Simulation of a legume ley farming system in northern Australia using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator

P. S. Carberry, R. L. McCown, R. C. Muchow, J. P. Dimes, M. E. Probert, P. L. Poulton and N. P. Dalgliesh
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 36 8, 1037-48,
An innovative ley farming system, involving cereal crops grown in rotation with pasture legumes, has been tentatively adopted by farmers in the semi-arid tropics of northern Australia. Yet, after more than a decade of experimental research, the long-term potential of this system remains uncertain. The approach used to answer this question has been to use the APSIM model in conjunction with historical climate records to simulate system performance. The objectives of this paper were to describe APSIM, to test its performance against data from cropping systems experiments, and to use it in assessing the long-term consequences of alternative farming practice in the region of northern Australia. It was concluded that APSIM now provides a useful tool with which farming systems in northern Australia can be further explored.