Evaluation of Irrigated Fodders at Douglas Daly Research Farm

F. O'Gara, C. Collins and P. Shotton
Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines

The main objective of this report was to determine the yield potential and agronomic requirements of various irrigated forage crops under centre pivot irrigation and assess their suitability as rotational crops with peanuts in the Daly basin. While this evaluation was not conducted under ideal conditions, it revealed that achieving optimum forage sorghum populations can be difficult. High seeding rates are necessary to achieve sufficient plant numbers. Establishment of 40 to 50% is poor and usually results in inferior stands. Rolling to achieve better seed-soil contact may improve establishment on Blain soils and should be investigated.