Cotswold Seeds - Organic Lucerne. High protein, high yielding, drought tolerant organic silage

At 20% protein lucerne is a great feed which is a good compliment to maize. It is leafy and low in fibre, breaking down rapidly into small pieces in the rumen, quickly passes out of the rumen, allowing a greater intake of forage than many other species. Lucerne is a nitrogen fixing legume and is therefore a suitable fodder plant for organic farmers. It has very high yields which are in the region of 14t/DM per hectare. It is very deep rooting and is noticeably higher yielding than perennial ryegrass leys in dry summers in many parts of England.

This high yield is very reliable due to its deep tap roots drawing moisture continually from the soil even in severe droughts. Lucerne has significant benefits but few people grow it, believing that it is difficult. The crop does require careful management but if the guidelines are followed there is nothing difficult about it. It is estimated that one million acres of land are suitable in the UK. However, best estimates amount to no more than 15,000 acres of lucerne currently being grown in the UK.

Successful Lucerne Growing
Lucerne is a long term, drought resistant and high yielding legume which is grown mainly for silage. Typically it will produce 3 or more cuts per year. It has a high protein content of around 18 22% and is a good source of vitamins and minerals. The majority of lucerne is grown pure or with a small inclusion of non aggressive grass seed as it has little tolerance of competitive grasses such as ryegrass. Although lucerne is usually ensiled it can also be made into hay. It should be handled carefully during the hay drying process as it is very delicate. It is a popular forage for horses and can therefore be a useful cash crop. A further possibility is to feed lucerne green. The risk of bloat is very real and for this reason the best way to feed fresh is to cut and leave for 24 hours prior to feeding.

Field Choice
The choice of field is important. Cotswold Seeds recommends for successful crops the pH must be in the region of 6.2 7.8 and to a reasonable depth. (A minimum pH of 6.0 to 1.5 metres is suggested.) Also the field must never become waterlogged as this will kill off the lucerne. The range of suitable soil types is considerable from clay loam to light chalk or limestone. Heavier soils should not be ruled out provided they are deep and permeable. The crop is very sensitive to poor drainage, compaction and will not tolerate acidic soils.

Sowing & Establishment
Lucerne is slower to establish than grass leys. For this reason many good farmers undersow lucerne to a spring cereal crop. The priority should be given to the lucerne by reducing the sowing rate of cereal by one third and cutting as arable silage or wholecrop. Others prefer to sow in the summer following an early harvested cereal such as winter barley. The middle of August is the latest date for sowing provided a good seedbed can be made and there is sufficient moisture available. Hard or frequent grazing should be avoided especially during its first year as the crop will not tolerate it. Although lucerne requires no nitrogen once established it may be beneficial to apply 25kg N when sown in the autumn. Phosphate and potash requirements are higher than for grass and need to be met to maintain yields. An ADAS Index 2 is required for P and K.

Lucerne

High protein, high yielding, drought tolerant silage