Lucerne

Fig 27.

Improved development of roots and foliage is seen in the lucerne seedlings on the right as a result of Seed Applied Solution seed treatment:

Lucerne offers the potential to provide an economic source of homegrown protein, reducing reliance on bought-in feed and fertiliser.

If you are looking for an alternative cutting crop, lucerne is certainly worth considering. It can also be grazed under specific conditions and, however you choose to use it, lucerne offers a highly digestible alternative for livestock farmers. It’s best suited to free-draining soils, so avoid heavier land, and is able to thrive in dry conditions. Similar to clover, lucerne provides a high protein homegrown alternative to bought-in feeds and leaves residual nitrogen in the soil for subsequent crops.

With good management, lucerne maintains quality for 4 - 6 years.

Benefits of lucerne • Highly palatable, protein-rich complementary feed to drive intakes • Outstanding yield and D-value • Good drought tolerance • Selected varieties for UK conditions • Lower ammonia excretion reducing environmental impact

Varieties selected for UK conditions

Timbale

Galaxie

Milky-Max

Supplied pre-inoculated and treated with Seed Applied Solution for better establishment and to stimulate early development