How long does it take lucerne to grow?

Lucerne’s extensive root system enables the crop to produce good yields even under relatively dry conditions. It’s perennial nature means that once successfully established reliable production could be expected for the following 3 to 4 years.

Is alfalfa and lucerne the same?

Alfalfa (/ælˈfælfə/) (Medicago sativa), also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop.

How deep do lucerne roots go?

Overview. The lucerne plant has a deep tap root (sometimes up to 15m), which gives the plant several agronomic benefits. It can use water at depth in the soil profile, enabling the plant to survive dry periods over summer.

Where is lucerne grown in Australia?

In Australia, 83% of total lucerne seed production occurs around Keith, Naracoorte, Tintinara and Bordertown in South Australia, this area encompassing more than 16,000 hectares of both ir- rigated and dryland production.

How many times can you harvest lucerne?

 You can cut lucerne five or six times a year.

How long does a lucerne crop last?

Lucerne may live for up to 20 years, although the life of an average stand is closer to five years. As swards age, inappropriate cutting or grazing management, weeds, disease and insects take their toll and the plant’s survival declines.

Is lucerne good for cows?

Lucerne is especially beneficial to animals when it’s harvested at an early growth stage, ie. when it has the highest amount of protein and the lowest amount of fiber. Harvesting Lucerne as hay is a nutritious source of feed for your cows.

Can horses eat growing lucerne?

This type of horse food is also low in phosphorous. Lucerne is a valuable source of energy, and it can help keep your horse’s weight in check. Due to the level of proteins, it is very useful for feeding horses that are growing, horses in intense work, or mares used for breeding.

Is lucerne good for cattle?

Is growing lucerne profitable?

“Despite the fact that I have to spend a relatively large sum to re-establish the lands every five years, lucerne production remains decidedly more profitable for me than crops such as maize and sunflower.

How many bales of lucerne make an acre?

In general, 100 small square bales per acre is somewhat considered good, although many factors such as location, crop variety, rainfall and fertiliser all play a part in determining what the actual number will be.

Can you graze horses on lucerne?

Phalaris sown with white, red and sub clover and/or lucerne is quite acceptable for horses. It must be rotationally grazed to allow seedhead development in spring and good growth after autumn breaking rains. Fescue pastures are very acceptable to horses in the first year of growth.

When can you graze lucerne?

Avoid grazing during establishment. Graze first when in full flower. Earlier grazing or mowing may be necessary if weed competition has been severe or if a dry spell sets in. It may also be necessary to graze undersown lucerne in winter/spring if the cereal crop is dense and early sown.

Can a horse have too much lucerne?

Therefore, adding the Lucerne will increase potassium levels – they will skyrocket and this can cause an imbalance in the nutrition. As a result, your horse may become restricted from performing everyday regular activities. An additional problem with Lucerne is the great level of phytoestrogen content.

How much does a bale of lucerne hay cost?

Lucerne 1st cut Hay 8x4x3 Bales 80 clean Bales $450.00 / MT plus GST 64 2nds 15% Rye Grass $350.00 + GST AVG Bale weights …

When should you cut lucerne for hay?

The optimal time to cut lucerne is when 5-10% of the plants are flowering (early bloom). At this moment more than half of all plant should have a new sprout coming from the crown. When aimed for the maximal quality, harvest occurs in pre-bloom or late-bud stage.

How long does lucerne hay last?

Hay stored undercover can maintain its quality for more than 12 months, but hay stored outdoors without cover will show significant reductions in quality, dry matter and nutrients over time. Hay can typically be stored outdoors and uncovered for up to three months, with a maximum of six months.

What is the best horse pasture seed?

Grass mixtures containing the following species are good for Midwest horse pastures.

• Endophyte-free tall fescue.
• Perennial ryegrass.
• Kentucky bluegrass.
• Timothy.

Can you graze cattle on lucerne?

Lucerne, also known as the ‘queen of forages’ is one of the most nutritious forages available for cattle. It can either be directly grazed or fed to cattle as hay and silage.

Does lucerne make horses hot?

Grains and grain based feeds, molasses and forages like lucerne hay tend to be commonly blamed for making horses ‘hot’. Whether this is because they do actually make horses hyperactive, or because they are energy dense feeds that are easy to overfeed and therefore by default make horses hot is hard to determine.

Why use Lucerne for pasture & fodder?

It’s wide range of uses, and high adaptability to the climate and soils of NSW makes it an integral part of the State’s agriculture, especially in the wheat–sheep zone. This Agfact is aimed at pasture managers looking at using Lucerne for pasture & fodder.

Which Lucerne is best for hay/silage production?

Kaituna is a highly productive lucerne ideal for grazing and mixed regimes and is persistent under grazing and hay/silage production. Stamina™ 5 lucerne is highly productive in both grazing and hay/silage production systems.

What is Lucerne and how is it grown?

Lucerne is also a source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamins A and D. Lucerne can be grown as a pasture phase, removed and followed by a crop phase or it can be over sown with crops (pasture cropped).

Is Lucerne suitable for drought tolerance?

Once established, lucerne has good drought tolerance and is well suited to irregular rainfall patterns, but it will appear to go dormant during extended dry periods.