Paddock Rotations

Many farmers around the world rotate the plants they grow on their land. This means that they grow something like wheat on a particular paddock in one year and may grow something different like canola or chickpeas on that same paddock in the next year. Another common rotation in southern Australia is to rotate a crop like wheat with pastures.

At Downsanup Downs the Jones are currently planning what to put into the paddocks next rotation.

There are many reasons for rotating crops. Crop rotation helps prevent the build up of disease in the soil. Because of their nitrogen fixation, rotation with legumes can add nitrogen to the soil, which helps improve the protein in the wheat.