This they do by lowering the pH to 4.2 or lower. Lucerne is an outstanding legume for grazing because of its high yield, quality and wide adaptability to different climates and soil types. It must be remembered that full-grown lucerne has a lower energy and digestible protein content than young lucerne. The secret is in the resting period. Lucerne will provide additional green feed at the start and at the end of the normal winter growing season with peak production in spring and early summer. If it is under irrigation, then the best time for this is from the middle of May to the middle of June. Information about this matter will be provided by the company with which you sign a contract. Everywhere in the world lucerne planted for seed is sown in rows, as this gives the highest seed production. The land must be surrounded by an isolation area which: Such an isolation area must be free of any plants of any lucerne cultivar or any species of Medicago which flowers at the same time as the plants on the piece of land concerned, unless: Whether lucerne intended for seed production should be irrigated is determined by soil texture and depth, rainfall, evaporation, temperature, length of growing period and cultivation practices.The highest production is obtained when irrigation practices prevent stress and encourage slow but sustained growth throughout the growing period without excessive stimulation of vegetative growth. In most lucerne seed producing areas, lucerne is sown in the autumn. Producers who want only high quality lucerne will prefer a shorter stand and lower yield. Ensiling lucerne has many advantages over making hay, when it comes to retaining quality. (From 750 to 800 kg of water is required for every kilogram of dry matter produced.) Acidity in soils can be corrected by applying lime. If it is under irrigation, then the best time for this is from the middle of May to the middle of June. The process takes 2-3 weeks. 4. It is also a widely known fact that lucerne is a good source of protein and can therefore be useful for feeding broodmares, growing horses and horses in intense work. Sticker Lucerne established and persisted (over three years) when grown with tropical grass (digit grass). The cultivation and management of mixtures is therefore complex, more so as research results in SA are also limited. This should be followed by a rest period of 40-50 days before animals are again allowed on it. Herbage production of digit grass was similar irrespective of the lucerne sowing rate, indicating that total production increased with lucerne sowing rate (0.5 to 2.0 kg/ha). If it is intended to produce basic seed, must be at least 200 m wide where the area intended for production is 2 ha or less, and at least 100 m wide where the area intended is more than 2 ha, and, If it is intended to produce certified seed, must be at least 100 m wide where the area intended for production is 2 ha or less, and at least 50 m wide where the intended area is more than 2 ha, In the case of planned production of basic seed, these plants have been established from breeders seed of the same cultivar, and. Regrowth left on the plant through the winter protects the crown and the growing points against cold damage. 11 tips for growing the best lucerne stand 1. This will cause poor germination and inadequate growth. Seed producers must irrigate lucerne till before flowering, and again after pollination is complete. Lucerne silage can be divided into three types: high moisture silage made immediately from the cut lucerne while it still has a moisture content of 70%; wilted silage, which has 60-70% moisture, and low moisture silage with a moisture content of 40-60%. Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is also known as ‘alfalfa’, which means ‘best fodder’ – and this says it all. In 1996, this was equivalent to approximately 83 000 ha of pure lucerne and 153 000 ha in mixed pastures. These stored non-structural carbohydrates are the main source of energy during winter. Protection of the leaves during hay making is necessary, as leaves contain more nutrition than stems. Weather conditions have little influence on the process. After the lucerne is cut in the spring, the regrowth will begin flowering within 30-40 days, depending on cultivar. Therefore, it is recommended that alfalfa fields be rotated with other species (for example, corn) before reseeding. It also allows the lucerne a longer regrowth period if the cut lucerne is immediately removed from the field. The cut lucerne is then removed from the land and dried, baled, milled and/or stored. In other words lucerne plants produce a chemical(s) which suppress the germination and growth of lucerne seedlings. For every ton of dry material, lucerne withdraws the following from the soil: This constant depletion is another reason to carry out a comprehensive soil analysis. Lucerne exhibits autotoxicity. From a plant-physiological point of view the tendency of the lucerne and the grass to compete for light, water, and nutritional elements, are further factors deter-mining the success of a mixture. This has been a satisfactory method in the past and is still popular. It should be grazed as rapidly as possible for 7-10 days when in the late vegetative stage. Well-drained soil with few soluble salts and the potential for roots to grow to 1.5 m or more, is ideal for production of lucerne seed under irrigation. © 2020 Farmer's Weekly Magazine | Caxton Magazines Digital |, SA soils ‘extremely degraded’ by unsustainable farming, Young pig farmer shares lessons learnt during her first five years, Advice on how to start a broiler business, Why Africa’s food supply needs a regional approach, Water stress affects more than 80% of SA cropland. The quantity of stems and leaves is equal at early flowering stage, but by late flowering 60% of the total yield consists of stems and only 40% of leaves. The following spacing is recommended for single rows: It is recommended that the wider spacings should rather be used. For higher rainfall southern regions, successful spring sowing of lucerne is achievable. Shortening the time on the land has a considerable influence on leaf loss, and the hay quality is greatly enhanced by a short drying period. Propagate by seed or division every 2-3 years. So begin by making sure the soil is correct for the crop. The two most common sowing techniques are a seed-bag and a fertiliser spreader. In Argentina millions of hectares of CUF 101 are successfully grazed. The ideal legume:grass ratio of 30:70 in a mixture is determined by many factors, of which choice of species, planting date, sowing density, stand density, planting method (rows vs. broadcast), soil fertility, timing and height of grazing, are probably the most important. Too late, and many flowers will wither before they can be visited. Water availability and temperature, as well as the dormancy of the cultivar, greatly influence the productivity and survival of lucerne, as does the choice of a cutting schedule suitable for the region. Producers often use a combination of factors in scheduling hay making. Lucerne grows well in deep soils that are not acidic. Source: Infopak by K Lategan, Elsenburg/ Upington Agricultural Research Station. Plough deep, breaking up impervious layers to ensure This characteristic makes this possibly one of the most grazing-resistant semi-dormant cultivars available. Producers of certified seed must register with the Directorate Plant and Quality Control (Dept Agric) according to the Plant Improvement Act. The digestibility and protein concentration of stems drops more rapidly with maturation than that of the leaves. When mixing large quantities of seed, it’s a good idea to use a drum, or even a concrete mixer. A rotation of 5 years is advised between lucerne … Foliar feeding has a relatively small influence on seed production. It is generally recommended that lucerne be dried to <15% moisture content before the hay is baled. Where it is used as a substitute for maize silage, the rations must be supplemented. Nutrients. By using a crimper, water loss is speeded up, and risks reduced. The lifespan of the sward is determined by the rate of death of the plants, and this is the result mainly of root diseases. The low seed production in dense stands can be partially attributed to low production of nectar, lack of attraction for pollinators and increased abortion of flowers. Lucerne can be grown on a wide variety of sites and soil types. Row spacings from 5-12 m are used commercially.. This rain will also promote the development of secondary roots. Various factors influence the persistence of lucerne under grazing, i.e. Problems with removing air from the plastic bags has often led to low quality silage or total loss. Apart from the fact that chemical weed control is impossible, the following are the main reasons for this: Because more vigorous and long-lived lucerne cultivars have been developed, as well as improved management practices, it is seldom the case today that the grass component predominates over the lucerne after a couple of seasons. Lime being spread on a paddock prior to sowing pasture The lucerne will probably be in full flower from the end of July till the middle of August, at which stage the harvesting process can be resumed. If the area is dry the crop can be put under irrigation. Lucerne seed is very fine, and large clods must be crushed to ensure a fine seed-bed. Grass fodder is used as an animal feed and can be produced in great numbers within 8 days from seed to grass for all livestock & even quicker with Co2 added. In this process, the plant enzymes and aerobic bacteria use the available carbohydrates to form heat and carbon dioxide. This might be expensive, but it is the only way to ensure a profitable yield. Problems with weeds and the cost of combating them can be reduced by well-planned rotation systems and cultivation. The seed must maintain close contact with wet soil for about three days to establish a seedling. If it is higher than 65%, chemical preservatives must be added. wasting it by sowing too much of it at once. After seed has set there is need to guard against too high a moisture content in the air, which may result in seed damage. Cutting schedules are based on the growth stage, fixed cutting intervals, or development of regrowth on the crown. An optimal rate is 20kg seed/ha to 25kg seed/ha. These are used during the early stages of regrowth after winter rest or cutting, then build up again in roots and crowns when the plant is mature and in full bloom, but generally reach a maximum at early flowering stage. Sub-soil moisture will sustain the seedling until follow-up rainfall occurs. The time interval between grazing periods is the most critical factor. Minerals such as formic acid, proprionic acid and lactic acids can be used as alternatives to lower the pH. Heavy soil with a good water-holding capacity will give a good seed yield with a single irrigation just before flowering, while lighter soil will need a second irrigation during flowering. It facilitates spraying against insects and weeds. SA Standard has a dormancy of 6, compared to most other grazing cultivars which have a dormancy of 2 or 3. In order for the lucerne plant to 'pump' or regrow, it must have sufficient reserves on which to draw when rainfall, temperature and day length combine to provide optimum conditions for growth. The optimum soil pH for lucerne is above 6.3 If soil pH is between 4.8 and 5.5, lucerne production may be reduced. General guidelines for soil and seed preparation. become plant available and to raise the pH closer to the desired level. Proper soil fertility will ensure that a planting establishes itself swiftly and vigorously, and remains productive. The seed of lucerne is small and needs to be sown to a maximum depth of 15mm otherwise a patchy, thin crop will result. Dryland lucerne must be allowed to grow out at the end of the summer, from February to late March. Clumps may be divided every 2 to 3 years in early spring. Most producers use 1-1.5 kg seed per ha with the aim of getting 3-7 plants per 300 mm in a row. Lucerne is the king of fodder, yielding a large volume of high quality hay that’s rich in protein. Isolation. SA Standard, a landrace which has developed under South African conditions, has a unique adaptation in that the crown has developed into a cigar-shaped diffuse organ which can form side branches from as deep as 15 cm below ground level. Undesirable bacteria of the genus Clostridium grow under these high pH conditions, forming butyric acid, ammonia and various amino acids associated with poor silage quality. It is a good practice to allow the last growth of the autumn to develop to full flowering to restore reserves, and only cut again in the spring. After lucerne has been harvested, it continues to respire actively for a short while. Lucerne can be cultivated under dry land conditions where the annual summer rainfall is higher than 400 to 500 mm and in winter rainfall areas where the annual rainfall is higher than 350 to 400 mm. If lucerne is ensiled straight off the land, leaf loss may be as low as 2-4%, while if it is made into hay, losses may run to 20-40%. Lucerne must be allowed to grow out to full flowering once a year. Proper soil fertility will ensure that a planting establishes itself swiftly and vigorously, and remains productive. Nutrients This drop is largely due to the increasing stem:leaf ratio and to an increase in the fibre content of the stems. Because it is a semi-permanent crop that covers the entire soil surface, errors made while establishing a planting are difficult to rectify. Yield, quality and persistence of the stand are important factors to be taken into account in the development of a profitable harvest-management program. Row configuration (either alternate 1:1 or 1:2 rows) did not affect either herbage production or persistence. 3. If there is a likelihood of the lucerne being damaged by frost, as on the Highveld, the resting period must either begin sooner or else the first growth cycle in the spring must be left to go to flowering. It has the ability to respond quickly to significant summer rainfall (>10 millimetres) but requires 20-25 millimetres (mm) to produce substantial growth. First mix the seed thoroughly with inoculate and leave it in the shade to dry before sowing it. Lucerne hay is cut with a rotary mower or sickle bar mower, usually at the early flowering stage. In South Africa, lucerne is grown under irrigation and as a dryland crop. Lucerne must be allowed to grow out to full flowering once a year. The choice of harvesting schedule begins with the decision as to what quality feed is required. Lucerne silage has more protein, calcium and phosphorous than some other silages, but less total digestible nutrients. In South Africa most lucerne seed is produced in the lower Orange River, Little Karoo and Calvinia districts. The number of cuts, cutting date, stage of maturity, interval between cuts and cutting height are factors to be taken into account in a harvest schedule. Avoid brackish soil. The showy blooms of Lucerne Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) grace gardens from May to June on the heels of spring bulbs. Milled maize, barley, wheat, oats or molasses can be used to provide carbohydrates for fermentation. Roll before and after sowing to help achieve fast germination and weed competitiveness. Weeds reduce the stand and the yield, complicate harvesting, increase cost of cleaning and may contaminate successive crops. Losses due to overheating, mould and breakdown of carbohydrates in lucerne hay that has been baled too damp (more than 20% moisture content) can be reduced by reducing plant and microbial metabolism. Pasture seed in the bottom of shallow tine furrows or small depressions (microsites or surface pitting) i… The more dormant the cultivar, the more the crown is protected, and the more the lucerne is resistant to damage-related crown- and root-diseases. the length of the grazing and resting periods, their timing with regard to growth, developmental stage and weather, as well as the grazing pressure. The advantages of establishing mixtures cannot be denied: Regions characterised by warm sunny summers with little or no summer rain are ideal for production of lucerne seed. This is due... 3. Use a good sticker medium, such as norilose, to ensure that the inoculate adheres well to the seed. 13kg calcium. Lengthy exposure to air can result in the loss of available carbohydrates. 21kg potassium. A 6 000 hectare piece of land has been identified in Chiredzi to grow the lucerne grass, a move that has been said would ensure revival of the livestock sector. Crimping of lucerne can shorten drying time by up to a day. It prefers well-drained soil about 1,2m deep. A sowing density of 300 g/ha has, however, been used with great success. In moist areas, the amount of digestible nutrients, protein and minerals, drops after early flowering because of leaf loss due to shade, age and diseases. Lucerne requires a rotational grazing system to ensure good stands at 2-3 years old. The plant is perennial with very deep roots that can go up to 6 metres under, so it can survive drought once established. Increasing appreciation of the value of high-quality lucerne in terms of potential savings in energy and protein supplementation, have resulted in reconsideration of harvest-strategies. The low pH inhibits the further growth of bacteria and the activity of enzymes. The seed producer must know the water-holding capacity of his soil and its fertility potential. 1. Less seed is needed to sow the same area. 2. Even non-dormant cultivars can be grazed with success. Lucerne, which is a high-protein feed, requires extra carbohydrate for good fermentation. 2,7kg sulphur. These nutrients should always be present and accessible. Is somewhat drought tolerant once established. of grasses. Though they bloom the heaviest in late spring and early summer, the plants may continue to bloom sporadically all summer long. Cutting at a specific growth stage also makes it possible to take into account the variation due to various environments and growth tempos. This leads to a decline of the stand and loss of productivity. Lucerne is more sensitive to pH and to a shortage of phosphate than grasses. There is less lodging of plants and the lower humidity reduces the incidence of leaf diseases and the amount of waterdamaged seed compared to broadcast stands. Below pH 4.8, it will be difficult to get satisfactory establishment and lucerne growth will be markedly reduced. This allows the crown of the establishing grass to develop. There is less danger of bloat because of the higher roughage-fibre intake from the grass component. Damage to young growth should be kept to a minimum. 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. The deciding factor is the adaptability of the cultivar. The less often a tractor is driven over the land, the less damage it will cause. Although the largest areas of lucerne are grown in This gives the maximum seed yield in the first year of production. Once established, prefers regular moisture but tolerates dry conditions. This is a reaction to the reduction in daylength and temperature. Such a climate encourages the flowering of lucerne and provides favourable conditions for bee pollination and ripening of the seed, which must occur under dry conditions to prevent it becoming discoloured. Poor quality hay may be the result of rain damage. The most critical time in making silage is the first couple of hours after storage. It is native to North America and forms clumps of slender long foliage topped in spring with small periwinkle flowers. Choosing the right paddock There must be sufficient water through the spring and summer to prevent stress while the flowers are being pollinated and the seed is ripening. Sisyrinchium 'Lucerne' ... dark green, grass-like foliage gives way to bright purplish-blue, star-like flowers. When the leaves begin to drop as a result of lack of water, the lucerne should be cut to limit further loss. Unpredictable thunderstorms may hamper the process, however, especially in summer rainfall areas, as they reduce the quality of the hay. “Lucerne is most commonly drilled in the spring, with DairyCo research work at Harper Adams and number of other sites suggesting that late summer is generally less successful. This is recommended only for lucerne intended for seed production, with a limited lifespan, not for hay or grazing. Grazing differs from mechanical harvesting in that the photosynthetic material is removed gradually over a period of time, and also removal is not as complete. Where it is grown for grazing, mixtures make management difficult in terms of frequency of grazing, fertilisation, and the eventual effect on the botanical composition of the pasture. It is not the general practice in South Africa to plant lucerne together with a grass component. It also reduces leaf drop. Sowing Rates & Depth: Seeding rates of 11 - 15 kgs per hectare apply to either bare or coated seed. After 2-4 days the lucerne can be baled, and it must be removed from the lands as soon as possible after this. The plant is a bright addition to any location in the garden. Sowing dry ensures that pasture seed is in the right position to take advantage of the next rainfall to start germination. Nitrogen fixed by Rhizobium is available for the grass component (especially under grazing), and little or no N supplementation is needed during the season. It is generally known that the quality of lucerne hay drops as the plant matures. The critical level of moisture is determined by storage conditions, temperature and ventilation. The most important weeds to note are dodder (Cuscuta), tongblaar (Plantago), wild oats (Avena), ryegrass (Lolium), hondebos (Chenopodium), misbredie (Amaranthus), kiesieblaar (Malva), predikantsluis (Bromus) and stinkblaar (Datura). Sowing with a companion grass mix helps out-compete weeds enabling lucerne leys to be left down for longer. Regrowth after the second and later cuts may have already begun when the lucerne begins flowering. Deadhead if reseeding is not desired. Small quantities of nitrogen and phosphate (15-20 kg/ha) can be applied at or before planting time to encourage growth and development of the young plants, which are not yet at a stage where they can fix sufficient N for themselves. In order to prevent seepage from the silo and the production of poor quality silage, the lucerne must remain in the windrows until moisture content is about 65%. This process can be advanced by use of rollers, crimpers and cutters, and the drying time may be reduced by as much as 30%. Lucerne grazing is mainly used in the following regions in South Africa: Where lucerne is chiefly grown for hay, mixtures affect application of fertiliser, harvesting methods and quality. The quality of feed intake is more balanced, as the lucerne component provides the protein and the grass component the roughage requirements of the ruminant. Overhead irrigation can be used successfully in seed production, especially on sandy soil where specific volumes of water must be given. Regrowth left on the plant through the winter protects the crown and the growing points against cold damage. After scattering the seed, cover it with soil using a roller or lucerne rake. 6-12" tall x 6-8" wide. Express TV the 24/7 Telugu news channel dedicated to Infotainment content. sufficient root penetration. There is greater flexibility in the management of irrigation. For every ton of dry material, lucerne withdraws the following from the soil: 2,7kg phosphate. Lucerne is traditionally used to make hay, but the weather conditions may sometimes be unsuitable. Under-sowing Spring Cereals. sufficient root penetration. If the soil is very loose, compact it slightly with a roller to ensure better contact between seed and soil. The tap root and crown of the lucerne pump act as the priming mechanism for the plant. It is unlikely that there will be serious losses of leaf material from leaf spot, as the cooler conditions of winter will inhibit its spread. Hay with 18% moisture can still be protected by adding small quantities of propionic acid. Successful lucerne seed production is influenced by the following factors, among others: With the exception of weather conditions, the producer has a reasonable degree of control over factors influencing seed production. Lucerne plants draw their water from a soil depth of 1.2 m, but the best results in seed production are obtained when water absorption up to 0.5 m is well controlled. This limits the processes of respiration and the growth of fungus. It is simpler to control weeds when lucerne is still at the seedling stage. The protein is of outstanding quality with a good amino acid profile, especially for non-ruminant animals such as pigs, poultry, ostriches and horses. Fertilisation will mainly depend on the fertility of the soil and the soil analysis. NH   or organic acids are used to gain control of these and to preserve the hay. Deep clay soil, clayey loam or sandy clay soil with a high water retention capacity is preferable to sandy soil. Water deeply and regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system. The use of desiccants to dry hay more quickly, is a promising new method. Despite the common name blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium is a relative of iris and the fine blue-green foliage is quite reminiscent of the flattened, sword-like blades of an iris, only much finer. This is a great little plant for accents along walkways or in rockeries. If it is necessary to cut the lucerne because of water shortage before it has fully flowered, then the spring growth should be allowed to grow out. Good pollination comes before a good harvest. Approximately 30 per cent of the pure lucerne area and 30 per cent of the mixed lucerne area is resown annually. High levels of carbohydrate allow rapid recovery after harvesting or after winter. ), etc., should be avoided, or else the weeds brought under control before sowing time. There are cultivars with broad crowns that are grazing tolerant, but these are often from such a low-dormancy group that they have a very low yield under SA conditions. Lucerne will not in general tolerate a waterlogged soil and this is commonly the cause of die out over winter. Various varieties of grass fodder include, but are not limited to, barley, oat grass, lucerne grass, rye grass or whatever grass one wishes to grow … Inoculate the seed with rhizobium bacteria before planting, carefully following the directions on the packaging to ensure that the correct amount is used. If the cereal, usually spring barley, is cut as silage at the milky stage this provides a conservation crop in a year of establishment. Plants grow more erect and are therefore more accessible to pollinators, there is more light, and soil and air temperatures are higher early in the season. Almost any garden soil is where to plant blue eyed grass and it will attract bees and feed wild birds throughout the years. Land infested with perennial grass weeds such as Bermuda grass/kweek (Cynodon dactylon), Johnson grass (Sorghum sp. 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