LUCERNE FOR GRAZING

Southland Times, Issue 23408, 15 January 1938, Page 14

LUCERNE FOR GRAZING

Many farmers outside the recognized lucerne-growing districts of Queensland have become interested in the possibility of successful utilizing lucerne for grazing. Evidence has accumulated that lucerne is adaptable to the conditions prevailing in the drier agricultural areas, when sown on suitable soils, states The Australasian. The cost of seed may deter graziers from sowing large areas, if seeding at the rate of 101 b or more an acre is contemplated, but experience shows that lighter seedings of 31b to 41b are ample for districts having a rainfall in the vicinity of 20in per annum. Sown in this way, the plants have sufficient space to develop large crowns which withstand stocking better than spindly growths. It is admittedly difficult to obtain a good germination. Land should therefore be prepared well in advance, and arrangements made to sow as soon as moisture conditions are favourable in autumn or early winter. The seed requires only a light covering of soil. The drill hoes should therefore be allowed to drag lightly on the surface, giving additional covering with the light harrows usually attached. If a grass seed attachment is not fitted to the drill, the lucerne seed may be sown through the fertilizer-box, after mixing it with superphosphate in suitable proportions to ensure a sowing of 31b to 41b of seed an acre; but care should be taken to sow as soon as possible after mixing, otherwise the vitality of the seed will be affected.

When the lucerne has made up to 12in of top growth, the area may be fed off—stocking heavily so as to clean it up in a few days. Continuous grazing is detrimental to stands of lucerne, a better plan being to allow the crop to mature partially before stocking heavily for a short period. Several small paddocks are therefore more suitable than one large paddock. With the exception of the heavier clays and light cypress pine lands, lucerne should prove an excellent rotational crop for the wheat lands of the Western Downs and Maranoa.