GRAZING LUCERNE

Southland Times, Issue 23308, 18 September 1937, Page 14

GRAZING LUCERNE

DAMAGE TO THE CROP Where it is intended to graze an area of lucerne great discrimination must be shown, or else considerable damage will be done to the crop. When it is young the roots have not firm enough hold of the ground to withstand the severe tugging and pulling that it would receive from large stock; therefore, while the stand is still young, it is advisable to graze only with small stock, and then by putting as many on as possible so as to shorten the time of grazing, and by taking them off before grazing bare has occurred. Where possible it is advisable to avoid grazing during the first two years. With sheep it is particularly necessary to exercise care in this respect, as these stock can graze very close to the ground and as a consequence, if left in the paddock too long will crop off the crowns of the plants, resulting in the following crops being considerably thinner. Continuous grazing of lucerne has a particularly bad effect on the crop, and to avoid this, when it is fit for grazing by ordinary stock, it is advisable to put as many on at a time as possible. This ensures that the whole crop will be eaten off even before the young shoots commence to appear on any portion. Care should be taken when grazing stock on lucerne that they are not let in when it is wet, either by rain or dew, or when they are very hungry. Hoven is likely to be caused by feeding this succulent feed to hungry stock. The danger is greatly increased when the plants are wet. When cattle are being introduced to this crop after a spell away from it, it is much better that they be well fed first, so that they will not be able to consume great quantities, or, if this is not possible, to turn them on for 30 minutes and take them off, letting them on again for a similar period a few hours later. They soon become accustomed to the crop and will be able to remain in the crop without danger. However, it must be said that grazing, whatever its advantages, materially lessens the life of a stand.