Which lucerne is best if I mainly want to make quality hay and have the stand last for years?
We recommend L70 Lucerne, a highly persistent lucerne known for high-yielding quality hay. Its high leaf-to-stem ratio lifts both quality and yield, and it has excellent pest and disease resistance. It has a winter activity rating of 7, suits 400mm+ rainfall on sandy to loamy soils, and we supply it Goldstrike coated.
Is a winter dormant lucerne better than a winter active one?
It depends on your system. Our L70 Lucerne has a winter activity rating of 7 and is valued for persistence and quality hay, while highly winter active types such as L91 Lucerne and L97 Lucerne (rating 9) give more cool-season feed and extended autumn and winter grazing. If long-lived hay stands are the goal, we recommend L70.
What sowing rate should I use for lucerne on a dryland farm?
For our L70 Lucerne we recommend 4 to 10 kg/ha on dryland country, and 18 to 25 kg/ha under irrigation. Use the higher end of the dryland range where rainfall is more reliable. L70 needs at least 400mm rainfall, suits sands to loams, and should be inoculated with Group AL.
Can lucerne cope with sandy soils that get a bit wet and slightly salty?
L70 Lucerne suits sandy to loamy soils and tolerates mild salinity, but it is not rated for waterlogging, so we recommend avoiding paddocks that stay wet. For wetter, saltier ground, talk to us about Tyrrell Tall Wheatgrass, which tolerates waterlogging and salinity on sands to heavy soils, or Puccinellia on loams to heavy soils.
How should I graze a lucerne stand so it lasts?
We recommend rotational grazing rather than set stocking, and easing grazing pressure over summer so you don't graze out the crown. Our L70 Lucerne is highly persistent, which suits long-term stands, but good grazing management is still key. Talk to us about the right timing for the first graze of a new stand.
Which lucerne has good resistance to aphids and diseases?
L70 Lucerne has excellent resistance to pests and diseases, which helps stands stay productive and persistent. If aphids are your main concern, our Sceptre Lucerne is rated resistant to spotted, bluegreen and pea aphids. L70 has a winter activity rating of 7, suits 400mm+ rainfall on sands to loams, and is ideal for grazing and hay.
Is lucerne hay OK to feed my horses?
Good quality lucerne hay is widely fed to horses and valued for its protein and palatability, though it's rich, so we suggest feeding it as part of a balanced ration. Our L70 Lucerne is known for high-yielding, leafy, quality hay with a high leaf-to-stem ratio. Always cure hay well to avoid mould.
What should I sow with lucerne for a grazing pasture on sandy loam?
We recommend sowing L70 Lucerne with a grass to spread feed through the year. Depending on rainfall, Wimmera Annual Ryegrass or New Tetila Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass add winter feed, while Gatton Panic Grass suits lighter soils for summer feed. Six Point Chicory also mixes well in 550mm+ areas. Ask us about our Mix & Match Custom Pasture Blends.
What do I need to do to get lucerne to nodulate properly?
Lucerne needs Group AL inoculant at sowing so the rhizobia can form nodules and fix nitrogen. We recommend this for our L70 Lucerne, along with sowing into moist, well-prepared soil. Very acidic soils can limit nodulation, so soil test first and lime where needed.
L70 vs Sceptre lucerne, which is better for hay?
For long-term hay stands we recommend L70 Lucerne: it is highly persistent, has a winter activity rating of 7 and a high leaf-to-stem ratio for quality. Sceptre Lucerne is an older, highly winter active variety recommended for shorter 2 to 4 year rotations, and also suits hay, grazing and silage. Both have excellent pest and disease resistance.
