Rowan Peel trialled the use of raised beds to grow lucerne on his 1,300 hectare farm in the Corangamite/Glenelg area, southern Victoria. Rainfall 500 mm per year (2005: 350 mm).

"Farmers didn't grow lucerne here in the past because of the heavy clay soils, poor drainage and waterlogging." says Rowan Peel.

"Seeing the benefits of controlling water logging on crops encouraged me to try growing lucerne on raised beds about six years ago.

"The results have been very satisfying. Lucerne's strong tap root is able to penetrate the subsoil utilising the subsoil moisture for greater growth during summer.

"It improves subsoil texture and helps control the disease and weeds issues created by cropping.

"Another benefit is the drying out of the subsoil enabling better growth of winter cereal crops"