Rural

Groundbreaking Clovers Poised To Transform Dryland Farming In New Zealand

"They're dual-purpose, providing excellent animal feed and free nitrogen," Nichols explains.

University of Western Australia Professor Dr Philip Nichols explains the development of two innovative subterranean clovers, Edison and Franklin, designed for dryland farming. Ideal for Mediterranean climates, these clovers are set to revolutionise agriculture on New Zealand's eastern coast. 

He highlights Edison as a standout due to its late-flowering nature, making it a perfect fit for New Zealand's summer-dry regions. 

Dr Nichols explains how the clovers promise to replace older varieties, where each tonne of clover biomass can fix up to 30 kilos of nitrogen, enhancing soil fertility. 

Listen to the full chat between Professor Phillip Nichols and Dominic George above.

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