LUCERNE
LUCERNE
A high yielding drought tolerant crop that provides an excellent source of home-produced protein. Lucerne has a deep tap root so it is able to mine minerals from the soil, pulling them up from depth and making them available to livestock via the forage. It is grown primarily for cutting with three to four cuts per year, followed by end of season grazing potential. With the correct management, Lucerne should persist for up to five years. In order to grow Lucerne successfully, it is essential that the correct site is selected. Fertile soil, which is weed-free and free-draining is ideal for growing Lucerne and will allow for yield and quality to be maximised. Yield, winter hardiness (dormancy rating) and disease characteristics are very important when deciding on which variety to grow. • One of the highest yielding legumes (up to 12T DM/ha) • High protein content (18%-24%) • Low input – no N required as fixes N in the soil • Helps improve soil structure • Drought resistant • Palatable forage crop • High fibre content • Rich in provitamin A, which aids fertility
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