What lucerne suits a short 2 to 4 year pasture phase in the low to medium rainfall wheatbelt?
We recommend Sceptre Lucerne, which is highly recommended for shorter-term cropping rotations of 2 to 4 years in lower to medium rainfall zones. It's strongly tap rooted for drought tolerance and has an excellent pest and disease resistance profile. It suits sands to loams, dryland or irrigated.
How much rainfall does lucerne need to grow in WA?
Most of our lucernes need 400mm+ rainfall, but Sceptre Lucerne suits drier country at 350mm+. It's strongly tap rooted for enhanced drought tolerance, suits dryland or irrigated growing areas, and in earlier years was one of the most widely adapted lucernes in WA across a wide range of soil types and climatic conditions.
My paddock has root knot nematode, is there a lucerne that will persist?
We recommend Sceptre Lucerne. It's Resistant to root knot nematode and Tolerant of stem nematode, and it performs well where disease and nematode susceptible varieties won't persist. It's also Resistant to Phytophthora root rot, Stagonospora crown rot and spotted, bluegreen and pea aphids.
What soil pH do I need before sowing lucerne?
We recommend sowing lucerne into soils of pH 5.5 (CaCl2) and above, so soil test and lime if you're below that. Our Sceptre Lucerne suits sands to loams and tolerates mild salinity, but it is not rated for waterlogging. Ongoing fertiliser applications are also needed to support good production, and inoculate with Group AL at sowing.
How much lucerne seed do I sow under irrigation?
For Sceptre Lucerne we recommend 10 to 20 kg/ha under irrigation and 4 to 10 kg/ha on dryland. It has vigorous seedling establishment, producing strong, robust plants. Inoculate with Group AL, and because it's highly winter active it can be sown from early winter to early spring.
Is there a lucerne that handles grazing better because the crown sits low?
Yes, Sceptre Lucerne has a low crown, which makes it suitable for grazing, and it is a tall, large-leaved, highly winter active variety with many fine, erect stems. Its vigorous seedling establishment produces strong, robust plants, and it has an excellent disease and pest resistance profile. Ongoing fertiliser applications are needed to support good production.
Can I add a lucerne to a pasture mix as the legume part?
Yes, Sceptre Lucerne is ideal as the legume component of a pasture mix. Inoculated with Group AL, it adds nitrogen, and it has vigorous seedling establishment and an excellent disease and pest resistance profile. Ask us about our Mix & Match Custom Pasture Blends, for example pairing it with Wimmera Annual Ryegrass, or Mission Veldt Grass on sandy country.
Will lucerne survive a long dry summer in the wheatbelt?
Sceptre Lucerne is strongly tap rooted for enhanced drought tolerance, which helps it through dry summers. It is highly recommended for shorter-term 2 to 4 year cropping rotations in lower to medium rainfall zones and suits 350mm+ rainfall. It also performs well where disease and nematode susceptible varieties will not persist.
Is Sceptre Lucerne good for hay and silage?
Yes, Sceptre Lucerne is ideal for hay, grazing and silage. It's a tall, large-leaved, highly winter active variety with good production in other seasons too. Its excellent disease and pest resistance helps keep stands productive between cuts, and ongoing fertiliser applications support good yields.
Sceptre vs L97 lucerne, which is better?
It depends on your rotation and rainfall. Sceptre Lucerne is an older, widely adapted, highly winter active variety with a strong disease and nematode resistance profile, best suited to 2 to 4 year rotations from 350mm rainfall. L97 Lucerne has outstanding winter growth and produces in both saline and non-saline soils from 400mm. Both tolerate mild salinity.
