Lucerne, A Pasture Replacement

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31333, 1 April 1967, Page 9

Lucerne, A Pasture Replacement

In most parts of Canterbury the growing season is affected to some extent—sometimes severely—by summer dry periods. Lucerne has presented us with an opportunity to not only minimise the effects of the dry period but also to greatly increase production, says Mr M. J. H. Davison, a farm advisory officer of the Department of Agriculture at Rangiora.

“On suitable soils lucerne invariably outyields orthodox pastures. It also has a greatly reduced variability from year to year. This reduces the need for large feed reserves for droughts, etc. “In the following table, soils ranging from light and stoney to well-drained mixed cropping soils are considered under different rainfalls, The table shows, in lbs of dry matter per acre per year fl) what lucerne itself will produce; (2)' what could be expected from overdrilling lucerne in the autumn for winter feed; (3) what orthodox pastures will produce; and (4) what could be expected from orthodox pastures using new species. “These estimates have been derived from what information we have on production cuts in a range of conditions. They are theoretical, but do serve as a guide for this discussion. Lucei

“There are indications that the winter grass production in lucerne stands is largely additive. If this was the then at 15001 b dry matter (per ewe per year, a possible 24,0001 b of dry matter per year from well drained mixed cropping soils would represent 16 ewes to the acre. This is admittedly a theoreti-

cal carrying capacity, but if it could be achieved it would

take a very good mixed cropping programme to result in

anything like the consequent financial outcome.

“These figures, for suitable lucerne Mils, show lucerne itself outyielding present orthodox pastures in every case. “The following table gives some idea of the estimated variability in production from year to year for lucerne and orthodox pastures:—

“For lucerne this table shows a much lower variability in low rainfall areas. For higher rainfall areas the variability from year to year is similar to orthodox pastures. “Lucerne, like clover, has a very high food value. The rne-based Clover-based

where a pasture consists of clover and ryegrass you would expect the average feed value to be tower than with lucerne alone. For mineral content lucerne compares very favourably.

“Ideally lucerne should be allowed to grow to the hay stage then eaten off quickly with a big mob on a small area. The yield may be reduced by 20 to 40 per cent by more or less continuous grazing as is common. “The life of lucerne stands is often reduced by weeds; However, with modern chemicals and our understanding of the plant this source of wasteage can be minimised. When grazed intermittently lucerne can stand very severe grazing which many weeds cannot and

following table derived from the results of a trial carried out by Dr. J. W. McLean, Lincoln College, shows lamb growth rates from lucerne, clover and perennial ryegrass (lbs per day). Spring Autumn Clover .'. .53 .47 Lucerne .. .50 .35 Perennial Ryegrass 25 .25 “Thus lucerne is an ideal lamb fattening feed, and

this also has been a very effective method of weed control

“Although lucerne is fairly widely used in some districts there are big areas, particularly with lower rainfall, where this remarkable plant could be used to increase production in a very simple manner. “The answer to the question of how much lucerne should be grown is that, on good lucerne country, current thinking is 70 per cent “There are certainly disadvantages with lucerne, e.g. low winter growth, but these problems can be overcome by overdrilling cereals or other winter active grasses such as Tetrapioid Western Wolths. “Where a very high quality feed is produced and we can reasonably rely on as much as twice the production of orthodox pastures, then surely these problems are seen in a new perspective,” says Mr Davison.

s S 1r <» srp w3 c s 3 E® c 2 i o 3 a? gs 2o* E,® Stoney light . 25 8,000 4,000 12,000 3,000 2,000 5,000 h. 40 11,000 4,000 15,000 9,000 2,000 11,000 Stoney good 25 11,000 6,000 17,000 6,000 2,000 8,000 40 13,000 6,000 10,000 11,000 2,000 13,000 Well-drained 25 14,000 8,000 22,000 9,600 2,000 11,000 cropping .. 40 16,000 8,000 24,000 12,000 2,000 14,000

Kind of soil Rain Lucerne Pasture inches Variability Variability Stoney Light ... 25 7,000 — 10,000 1,500 — 5,000 .. 40 10,000 — 14,000 6,000 — 10,000 Stoney Good .. 25 9,000 — 13,000 4,000 — 9,000 .. 40 12,000 — 10,000 9,000 — 12,000 Well-drained .. 25 13,000 — 16,000 7.000 — 12,000 cropping .. 40 14,000 — 18,000 10,000 — 13,000