0000027985 00000 n © 2010, Genetic Technologies Limited. Adequate dormancy is important for the persistence or longevity of the crop, as well as protecting the plant from winter cold. Regrowth left on the plant through the winter protects the crown and the growing points against cold damage. Lucerne or alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a deep-rooted, temperate, perennial pasture legume which is well adapted to mixed farming systems in southern Western Australia. Remaining predominantly Catholic, Lucerne hosted its own annual passion play from 1453 to 1616, a two-day-long play of 12 hours performance per day. Explore Lucerne holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Planting dates, cutting schedules & number of cuts are all influenced by management & the environment. Second & Consecutive Years Management Schedule. 0000009329 00000 n Recommended Planting Time: Spring, or during the wet season, soil temperature should be at least 20°C for germination, a higher soil temperature will give a more even germination. Select well-drained paddocks, soils that waterlog at any time in the year create conditions for fungal diseases, and avoid paddocks with more than 4 ppm aluminium in the subsoil. Area of lucerne in NSW (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 1922 –97, estimates 1997 –2000) SUMMARY Lucerne is a temperate perennial legume capable of producing high quality forage throughout the year, but its main production period falls in the spring, summer and early autumn. Lucerne establishes best when spring-sown, using inoculated seed at 3-7 kg/ha, although rates used can be as high as 8-10 kg/ha. Moderate tolerance of soil salinity and sodicity 4. With this management strategy, you may for example maintain a 2m x1m fodd Knock down spray to remove actively growing … Lucerne can be sown from April right through the spring and summer. Herb. Lucerne Planting & Harvest Calendars . Lucerne ( Medicago sativa) Description. This calendar is a GUIDE ONLY. This calendar is a GUIDE ONLY. LUCERNE Spring Planting Establishment Schedule . Perennial, year round production 2. (Figure 2). Field preparation. They’re generally short-lived – about 10 years – but in that time they can grow remarkably big to a bush about 4m tall. Lucerne Seed for Sale QLD NSW VIC SA NT ONLY Lucerne Medicago sativa Form and Function: Legume. 1. In South Africa, lucerne is grown under irrigation and as a dryland crop. Lands where cutting has been completed must be left for a day, or even longer, depending on the prevailing temperature and humidity, before the lucerne is raked into windrows to dry out before baling. Lucerne is the king of fodder, yielding a large volume of high quality hay that’s rich in protein. 42 0 obj <> endobj It provides strategies to improve the effi ciency, productivity, profi tability and sustainability of lucerne hay production, so that producers can %PDF-1.4 %���� Further benefits from growing lucerne derive from its remarkable tap root system. Sowing time. First Year Management Schedule. 0000003965 00000 n As the confederacy broke up during the Reformation, after 1520, most nearby cities became Protestant, but Lucerne remained Catholic. With a simple fertilizer plan, Lucerne can be hugely successful and help costs during a time of increasing imports, according to Harper Adams University agronomist, Louisa Dines. Roll before and after sowing to help achieve fast germination and weed competitiveness. Afterwards it was introduced in Europe and called ‘lucerne’. 0000047516 00000 n ��:���v[�!�o$���Q%qwů����Oo/������J��9��J����vAIڏ�6�2r����H.�3�_�qT��OW7J����R��9�(K �Iy~z���;ؑ[��O�)���*��h����c�4Aa0.Q����x��p�X�N�/��iD�*�S��>�BC�����\9���&¦r��1�z,[В�����T롄����j�q�� �k��MԵ��@L*�ץ�Ac��p����]1�Y�� �T�����ҺI�*��5 �����L�IS�T^��{��EH��0�ѐ�;�:�nOoI|����#�B� >H��#. 0000178471 00000 n 0000028313 00000 n High nutritive value Alfalfa (/ æ l ˈ f æ l f ə /), also called lucerne and called Medicago sativa in binomial nomenclature, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae.It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. 0000047957 00000 n The seed of lucerne is small and needs to be sown to a maximum depth of 15mm otherwise a patchy, thin crop will result. Within the next 150 years it became a popular forage crop in many countries including Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. 0000028490 00000 n 0000001366 00000 n xref Treating lucerne seed is recommended in any instance for successful establishment. For further information on the successful growing, harvesting & incorporation of Pioneer® brand lucerne into New Zealand farm systems phone the Pioneer Advice Line toll-free on 0800 PIONEER (0800 746 633). Sowing with a companion grass mix helps out-compete weeds enabling lucerne leys to be left down for longer. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop.The name alfalfa is used in North America. Lucerne is a high protein leguminous plant that fixes atmospheric nitrogen for release to subsequent crops. Widely grown perennial legume with its main growth in spring, summer and autumn. 0000057997 00000 n <<671C82650377184CBA0BEDB732A3673B>]/Prev 1011351>> Growing Lucerne need not be a headache if some simple growing rules are applied, a leading UK academic has said. Often regarded as the king of fodder crops, lucerne is a reliable, deep-rooted perennial legume suited to dryland and irrigation systems on a range of soil types across variable climatic conditions. It’s important to select a paddock that is free draining and free of perennial weeds (i.e. Lucerne is the third most widely grown pasture Second and subsequent years. 0000003854 00000 n 0000002088 00000 n trailer Seed teatments for lucerne include applying Rhizobia to the seed to aid nodulation of lucerne roots and Apron® XL fungicide and Poncho® Plus insecticide are also applied to provide each plant the best possible start to establish. �O�0.�� 0000009363 00000 n It is expected that the period between Planting to first cut is 42 days. 0000180337 00000 n Dual purpose (grazing and hay) 6. Like berseem, Lucerne also needs very fine seedbed, as the seeds are very small. Responds quickly to spring and summer rainfall (or irrigation) 5. Growing Lucerne sowing. Sow the seed 2.5 cm deep. Planting dates, cutting schedules & number of cuts are all influenced by management & the environment. It uses 21kg K, 13kg Ca, 2.7kg Mg, 2.7kg P, 2.7kg S and 25-30kg N to produce 1ton dry matter. Alternative is to sow pure lucerne into a standing stubble; lucerne and cover crop sown in alternate rows. Sowings in the late summer will result in heavier crops in the following spring. Deep rooting, extracts water and nutrients from depth, restricts watertable recharge 3. endstream endobj 43 0 obj <>>> endobj 44 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 595.276 841.89]/Type/Page>> endobj 45 0 obj <> endobj 46 0 obj <> endobj 47 0 obj <>stream for growing, making and marketing lucerne hay, turning the art of lucerne hay production into a science. Maize for Silage Growing and Harvesting Costs Calculator, Maize for Silage Hybrid Performance Information, Maize for Grain Hybrid Performance Information, More Research, More Product Choices, More Grower Profit, The Complete Guide to Harvesting Maize Silage, How To Make Quality Pasture Cereal and Lucerne Silage Guide. It is best suited to a wide range of well‑drained, slightly acid to alkaline soils (pH Ca 5.2 - 7.5). Introduction: Lucerne thought to have originated in Iran, from where it travelled to the Arab countries where it was called alfalfa, meaning “best fodder”. Generally speaking, cooler growing conditions slow down the growth of lucerne reducing the number of cuts for the season & ultimately final yields. If it is under irrigation, then the best time for this is from the middle of May to the middle of June. Lucerne prefers fertile soil which is rich in organic matter, calcium, phosphorus, and potash. 42 29 startxref However early autumn sowings can also be successful. 0000004837 00000 n Like all legumes, including gorse and broom, tree lucerne makes very hot burning firewood, hotter than gum or pine. 0000047880 00000 n In the Karoo lucerne can be sown under irrigation at any time of the year except in June and July. 70 0 obj <>stream Ideal for small block plantings due to its ability to outcompete many other plants when fully grown. The lucerne plant is triggered to flower when temperatures start to cool and the day length shortens, or when the lucerne hasn't been grazed for a period of time. Lucerne is a summer-growing plant that has a period of dormancy over winter (depending on variety), to build up its store of energy for growth in spring and summer. In the case of a cash crop being fitted in beforehand, at least two months must be allowed after harvesting it, before the lucerne is planted, in order to allow complete breakdown of the crop residue. 0000003323 00000 n Preparation of lands for the planting of lucerne should preferably be started during the spring before the expected autumn planting date. The time and money spent on the preparation of the seedbed can be in vain due to the use of poor seed. 0 Lucerne Production Guide. ... Time of sowing. Its small size is handy for cutting slim logs from the branches or topping the trees to make more branches. Options include: sowing the cover crop first followed by the lucerne weeks or months later. You can cut lucerne five or six times a year. When lucerne is planted in rows, it should be done at a spacing of 600 mm - 900 mm apart. LUCERNE AUTUMN PLANTING Establishment Schedule . Dried lucerne pellets have a high carotene content, are high in energy and with a protein of up to 20% are a valuable feed for cattle, sheep and young stock. Name. 0000009440 00000 n 0000000016 00000 n One deep plowing with 2-3 harrowings followed by planking is sufficient. Lucerne can produce high yields from 18-30 tons of dry matter per ha per season when properly irrigated and given enough fertilizer. 7. Highly productive 7. h�b```b``~�����e� € "@16�C*O�c�� �)p}, U#�%UV�2�@��g���&O��S長�fI,��Tݮ9�yFVFR��)��E��f��)�d`�``06 MK� ��a@�T� � ��b3�Y�Oe��k��K23�?`ia�ap����A��{�!&��9, �60x`4`��To`���(�����o���� ��@SXRr�^3���� 0000028376 00000 n This will deplete the plant’s reserves, which in turn will reduce yield. Optimum Planting Date for Lucerne is from February to May. ��f�L �d������ ��N� %%EOF Possible weed control spray options: Pre-planting. 0000001774 00000 n A further specialist use is for drying when it is made into high protein meal or pellets. The best time is, however, during late summer (February to April). 0000001249 00000 n The cover crop may be sprayed out before or after the lucerne is sown. | Recipe for a gorgeous Swiss city: take a cobalt lake ringed by mountains of myth, add a well-preserved medieval Altstadt (Old Town) and a reputation for making beautiful music, then sprinkle with covered bridges, sunny plazas, candy-coloured houses and waterfront promenades. An established lucerne pasture provides an alternative source of forage for animal production, especially outside the growing season of annual crops and pastures. Use our online selectors to find the best hybrid for your location. Seed Force™ has been at the forefront of the lucerne resurgence in New Zealand – today it’s the backbone of many high production grazing and cutting systems. 0000047263 00000 n Paddock selection. 0000048224 00000 n Planting Depth: It can be direct-seeded, or planted into forestry tubes and later transplanted. Alternatively, lucerne can be planted in spring (August - September), which is the preferred planting time on the Highveld. The best sowing time of the crop is mid-October to early November. 0000663941 00000 n Lucerne belongs to the legume family, which means that, working with soil bacteria called rhizobia, it is able to fix nitrogen to make it available for plant growth. Some management guidelines recommend allowing lucerne plants to flower each year. HARVESTING TIME Lucerne is mechanically harvested First cutting should commence at the bud stage and the subsequent cuttings follow just after flowering. 0000002201 00000 n couch, yarrow, browntop etc.) Figure 1. 0000004362 00000 n On the Highveld, rows of 30 cm are often used when the pasture is grazed by sheep. 0000000876 00000 n If sown in spring, August and September would be the best months to sow. Cover crop options/techniques. Interactive tools that will assist you in making decisions to help you achieve the most out of your investment. However, the later sowings carry a greater risk of establishment failure due to the onset of cooler growing conditions in the autumn. greater risk of sowing the lucerne too deep. Refer to the Pioneer® Lucerne Manual for details on herbicides labeled for use on lucerne in New Zealand & check product labels for timing & application. Among the growing towns of the confederacy, Lucerne was especially popular in attracting new residents. Find your local representative by clicking on your region below. 0000009213 00000 n H�lUMs�6��W��0_zkjד�IZ��NG�(��$;���}w�R�J���x��|�V����suq}�au�.ږ���r���h� First year – post-emergence. Establishment: Lucerne is best established during the spring months typically mid August through to late November. Drought resistant. 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