PRicketts
-Father and husband trading lambs and growing fodder.

Do you sow lucerne alone or undersow it?

Hi, I'm looking at establishing lucerne this year for sheep feed, but unsure how to best establish it. Cheers.

1803 days ago

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Hi,

So you can do both but lucerne is fine to be sown by itself. Our farm is an irrigated lucerne cropping enterprise with prime lambs being traded over winter. These are grazed on lucerne full time, as well as having access to hay & grain. It is important that lambs are vaccinated with a 5in1/6in1/8in1 before they are put onto lucerne, and access to hay is helpful in reducing the instances of feed related deaths due to things like pulpy kidney or red gut.

If you are planning to sow dryland lucerne, rates can range from 5kg/ha to 20kg/ha, depending on your rainfall area. If irrigation is possible, rates are around the 20-25kg/ha mark. Best option is to talk to a local agronomist regarding rates & best variety for your area!

Hope this is of some help to you - feel free to ask any more questions you have!

EmBoland
-Stock & Station agent, background in animal health & nutrition, business management and whole farm planning.

1794 days ago

Thanks Em so much for sharing your experience. So helpful. Appreciate it.
PRicketts | 1790 days

Dryland sow alone. I find too many failures when undersown, the crop takes all the moisture and unless it’s really wet or higher rainfall area than me. ~400mm annual. Forgo the crop this year and get a much better result with the Lucerne.