to it, i.e. increased grain yields, animal numbers and wool and meat production, and describes the technical problems and extension methods affecting its adoption by Australian farmers. Lessons from this experience are related to agriculture in Mediterranean areas where ley farming could be relevant. The need for careful modification of the system and expert extension is stressed, in view of its complexity and the many constraints to adoption in these areas.