Why grow pasture legumes?

offer free nitrogen which improves the productivity of other pasture species, the persistence of the pasture and the nutritional content of the whole pasture
fix free nitrogen for the cropping phase of the rotation
extend the production window
improve pasture resilience to climatic conditions and seasonal variation due to their deep roots and/or capacity to produce sufficient seed for regeneration in subsequent years, even under adverse growing conditions
provide more options for weed control in preparation for the cropping phase
improve overall soil health
regenerate after the cropping phase without re‑sowing (species and variety-specific)
produce hard seed which can be harvested using standard grain harvesting equipment, reducing costs

be sown outside the crop sowing window with summer (unscarified or in-pod seed) and dry sowing options
be sown within the cropping phase using low-cost techniques, such as twin seeding (unscarified or in‑pod seed) with a cereal crop
produce high quantities of nutritious winter feed
provide similar and, in some cases, higher weight gain in ewes and lambs in winter and spring compared with lucerne, lucerne/phalaris and volunteer pastures
be used for a high quality hay (particularly bladder clover) offering similar and, in some cases, higher weight gains than sub-clover or lucerne/oaten hay.