What's a good perennial to sow on deep sand in the South West that'll give me green feed through winter as well as summer?
We recommend L91 Lucerne, a highly winter active (rating 9) perennial that keeps growing through the cooler months. It prefers deep, well-drained soils from sands through to moderately heavy clays and suits areas with 400mm+ rainfall. It's highly palatable and digestible, so it works for grazing, silage and hay.
How much lucerne seed per hectare do I need for dryland versus under a pivot?
For our L91 Lucerne we recommend 4 to 10 kg/ha dryland and 18 to 25 kg/ha under irrigation. Use the lower end in drier country and the higher end where moisture is reliable. The seed is Goldstrike coated, and it needs Group AL rhizobia so it nodulates and fixes nitrogen properly.
My lucerne keeps dying out after a couple of summers of grazing, what am I doing wrong?
Most often it's grazing pressure over summer, which damages the crown. With a highly winter active variety like our L91 Lucerne, we recommend rotational grazing with rest periods so plants can rebuild reserves, and easing stocking pressure through summer. Good drainage and early pest control also help stands persist.
Can I grow lucerne on a paddock that gets a bit wet in winter?
Yes, L91 Lucerne is a good option because it tolerates periods of waterlogging, which many lucerne stands don't handle well. It still does best on deep, well-drained soils, so avoid paddocks that sit under water for long stretches. It also copes with slightly acidic to low pH soils.
Is there a lucerne that makes good hay and silage but can be grazed too in the Great Southern?
We suggest L91 Lucerne, which is highly palatable and digestible and suits grazing, silage and hay. Being highly winter active, it gives more cutting and grazing options through the cooler months. It needs 400mm+ rainfall and grows on sands through to moderately heavy clay, with good pest and disease resistance.
What stock problems should I watch for when putting cattle onto lush lucerne?
Bloat is the main risk when cattle go onto lush lucerne, so we recommend introducing them gradually, never turning hungry stock straight onto a fresh stand, and using bloat control products where needed. Sheep can occasionally get red gut on very lush feed. Our L91 Lucerne is highly palatable, so manage intake carefully early on.
What grass should I sow with lucerne for a mixed grazing pasture?
Lucerne such as our L91 pairs well with a grass, which helps dilute bloat risk and fill feed gaps. In higher rainfall country we often suggest Wimmera or Tetila ryegrass, or herbs like 6 Point Chicory and Tonic Plantain. For summer feed on sands, Gatton Panic or a Rhodes grass can also work. Talk to us about the best blend.
Will lucerne grow on acidic wheatbelt soils or do I need to lime first?
L91 Lucerne tolerates slightly acidic to low pH soils better than many lucerne varieties, but lucerne generally performs best when very acidic soils are limed. We recommend a soil test before sowing. It also needs well-drained soils, at least 400mm rainfall and effective Group AL inoculation to establish well.
L91 vs L70 lucerne, which should I pick?
L91 is highly winter active (rating 9), so it grows more in the cooler months and suits systems wanting winter feed. L70 is semi-winter dormant (rating 7), highly persistent and aimed at high-yielding quality hay on sands to loams. Both need 400mm+ rainfall and are sown at the same rates.
Is L91 Lucerne a new variety?
Yes, L91 Lucerne is a new addition to our range, sitting alongside L97 and L70 in our L series. It's highly winter active with good pest and disease resistance and improved forage production. We supply it Goldstrike coated, for sowing at 4 to 10 kg/ha dryland or 18 to 25 kg/ha irrigated.
