Sheep grazing the pasture legume tedera. Picture – Future Farm Industries CRC.

WESTERN Australian livestock farmers are expected to have access to commercial quantities of seed for the new livestock pasture legume Lanza tedera in autumn next year.

Western Australia’s Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan launched the new high-value, dry season feed species at Dandaragan today.

The perennial pasture legume, tedera, is valued for its drought tolerance, nutritional qualities and nitrogen fixing, and its release has been highly anticipated by producers from across the Wheatbelt region.

The variety developed in WA has been named Lanza tedera, a shortened version of Lanzarote – the name of the Spanish island from which the original seed was collected 12 years ago.

WA research has shown that sheep on tedera continue to gain weight during summer and autumn, under either continuous or rotational grazing scenarios, improving flock productivity and profitability.

The new legume variety is underpinned by more than a decade of agronomic and livestock grazing research by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, with support from Meat and Livestock Australia, the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre and AgriFutures Australia.

Tedera seed will be harvested and processed over summer and available for commercial distribution in autumn 2019.

Ms MacTiernan said tedera has the potential to be a handy tool for Western Australian sheep producers, providing reliable, highly nutritious fodder that bridged the summer-autumn season feed gap and performs well in dry seasons.

“Tedera provides WA sheep producers with an edge to maintain stock during low rainfall years, as well as target out of season premium market opportunities.

“It should also help to build soil carbon and the ability to retain moisture in soil over time,” she said.

“I commend the department’s Dr Daniel Real, who led the research over many years, and his team and partners for their tenacity and dedication in bringing this brilliant addition to WA’s farming system to fruition.

“The launch of this new pasture species is a great example of the outstanding return on investment from the State Government’s long-term commitment to research, development and innovation, which is so vital to drive economic development, jobs and growth.”