What legume crop can I grow on lower rainfall wheatbelt country for hay or grazing?
We recommend Coogee Field Peas. They suit areas with 350mm+ rainfall on sandy through to heavy soils, and they offer flexibility for forage, stockfeed, hay or green or brown manure, depending on the season. Coogee is an improved dun pea with rapid early growth and high biomass. Sow at 80 to 100 kg/ha.
What sowing rate for Coogee peas?
We recommend sowing Coogee Field Peas at 80 to 100 kg/ha. Inoculate the seed with a pea inoculant before sowing so the crop fixes nitrogen well. Coogee suits sandy to heavy soils in areas with 350mm+ rainfall and tolerates low pH and salinity. Use the higher end of the rate for hay or biomass crops.
Is there a pea that handles a bit of salt and boron in the soil?
Coogee Field Peas are a good fit. They tolerate boron and salinity, as well as low pH, which helps on the tougher soils found through parts of the wheatbelt. They also resist powdery mildew. Coogee suits 350mm+ rainfall and sandy to heavy soils. Sow at 80 to 100 kg/ha with inoculated seed.
I want a legume I can decide later whether to cut for hay or brown manure, depending on the season.
Coogee Field Peas give you exactly that flexibility. They can be grazed, cut for hay or stockfeed, or used as a green or brown manure, depending on how the season unfolds. Coogee has rapid early growth, high biomass, basal branching and longer vines. It suits 350mm+ rainfall and sandy to heavy soils.
What can I sow with oats for a better quality hay or grazing crop?
We recommend adding Coogee Field Peas to a cereal such as our Ezigraze, Bannister or Saia Oats. The peas lift protein and fix nitrogen, while the oats provide bulk and help support the pea vines. Cut the mix before the cereal gets too stemmy. Reduce the individual seeding rates when sowing the two together.
Is Coogee resistant to powdery mildew?
Yes, Coogee Field Peas resist powdery mildew, which is a key advantage in wetter springs and on later-maturing crops. As a dun pea, Coogee is also tolerant of boron, salinity and low pH. It matures slightly later than Parafield. It suits 350mm+ rainfall and sandy to heavy soils.
Are field peas safe to graze with sheep and cattle?
Yes, field peas such as our Coogee are good feed for sheep and cattle, grazed green or fed as grain. As with any lush legume, introduce stock gradually to reduce the risk of digestive upsets such as bloat, and watch grain intake to avoid acidosis. Coogee's rapid early growth and high biomass make it a productive grazing option.
Our paddock is acidic, will a pea crop still work?
Coogee Field Peas are listed as tolerant of low pH, so they suit many acidic WA paddocks. Good inoculation is important on acid soils to make sure nodulation works. Coogee also tolerates salinity and boron, and suits sandy to heavy soils with 350mm+ rainfall. Lime very acidic paddocks according to your soil test.
Coogee vs VNS field peas, what's the difference?
Coogee is a named, improved dun pea with rapid early growth, high biomass, powdery mildew resistance, and tolerance of boron, salinity and low pH. Our VNS Field Peas are a variety-not-stated line, suited to general green manure, cover crop or grazing use where specific traits matter less. Talk to us about which suits your paddock.
What legume will add nitrogen to the paddock before canola or wheat next year?
We recommend Coogee Field Peas. Inoculated peas fix nitrogen that benefits the following cereal or canola, whether you harvest, cut for hay, or brown manure the crop. Brown or green manuring adds the most nitrogen and helps with weed control. Coogee suits 350mm+ rainfall and sandy to heavy soils. Sow at 80 to 100 kg/ha.
