Anlabee West Lucerne for Landcare and Livestock (Ramsar)

Farmers Glen and Annaliese Williams are keen to see more lucerne planted in the Esperance area, with the leguminous plant offering advantages in both in terms of livestock nutrition and land care.

Mr Williams said that the family was keen to expand its planting of lucerne on their farm, Anlabee West.

Support from South Coast NRM enabled them to continue to trial the pasture plant that offered additional benefits in terms of water use, nitrogen fixing and soil stabilization.

Lucerne’s deep roots enable it to drink excess water and reduce the risk of salinity caused by the rising water table.

It also offers the farm green feed during summer, high quality fodder for sheep grazed on the property as part of its enterprise mix.

The Williams have trialled bales of an oaten straw/lucerne mix, proving popular in the Esperance horse community.

This project is delivered by South Coast NRM, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Photo: Glen Williams showcasing his lucerne planting at Anlabee West. CREDIT: Dorothy Henderson, South Coast NRM Inc.