Publication Date
1989
Description
In New Zealand, lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is commonly grazed with sheep for much of the year, but winter production is low and alternative, higher-cost feeds need to be provided. However, in most lucerne-growing areas, winters are relatively mild (Lincoln June-August mean temperature 6.2°C), and the recent release of cool-season active cultivars has resulted in considerable farmer interest in winter grazing of lucerne. Standard winter dormant cultivars such as Wairau are normally grazed once in early June for aphid control (Smallfield et al., 1980), then remain ungrazed for at least three months. Coolseason active cultivars are known to produce more dry matter than Wairau in autumn (Palmer, 1961) and could possibly be grazed during the winter, but no information is available. This paper describes two trials where the lucerne cultivars Saranac, Wairau, Rere and Matador, which range from low to high winter activity, were compared during the cool season.
Citation
White, J.G H. and Lucas, W J., "Cool Season Grazing of Winter-Active Lucernes" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 45.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session3b/45
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Cool Season Grazing of Winter-Active Lucernes
In New Zealand, lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is commonly grazed with sheep for much of the year, but winter production is low and alternative, higher-cost feeds need to be provided. However, in most lucerne-growing areas, winters are relatively mild (Lincoln June-August mean temperature 6.2°C), and the recent release of cool-season active cultivars has resulted in considerable farmer interest in winter grazing of lucerne. Standard winter dormant cultivars such as Wairau are normally grazed once in early June for aphid control (Smallfield et al., 1980), then remain ungrazed for at least three months. Coolseason active cultivars are known to produce more dry matter than Wairau in autumn (Palmer, 1961) and could possibly be grazed during the winter, but no information is available. This paper describes two trials where the lucerne cultivars Saranac, Wairau, Rere and Matador, which range from low to high winter activity, were compared during the cool season.
