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MEDIC, A FORAGE LEGUME SUCCESSFUL IN AUSTRALIA, IS BEING INTRODUCED TO MEDITERRANEAN CEREAL FIELDS. IN CEREAL-LEGUME ROTATIONS, MEDIC BOOSTS CEREAL YIELDS BY RAISING SOIL NITROGEN AND SUPPRESSING WEEDS WHILE PROVIDING MORE AND BETTER FEED FOR LIVESTOCK. IN A REGION WHERE RAIN IS HIGHLY ERRATIC, THE IMPROVED CAPACITY OF THE SOIL TO KEEP PLANTS ALIVE DURING DROUGHTS MAKES THE ODDS ON HARVESTING A CROP MUCH MORE FAVORABLE. MOREOVER, THE NITROGEN FIXED BY THE MEDIC ALLOWS THE FARMER TO BENEFIT FROM MODERN NITROGEN-RESPONSIVE WHEAT VARIETIES WITHOUT RISKING CASH LOSS OR PUTTING HIMSELF IN DEBT. IF THE WEATHER IS GOOD, HE REAPS EXTRA PROFITS FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE STORED SOIL NITROGEN ON WHEAT YIELDS. IF THE WEATHER IS BAD, HE MAY LOSE HIS CROP BUT HE HAS NO CASH INVESTMENT IN NITROGEN FERTILIZER TO LOSE AS WELL.