2016 lucerne technical advisor - pasture...

– LUCERNES FOR THE AUSTRALIAN FARMER –

pasturegenetics.com

2016 LUCERNE TECHNICAL ADVISOR

ROB SAYS

– ROB SAYS –

Pasture Genetics now boasts the largest lucerne breeding and development program in Australia with the highest level of investment directly into Lucerne breeding and development nationally.

Lucerne is the largest forage crop in the world for animal production, in Australia we still under utilise lucerne to drive livestock production. Given the adaptive ability of lucerne, most agricultural areas can successfully establish productive lucerne stands and impact farm profitability through increased livestock performance. We are currently seeing evidence of its wonderful adaptation and drought tolerance as many drought affected areas that have had some recent rains have seen an immediate response from dormant lucerne stands. In what looked like bare fields in the dry, now have lucerne emergence and feed on the way. The Pasture Genetics portfolio, ranges from more winter dormant material used in hay and pasture enterprises through to highly winter actives for cropping rotations. Pasture Genetics has the right fit for any option with lucernes now being bred for purpose grazing, hay production, irrigation or dryland. Pasture Genetics varieties come with “attributes built-in” to ensure livestock performance and persistence.

Pasture Genetics has the right lucerne to fit all requirement's. All Pasture Genetics lucernes have a minimum 90 percent germination. This far exceeds current industry standards. L56 has the highest levels of multiple pest and disease resistance of any lucerne variety in Australia and produces very high yields and exceptional forage quality. Grazing tolerant GTL®60 is a lucerne specifically bred for its grazing tolerance with a broad and low-set crown and excellent palatability. ML99 Multileaf® is a good quality option in the highly winter active category while L71 is a dryland specialist targeting grazing and hay production. Technical information sheets for all Pasture Genetics lucernes are available on our website and also follow up on Facebook and other social media for regular updates.

As a further commitment to Australian Farmers, customer service and seed quality, Pasture Genetics is now the only company in Australia to offer a 30 day Establishment Guarantee® on all our proprietary lucernes. Unfortunately establishment failures can occur, this half price seed replacement is offered on

all proprietary seed that fails to establish satisfactorily – regardless of drought, drift, planter malfunction, insect damage, chemical residue, chemical drift, excessive rainfall, stock damage and more. Pasture Genetics provides farmers with substantial savings if they need to replant their paddocks. Why plant Aurora when L70 has Establishment Guarantee® or Sequel when L91 has Establishment Guarantee®. With superior genetics, high seed quality, germination standards and the latest seed technology in Goldstrike®, Pasture Genetics is committed to guarantee its lucernes through to successful establishment in the paddock. Check out our website for more information on this unique safety net for our key farmer customers.

ROB DAMIN GENERAL MANAGER Pasture Genetics Pty Ltd

COVER IMAGE: Paul McCulloch, of Nundle, NSW, in L70 lucerne which established well and was used for sheep feed and silage production.

SELECTING THE RIGHT VARIETY FOR YOUR PADDOCKS1. What do I want the lucerne

in this paddock for? (hay or grazing, or dual-purpose)

2. When is the hay or grazing needed? (summer only, autumn and summer, etc)

3. How long do I want the stand to last? (3 year rotation, permanent pasture, etc) Photographs above courtesy of Success with Lucerne Publication 2000

WINTER DORMANT SEMI-DORMANT WINTER ACTIVE

LUCERNE VARIETAL SELECTION CHART VARIETY Q31 L56 GTL®60, L70, L71, Q75, L91,

L92, ML99 MULTILEAF®

Establishment Vigour Good. Best sown alone - not recommended for winter sowing

Very good - suitable for cover cropping and pasture mixes with perennial grasses

Excellent - suitable for cover cropping & pasture mixes with annual pastures

Growth 95% summer, 5% winter 90% summer, 10% winter 80% summer, 20% winter

Winter-Hardiness Very high High Moderate

Maturity Shorter growth. Delayed maturity for maximum cutting and grazing flexibility

Similar regrowth rates to most winter actives. Extended cutting

schedule and grazing periodFast regrowth, early maturity

Crown Below ground and broad - excellent grazing tolerance Low and broader - good grazing tolerance High and erect - strict rotational grazing

Forage Quality Premium grade hay, chaff and silage Very good quality hay, chaff and silage Good quality hay and silage if given the best cutting management

Adaptation Irrigation/coastal/cold climates. Best suited to medium and heavy soils

Dryland and irrigation. Suitable for soils ranging from deep sands to heavy clays

Dryland and irrigation. Suitable for most soil types

Dormancy 3 5 6 7 9 10

ACTIVITY WINTER DORMANT

SEMI WINTER DORMANT

WINTER ACTIVE

WINTER ACTIVE

HIGHLY WINTER ACTIVE

VERY HIGHLY WINTER ACTIVE

Irrigation - High Quality Hay Q31 L56 GTL®60 Q75 L91, L92 ML99

High Quality Dryland Q31 L56 GTL®60 L71, Q75 L91, L92 ML99

Heavy Grazing Tolerance Q31 L56 GTL®60 L71 - -

Price Competitive Dryland - - - L70 L91 -

1 pasturegenetics.com |

All products include Poncho® Plus Insecticideseedgrowth.bayer.comXLR8

XLR8

PLUS

Goldstrike® XLR8® Seed TreatmentThe XLR8® seed treatment package utilising Gaucho 600FS, has been used successfully over many years. Pasture Genetics are always looking at

new technology to help bring even better performance to our leading forage products. The new insecticide package Poncho Plus® is such advancement in the seed treatment market. The XLR8® treatment will now include Poncho Plus® as the main insecticide utilised as part of this package, which is applied directly to pasture grasses and legumes. Over many years research has confirmed that the addition of an insecticide to the seed before sowing significantly benefits the plant during establishment and early growth. The XLR8® treatment will protect emerging seedlings for 3-4 weeks after sowing against sucking and biting insects, like red legged earth mites (RLEM) and blue oat mite (BOM). The additional protection now with Poncho Plus® offers grass pastures protection from cutworm, yellow headed cockchafer, and african black beetle. Broadleaf pasture will also notice additional protection from Cutworm. Poncho Plus® also offers suppression against lucerne flea in grass, broadleaf and brassica pastures.

This time period is critical for seedling establishment, and reducing the impact from insects is a key to successful pasture production. The benefits from XLR8® not only comes from the insect protection, but has also shown long term benefit with early seedling plant growth. This has been demonstrated with stronger root systems in seedlings, leading to higher overall pasture establishment and long term pasture production. The success with high plant populations is critical to firstly reduce impact from in crop weed infestations and leads to longer term biomass production. The XLR8® seed treatment comes standard on Pasture Genetics forage brassicas, herbs, phalaris, sub tropical grasses and premium proprietary lucerne lines. These plants have demonstrated excellent seedling performance when XLR8® has been applied. This has led to quicker seedling vigour and rapid growth in the critical establishment phase. The XLR8® Seed treatment can be applied on request to all seed products where registration is applicable.

SEED TREATMENT BARE SEED + FOLIAR SPRAY

Poncho Plus Broadleaf Pasture

Poncho Plus Grass Pasture Gaucho® Chlorpyrifos Ground Spray

DimetheoateSP Foliar

(alpha cypermethrin)

REGI

STER

ED C

LAIM

S BE

NEFI

TS Redlegged Earth Mite ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Lucerne Flea ✗ ✓ ✓ ✗Blue Oat Mite ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Cutworm ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗YellowheadedPasture Cockchafer ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗African Black Beetle ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

BENE

FITS

May offer Stress Shield™ benefits ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗Up to 4 weeks systemic protection for emerging seedlings ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗Protection against some soil pests ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗Low impact on beneficial species ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗Targeted chemical placement ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗

PONCHO® PLUS COMPARISON CHART

PLUS

PLUS

PLUS

PLUS

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✗ ✓

✗ ✓

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

SEED TREATMENT

LONG LIFETM

DISPELLING A MYTH: SEED COATGoldstrike® vs untreated seed

Lucerne seed with 95% germination sown at 10kg/Ha sown under irrigation. Penfield Research Station 2007.

The trial confirmed that Goldstrike® treated seed achieved a higher actual plant establishment, with less seeds per kilogram planted, than untreated seed. This demonstrated the superior technology encapsulated in the Goldstrike® process.

UNTREATED SEED

SEEDS/KG

300,000 450,000

SEEDS SOWN/M2 @ 10KG/HA

300 450

PLANTS/M2 ESTABLISHED

200+ and effectively

nodulated (60% + of seeds

becoming established

plants)

180 (40% of seeds

becoming established

plants)

LONG LIFETM

Goldstrike® is the premium seed treatment in the Australian market. The treatment process and technical advances with Goldstrike® are ongoing. Pasture Genetics Goldstrike® seed treatment range comes standard with the Nutrient Enhanced package. It includes a complete starter package with macro and micro nutrients.

• Total genetic package in pasture legumes exclusive to Pasture Genetics

• More reliable and stronger stand establishment

• Proven effective nodulation and nitrogen fixation

• Improved potential for maximum yield

• Tougher, more durable protective seed coating

• Superior flowability for faster, hassle-free planting

• The ultimate in convenience, flexibility and confidence

• XLR8 insecticide available on request.

2016 LUCERNE TECHNICAL ADVISOR | 2

LUCERNE

PREMIUM HAY FOR THE RACEHORSE INDUSTRY FROM Q31

Q31 lucerne, from the “Hardham” property at Katunga, in northern Victoria, is being used to make premium hay which is then sold to some of the most notable horse racing stables around the country.

The lucerne is grown by Bruce McCracken and Bill Gread and an area of 90 acres, under a pivot, was

originally sown on April 1, 2015.“It’s all Q31 on this block because it

is the newest, latest variety out,” Mr McCracken said. “And I don’t want any growth in the winter.”

Q31 is a winter dormant variety which is specifically targeted as a hay option for premium markets.

Mr McCracken said the hay quality from Q31 had been exceptional and feedback from their client base had been very positive.

“The bottom line is they want thin

stalks with hay that is green and leafy. The buzz word nowadays is soft hay and that’s what we are getting.”

He said it was important to know your customer.

“It’s about going into a market and knowing what they want and ensuring you can deliver that.”

The first cut occurred on October 20 and hay has been harvested on a shorter roation of 21 to 28 days to maximise quality across the summer.

“We are regularly getting three tonnes per hectare from each cut,” Mr McCracken said. “Every cut, even the first one, has been yielding well. It’s like it’s been in there for two or three years.”

At one stage, in the new year, rain intervened and the cut was delayed with the leaf holding on surprising well in spite of it being a long way past its optimum harvest period.

Mr McCracken said they were aiming at achieving five to six cuts

from the lucerne across the summer period and would also provide green chop options to a neighbouring dairy as the stand went into winter.

He said the minimum stand life he would expect from the Q31 lucerne was five years, although with good agronomic management and pivot irrigation, that number could increase.

Paddock preparation and weed control have been critical in achieving the good stand with the area originally deep ripped twice on an angle and the seed then broadcast at a rate of 22 to 25 kilograms per hectare.

The strip had not been utilised for many years prior to planting so a number of herbicides were used prior to and after establishment to ensure a clean crop.

IMAGE: Bill Gread and Bruce McCracken, of Katunga, VIC, use Q31 to produce premium hay for the race horse industry.

Q31 LUCERNE AN IDEAL FIT AT MUNDUBBERA

Q31 lucerne has proved the ideal lucerne in terms of quality and dormancy for cattle producer, Link Davies, of Mundubbera in the Wide Bay – Burnett region of Queensland.

Traditionally highly winter active lucerne varieties are grown in the area but Mr Davies decided to switch to the winter dormant Q31 variety after its performance in a trial plot on the property.

“Q31 established really well. In the trial plot it was the first one out of the ground.”

A commercial area of the variety was sown in late autumn in 2014 and has produced well across the two seasons in spite of some difficult conditions.

The summer of 2015/16 was quite challenging, with rainfall events occurring at times when the crop was ready to be cut causing it to be delayed.

“We generally cut around that 25 day mark and find we get 50 to 60 bales per acre of top quality hay,” Mr Davies said.

Due to the rainfall events of last summer, the window between cuts was extended.

In spite of this the Q31 lucerne managed to hang onto a fair percentage of leaf and survived the adverse conditions well through to cutting and baling. In these conditions the yield can go out to 100 bales per acre.

The majority of lucerne on the property is cut as small square bales and used on-farm or sold to a produce store.

Mr Davies said in certain conditions, such as the start of the season or when the lucerne extends past its ideal cutting date, or when rain is coming, he would also harvest the crop as round bale silage.

“We use a lot of silage on the weaner cattle,” he said. “They really like it. The weaners can be out in the paddock and I’ll put bales up in the

yard and turn around and here are all the weaners at the gate.”

The main advantage of the Q31 dormancy is its ability to shut down across the cooler months where hay is traditionally hard to bale and often does not produce good quality.

“Q31 is the only lucerne I want to grow,” Mr Davies said. “I don’t want it to grow through the winter.”

“At the moment we can get seven cuts across the season and average 65 small square bales per acre across each cut. We can then turn it off and walk away.”

Q31 will be planted on the property again this season and is grown under a pivot irrigator.

Mr Davies said they had spent a lot of time getting the nutrition right on their lucerne country and now had a good balance of applied fertilisers and soil condition to make the most of Q31.

IMAGE: Link Davies, of Mundubbera, QLD, in Q31 lucerne which produces quality hay across the summer period.

Q31 – WINTER DORMANT

Q31 – WINTER DORMANT

It demonstrates greater persistence than winter active varieties, when persistence is more important than winter growth. Q31 is ideally suited to irrigation and dryland pastures in cold climate areas.

The superior leaf retention trait leads to improved quality lucerne to be sold into premium markets. Q31 was bred for specialist irrigated haymaking, silage or chaff where premium quality is required and where hay cannot be made in winter.

• Q31 has quickly been adopted as the leading hay and chaffing variety for premium markets

• Q31 has a superior leaf retention trait and the highest nutritive value in retained leaf in feed and hay, combined with high yields and excellent quality for hay, chaff, silage and grazing

• It demonstrates greater persistence than winter active varieties, when persistence is more important than winter growth

• Q31 was bred for specialist irrigated haymaking, silage or chaff where premium quality is required and where hay cannot be made in winter

• Ideally suited to leaders in forage quality• Comes standard with Goldstrike® XLR8 Longlife treatment

– (Poncho® Plus insecticide)• Better option than 54Q53, WL342HQ-MF, Cimmaron, Prime

X =

E =

Winter dormant (Medicago sativa) EX

Winter Activity 3

Min Rainfall (mm) 450

SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8

High Rainfall/Irrigation 10 - 20

Q31 LUCERNE

Q31 is the leading hay and chaffing variety for premium markets. Q31 has a superior leaf retention trait and the highest nutritive value in retained leaf in feed and hay, combined with high yields and excellent quality for hay, chaff, silage and grazing.


LUCERNE

down to 20 or 30 bales per acre in the winter,” he said.

The time between cutting and baling is three to four days in the warmer months and about a week as the temperatures drop.

Over many seasons L56 has demonstrated an excellent ability to adapt to the varied weather conditions and held on well under some extreme heat in February of 2016.

Mr Wood said L56 showed excellent pest and disease resistance and they hadn’t had any trouble with the lucerne in that regard.

The lucerne is often situated in a number of paddocks across the farm and mowed at different times to reduce work load and risk.

IMAGE: Peter Wood, of Laidley, QLD, in L56 lucerne which has consistently produced high quality hay across many seasons.

L56 SHINING IN LUCERNE COMPARISON ON GIPPSLAND PROPERTY

The L56 lucerne variety has shown excellent growth, as well as pest and disease resistance, in a comparison with other cultivars on the property of Matt Bechaz, at Maffra in the Gippsland region of Victoria.

“We put in three different varieties and visually, L56 is outperforming the other two,” Mr Bechaz said. “I think it is because of its pest and disease resistance. L56 didn’t have the pests that the other two had.”

L56 was part of a trial plot with each area grown across one hectare. The remainder of the paddock was also grown to lucerne with eight hectares in total.

Mr Bechaz said he had always wanted to grow lucerne as an option for his dairy cows and was able to sow the crop three years ago in a well-drained area on a property they had just purchased.

He said initially it was grown under a lateral with very little irrigation but in recent years it was replaced by a pivot which has allowed for full production across summer.

The lucerne is cut predominantly for silage and then utilised in the dairy at different times of the year.

“We mainly make silage for the simple reason that we can get it off

quickly and get the water back onto it,” Mr Bechaz said. “We can make it in four days in the spring and drop it down to three in summer.”

The first lucerne cut of the season occurred in late September and continued every four weeks across the summer.

Six cuts of quality silage are expected across the season with the last harvest in the autumn.

“You can certainly utilise a small area of land very productively,” Mr Bechaz said.

Across the winter months autumn-reared calves graze the area before the lucerne is cleaned of weeds with an application of herbicide in August.

Mr Bechaz said the lucerne silage was an excellent option in the dairy and is used as part of the ration in times where grazing options or other silage was limited or unavailable.

“It is the first place I go to increase the feed,” he said.

At the start of 2015, the lucerne silage was in such high demand that it was being utilised in the dairy straight from the paddock.

This season the feed situation was improved so the lucerne silage was able to be saved for the late autumn and winter period.

IMAGE: L56 has performed well on the property of Matt Bechaz, at Maffra, Vic where it is utilised for silage production and fed to dairy cows.

“THE HORSE PEOPLE LOVE IT,” MR WOOD SAID. “IT

HAS NICE FINE LEAFY HAY. THAT TENDS TO BE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.”

L56 – SEMI WINTER DORMANT

L56 – SEMI WINTER DORMANTQUALITY HAY FROM L56 AT LAIDLEY

The high quality of hay produced over a range of seasons and conditions has made L56 the lucerne of choice for Peter Wood at Laidley, in the Lockyer Valley of south-east Queensland.

Mr Wood said he had grown L56 for the past 10 years and has been pleased with the quality of hay over the many seasons.

“Hay quality is one of the main reasons we grow it,” he said. “It doesn’t seem to get stalky and it tends to hang onto its bottom leaf. We’ve found it as good as any and we’ve stuck with it. There’s no reason to change.”

Lucerne is harvested into small square bales and sold to the horse industry.

Generally lucerne is sown at just over 30 kilograms per hectare in the winter time and they are able to take their first cut off in spring.

The establishment phase is vitally important to ensure maximum production in the years to follow and care is taken to prepare the seed bed and ensure adequate irrigation.

L56 provides three years of excellent production before the area is rotated through to barley or forage sorghum for a number of seasons and then put back into lucerne.

Mr Wood said he could get up to nine cuts of hay throughout the year and the winter activity of L56 allowed them to produce forage in the cooler months.

He said they would cut hay every four weeks in the summer and every six weeks in the winter time.

“In the summer we can get 50 to 60 bales per acre and then it drops

Very high resistance to the major disease Phytophthora Root Rot makes it the ideal option across soil types that are heavier or less than well-drained. Recommended where MPR problems are known to occur.

L56 is an excellent dual-purpose variety for high quality hay, chaff and grazing. It is ideally suited for prime lamb enterprises especially where persistence and forage quality are important. L56 has faster recovery after cutting or grazing than other semi-dormant varieties and similar year-round yields to most winter-active varieties. It has excellent seedling vigour in pasture mixes and under sowing crops. The performance of L56 is proven in all areas and on a wide range of soil types, including heavier less than well drained soils.

• The master dual purpose graze/hay lucerne in Australia• Very high yields and exceptional forage quality• Exceptional seedling vigour and new industry benchmark for persistence• Flexible management option• Highest levels of multiple pest and disease resistance of any

lucerne variety in Australia, Phytophthora Root Rot rating, HR+• Semi-winter dormant (winter activity - 5) • Ideal on a wide range of soil types • Very good grazing tolerance• Comes standard with Goldstrike® XLR8 Longlife treatment

– (Poncho® Plus insecticide)• Better option than Venus, Kaituna, Hunterfield, Sardi 5

X =

E =

Semi winter dormant (Medicago sativa) EX

Winter Activity 5


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


L56 LUCERNE

L56 is a high yielding variety with excellent forage quality and greater persistence on all soil types. It offers greater management flexibility than winter active varieties and excellent seedling vigour for quick establishment.


LUCERNE

QUICK REGROWTH A FEATURE OF GTL®60 AT GULARGAMBONE

GTL®60 showed excellent regrowth after grazing on the property of Henry Taylor, at Gulargambone in the central west plains of New South Wales.

Mr Taylor said he trialled GTL®60 alongside L70 and both varieties established well after being planted in April last year.

“We had quite handy October and November rain and coming into summer we had a fair bit of feed,” he said. “There were 800 Merino wethers in the 90 hectare paddock for around three months and after we took them out we had January rain.”

He said it was after this rain that the GTL®60 demonstrated its excellent regrowth and took advantage of the available moisture leading into the dry February period.

January rain consisted of three

to four inches with the GTL®60, in particular, growing strongly and providing good additional feed options.

Lucerne is an essential part of the feed program on the property and there are generally two paddocks planted down to the crop at any one time.

Mr Taylor said their lambs were usually born in May and June and the stock grazed on oats and vetch in the winter and spring. He said the lambs were weaned onto the lucerne in the lead-up to summer and grazed the pastures through summer and autumn.

When there is good feed available

the tendency is to place as many lambs as possible in the lucerne areas, although this also depends on other factors.

“We do try to manage it depending on the grazing cycle or lambs’ life cycle,” Mr Taylor said.

The lucerne is sown at a rate of 3 kilograms per hectare as a pure stand and has established well over many years.

“We sow it by itself using zero-till and get good results at those lower seeding rates,” Mr Taylor said.

“I am looking at getting four to five years out of the lucerne and then we will go back into wheat.”

He said by using lucerne as a break option in the cropping rotation it helps control diseases such as crown rot and also provides a nitrogen boost to the wheat phase.

IMAGE: Henry Taylor and son, George, of Gulargambone, NSW, inspecting the rapid regrowth of GTL®60 lucerne.

PRODUCTION INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY WITH GTL®60

The planting of GTL®60 lucerne into wet areas has provided increased productivity options on the property of Vince and Belinda Bone, south-east of Kimba, in the upper Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.

Mr Bone said underground water in the paddock would often cause tractors or headers to bog and so he turned to lucerne last year to address this problem.

Approximately 10 hectares of lucerne was sown in the trouble spot as part of a 100 hectare paddock. It was planted in April and germinated with rainfall some months later.

Other sections of the paddock grew cereal rye and wheat across the same period and the entire area was able to be grazed by 260 sheep

following the winter crop harvest.Mr Bone said the GTL®60 did

particularly well with the roots accessing the high water table and providing a bulk of feed through the summer.

The paddock received an inch of rainfall early in the New Year and the GTL®60 showed excellent speed and regrowth following the downfall.

“Twelve days after the inch of rain we had four inches of regrowth,” Mr Bone said. “It was very impressive.”

He said the merino sheep took to it well and weren’t happy as he tried to remove them from the paddock at one stage during February.

“Every five yards or so they stopped and looked at me. They were that fat and didn’t want to walk out.”

This year the plan is to sow veldt grass in one section of the paddock and forage barley in the other and turn the whole area into a productive grazing block.

“I think we can take the stocking rate from 250 sheep to more than 500,” Mr Bone said.

This would take the paddock from one of the poorest performers to a highly productive area.

It will also alleviate the issue of heavy machinery tracking across the area and getting bogged in the wet sections of the paddock.

The deep tap root of GTL®60 is able to access the underground water and provide an excellent feed

option going forward.GTL®60 lucerne was planted into

a heavy soil type of varying pH and there are plans to use the variety in some of the other soils.

It was the first time lucerne had been grown on the property and is likely to be the most northern crop of lucerne on the Eyre Peninsula.

IMAGE: The impressive growth of GTL®60 lucerne on the Bone property, at Kimba, SA.

GTL®60 – WINTER ACTIVE

GTL®60 – WINTER ACTIVE

The parent germplasm was tested under an arduous series of strict grazing protocols over a number of years. This enabled tolerant parent plants to prove their integrity and expression of true grazing tolerant characteristics, to meet the criteria of the grazing tolerant lucerne GTL®60 trial protocol. The final stage of testing was a 3 year grazing trial where it was grazed on a 3 week set rotation. This continuous stress load put immense pressure on all the candidate lines and was very quick to expose lines with minimal tolerance. The 3 year time frame was set up to simulate traditional Australian practises where the expectation on plant survivability was more than 3 years and beyond. Bred in Australia, GTL®60 is ideal for extensive graze farming where rotations cannot be as rigorously implemented as in more intensive rotation systems. GTL®60 is the first grazing tolerant lucerne to be released from the Pasture Genetics program, having originated from such a strict and lengthy selection and trialling criteria system to specifically prove grazing tolerance in lucerne.

• Selected for a broad and low set crown, high forage values, high ruminant palatability with high disease and pest resistance ratings

• Tested under an arduous series of strict grazing protocols over a number of years• Ideally suited as a dual-purpose variety for grazing & hay operations• Quick recovery after defoliation gives the ability to store plant energy

into the crown• Retain leaf through the drying and baling process• Good adaptability to a wide range of soil types• GTL®60 has demonstrated excellent grazing tolerance with

74% residual plants measured after 3 year grazing trial• Comes standard with Goldstrike® XLR8 Longlife treatment

– (Poncho® Plus insecticide)• Better option than Stamina GT6

X =

E =

Winter active (Medicago sativa) EX

Winter Activity 6


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


GTL®60 LUCERNE

The new grazing tolerant lucerne GTL®60 was selected and bred by Pasture Genetics Pty Ltd. Parent germplasm was selected for a broad and low set crown, high forage values, high ruminant palatability with high disease and pest resistance ratings.

A 190 HECTARE AREA OF L91 WAS SOWN THE

PREVIOUS SEASON AND FED CROSS-BRED LAMBS ACROSS

THE SUMMER PERIOD.


LUCERNE


GRAZING TOLERANT TRIAL – STAMINA GT6

GR AZING TOLER ANT LUCERNE SELECTIONS TRIAL – Pasture Genetics has taken the term “Grazing tolerant”, very seriously with its selection of new lucerne material. The ability to select plant germplasm through a 3 year intensive grazing trial, has proven critical to give farmers confidence in new lines coming through the Pasture Genetics Research program. The strength of this trialling model will be replicated in the future with more selections being made with this key grazing tolerance trait.

GRAZING TOLERANT TRIAL – GTL®60

PENFIELD RESEARCH STATIONSOWN 14/9/2011 GRAZING FROM THE 24/11/2011 TO 1/8/2014

The trial protocol was established in conjunction with NSW DPI and IP Australia to give a measure of true grazing tolerance. After lucerne was established, it was grazed every 3 weeks to a residual height of about 30mm. Approximately 20 Merino wethers were used to graze the trial each time, this was the number of animals adequate to graze the trial down within at least a 3-4 day period so we could manage frequent grazing but not extended periods of time of animals being set on the trial. There were sometimes longer periods of time between grazings depending on grazing recovery time in the colder months. The idea being that the trial was frequently grazed and put under grazing pressure regularly, but not set stocked. This resulted in the trial being grazed 32 times over the trial duration.

The trial will now be managed to continue to collect long term data, with sheep being used in a more set stocking routine with low stocking rates to see what sort of results will come of this type of management and if the information we have collected on varieties so far remains consistent. Plant counts were taken initially, during and after the trial. All varieties were sown at 4kg/Ha with adjusted seeding rate based on germination percentage, there were 3 replications of each variety. This resulted in an average starting plant count of 37 plants/m2. The ideal result was to end up with somewhere between 30-40 plants per square metre, as this trial was run under dry land conditions in an approximately 420mm rainfall zone.

The plots were irrigated at some stages throughout the trial but only to prevent plants actually dying due to moisture stress. There were significant differences between the residual plant numbers of many varieties as seen in the graph.

60

90

50

80

40

70

30

20

GT

L®6

0

Gen

esis

L71

L56

Seq

uel

Fo

rce

5

L92

Sta

min

a G

T6

Peg

asis

Q75

SA

RD

I 7

SA

RD

I 10

Fo

rce

7

ML9

9

Aur

ora

7472

57

50

65

5250

65

52

4542

59

52

43 42

PENFIELD RESEARCH STATION % RESIDUAL PLANTS AFTER 3 YEARS

Lucerne stands are grazed to restrict flowering over a three year period to increase pressure on plants. Av.5% LSD 22.1

LUCERNE

FANTASTIC PRODUCTION IN FIRST YEAR OF L70 LUCERNE

L70 lucerne was used for silage and grazing and produced well in its first year on the property of Paul McCulloch, at Nundle, south of Tamworth in the New England region of New South Wales.

Lucerne was used as the main grazing option through the spring, summer and autumn periods and in August last year two paddocks were sown down to L70.

It was the first time L70 had been grown on the property and the variety impressed with its strong establishment and early growth.

Mr McCulloch said the lucerne received 35mm of rain a week after planting and, with the ground soaked, did an excellent job.

He said the forage was first utilised in early summer with both paddocks cut and made into four foot bales of silage.

“It made good silage and the

cut also helped the lucerne really get away.”

Lucerne on the property is made into either silage or hay if there is excess production but is predominantly used as a grazing option for merino sheep and lambs.

The Merino ewes will normally lamb in July and August and initially feed on oats during the winter period before being turned onto the lucerne in the spring.

“I rotate the lambs around four or five paddocks and rely on lucerne to get us through the summer,” Mr McCulloch said. “Rain through January made the lucerne sit up nicely. Lucerne is the king of our summer feed here. There is nothing better for fattening lambs.”

The ewes and lambs are sheared in April and then the males and culled females are sent to market in July.

“It is a self-replacing flock with one main lambing and one main shearing,” Mr McCulloch said. “They are given a full 12 months for weight gain before we sell them.”

At least one paddock of lucerne is

replaced each year with three to four years of production expected from a freshly planted stand.

Last season one of the paddocks had been fallowed through from a Cowpea crop and, in the other, lucerne was sown into an area that had grown lucerne previously.

A planting rate of seven to eight kilograms per hectare was used with a band seeder helping provide an even germination across the area.

Each paddock on the property is approximately eight to nine hectares and is crash grazed by the flock of ewes and lambs before they are rotated to the next area.

IMAGE: Paul McCulloch, of Nundle, NSW, in L70 lucerne which established well and was used for sheep feed and silage production.

G =E =

L70 – WINTER ACTIVE

L70 HAY FOR QUALITY CHAFF AT KALBAR

The hay made from L70 lucerne has proven to be ideal for chaff making on the Moore property, at Kalbar, in the Fassifern Valley of southern Queensland.

Scott Moore said they moved across to L70 lucerne four years ago and have been very impressed with the variety over that time.

“It has been a good all-rounder with decent yields and good quality.”

He said they had initially wanted to try something different and needed lucerne with nice fine stems and good leaf to use in their chaffing operation.

“You can tell a lot about a lucerne variety when you chaff it,” he said. “With the chaff we like a bit of nice, fine lucerne.”

A bag of chaff is generally made from one and a half lucerne bales and is delivered to produce stores and sold to horse customers.

Mr Moore said they also sold a lot of small square bales to horse people around the region and had very good feedback on the product made from L70.

Lucerne on the property is normally sown in late autumn and is ready to cut from September through to the autumn of the following year.

The majority of production comes in the first three months of the season with the hay cut every four weeks.

L91 lucerne was also planted on the property last season and has impressed in its first full year of production.

“I think it is going to be similar to L70 but it does have a bit more growth

during the winter,” Mr Moore said. The winter growth will be a good

option this season with Moby forage barley planned to be direct drilled straight into the lucerne stand.

As a quicker forage option, the plan is to harvest the Moby and lucerne for hay in late August or early September.

This provides an option for a barley / lucerne blended hay bale which is in demand by customers at that time of year and also provides a handy cash flow.

“It would be good to have hay coming in at the start of spring,” Mr Moore said.

The property also has established a long-term lucerne trial comparing varieties of different dormancies for persistence and hay quality.

Mr Moore said it was an interesting exercise to look at the more dormant varieties with their

lower crown, in comparison to the winter active ones utilised in the commercial crop.

IMAGE: Scott Moore, at Kalbar, QLD, has had good success with L70 lucerne for hay and chaff.


IN THE PAST LUCERNE HAS BEEN UNDERSOWN TO A

CEREAL CROP, HOWEVER LAST SEASON IT WAS PLANTED

ON ITS OWN AND PRODUCED A VERY GOOD RESULT.

With significant Australian production of L70 now coming on stream this allows us to position this exciting new Aurora replacement with Australian farmers.

The ability of L70 to achieve consistent seed yield returns for contracted seed producers, now allows us to position the new L70 lucerne at a very competitive price in comparison to Aurora. L70 exhibits excellent forage traits and good disease profile consistent with all of the Pasture Genetics premium range lucerne. • L70 offers higher disease and pest package compared to Aurora• Superior forage genetics - higher leaf to stem ratio• Minimum 90% germination standards exceeds current minimum certified

standard for Aurora - 60%• L70 seed production is derived from dryland seed production stands only. This is

to ensure the dryland integrity and performance of L70, when utilised in standard cereal undersowing practices and marginal dryland grazing enterprises

• These attributes, combined with superior plant genetics, makes L70 an excellent new lucerne option over Aurora. This gives Australian farmers higher returns and extra confidence with the Establishment Guarantee® program that commons based lucerne cannot offer or compete against

• Better option than Aurora

Winter active (Medicago sativa) EG

Winter Activity 7


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


L70 LUCERNE

L70 is available to the Australian domestic market having been a successful export replacement for Aurora.


LUCERNE

L70 AN UNDERSOWN OPTION ON CENTRAL WEST PROPERTY

L70 lucerne is being used as an undersown option each season on the property of Jeff Foran, at Curban, north of Gilgandra in the central west region of New South Wales.

Mr Foran said lucerne had been undersown to wheat for many seasons on the property and formed an excellent pasture option for their sheep and lamb operation.

It also provided nitrogen benefits for the wheat crops which typically followed the lucerne phase of the paddock rotation.

Wheat is sown at between 35 and 45 kilograms per hectare and the L70 Goldstrike® treated seed dropped just before a press wheel, at a rate of approximately 4 kilograms per hectare.

Planting time is normally early May and the lucerne grows through the wheat during the season and is

then utilised after the cereal crop has been harvested.

Mr Foran said they had experienced some excellent results from lucerne in the past and on one occasion the legume resembled a green carpet as the heads of the wheat were being harvested.

He said ewes were put into the paddock immediately after harvest to clean up any wheat grain and also give the established lucerne a prune.

“They knock it back and then we wait until the next good rain.”

Sheep and lambs are then able to graze the lucerne at different times throughout the year, with the majority of the paddock lasting at least three years and some providing feed for much longer.

A key is to choose a paddock that is relatively clean and also have good summer weed control for added moisture at sowing.

Wheat and lucerne are the rotational options used on the property with the lucerne normally

undersown on the third year of wheat in preparation for the pasture phase.

Mr Foran said he had found lucerne was an excellent option for his paddocks and the cereal crops that followed.

“We’ve grown some fantastic lucerne. If you get the lucerne right it will give you a lot for your country. You are still getting a nitrogen benefit. I think it’s great.”

The last two seasons have been challenging for the lucerne with 2014 being very dry and 2015 inundated with rain in the months that followed sowing.

On both occasions Mr Foran was able to access the Pasture Genetics Establishment Guarantee® program that provides replacement seed at half price if the crop doesn’t establish satisfactorily.

During the severe dry and flood conditions some of the lucerne struggled to establish and was claimed under the program.

IMAGE: Jeff Foran, of Curban, NSW, uses L70 lucerne undersown to wheat as a long-term pasture option for their sheep and lamb operation.

L70 (LEFT) EXHIBITING HIGHER LEAF CARRYING TRAIT COMPARED

TO OLDER PLANT GENETICS EXHIBITED IN AURORA (RIGHT)


YIELD RESULTS & PRICING COMPARISONL70 offers very competitive pricing to Aurora lucerne and therefore similar per Ha input seed costs.

TRIAL RESULTS8% YIELD INCREASE> Over 5 years; 4 sites; 46 cuts. Irrigated sites include: Virginia SA, Struan SA, Forbes NSW and Wagga Wagga NSW.

20

15

10

5

Yie

ld (

t/H

a)

Variety

L70 18.5 t/Ha

Aurora 17.0 t/Ha

L70 AURORA

Total Yield 18.5 t/Ha 17.0 t/Ha

Data Source Pasture Genetics – 5 years, 4 Locations 46 cuts (irrigated sites)

Hay Returns/Ha @ $200T $3700/Ha $3400/Ha

Increased Forage Quality

Better Disease Profile

Higher DM Production

Increased Germination %

Establishment Guarantee®

EXTRA HAY RETURNS $300 Ha/YR

38% INCREASE IN PLANT ESTABLISHMENT /m2

GOLDSTRIKE® L70

COATED AURORA

Seeds/kg 300,000 300,000

Seeds Sown/m2 @ 4kg/Ha 120 120

Minimum Germation % 90% 65%

Variable Seeds/m2 Sown 108 78

Established Rate 50% 54 39

GERMINATION STANDARDS COMPARISON

L70 AURORA

Spotted Alfalfa Aphid HR HR

Blue Green Aphid HR HR

Phytophthora Root Rot R R

Anthracnose R MR

Bacterial Wilt R LR

Stem Nematode R R

DISEASE RATING COMPARISON

L70 OFFERS THE ESTABLISHMENT GUARANTEE® UNLIKE AURORA.


L70 V AURORA

• L70 offers higher disease and pest package compared to Aurora

• Superior forage genetics - higher leaf to stem ratio

• Minimum 90% germination standards exceeds current minimum certified standard for Aurora -60%

• L70 seed production is derived from dryland seed production stands only. This is to ensure the dryland integrity and performance of L70, when utilised in standard cereal undersowing practices and marginal dryland grazing enterprises

• These attributes, combined with superior plant genetics, makes L70 an excellent lucerne option over Aurora. This gives Australian farmers higher returns and extra confidence with the Establishment Guarantee® program that commons based lucerne cannot offer or compete against.

LUCERNE

High pest and disease resistance allows L71 to be utilised in high rainfall / irrigation situations. L71 was formed from the partnership between the NSW DPI Lucerne Breeding Program and Pasture Genetics Pty Ltd.

Selected through a rigorous breeding process from many sites across NSW. L71 out performs its predecessor Genesis by 4% on average in both dryland and irrigated conditions. L71 has been selected for its solid disease and pest resistance, which will allow it to thrive in all conditions and areas. Its development will bring a high quality, high performing lucerne with rugged characteristics for the crucial long term pasture rotation market. L71 will become a necessity on all mixed farming enterprises.

• L71 was formed from the partnership between the NSW DPI lucerne Breeding Program and Pasture Genetics

• Selected through a rigorous breeding process from many sites across NSW• Excellent grazing tolerance with 65% residual plants measured after 3 year grazing trial• L71 out performs its predecessor Genesis by 4% on average in both dryland

and irrigated conditions• Tested for all 3 races of Anthracnose• Dryland specialist targeting grazing and hay production• Excellent persistence in low rainfall dryland conditions• High forage quality and leaf retention• Comes standard with Goldstrike® XLR8 Longlife treatment

– (Poncho® Plus insecticide)• Better option than Genesis, Aurora, Sardi 7

X =

E =


Winter Activity 7


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


L71 LUCERNE

L71 will become the new 7 dormancy benchmark for dryland grazing in low - medium rainfall areas (350-550mm annual rainfall). Ideally suited to light textured red brown earth or sandy soils.

L71 V GENESIS – YIELD RESULTS & HAY RETURN COMPARISONL71 is the premium dryland specialist and compares favourably to Genesis and Aurora.

TRIAL RESULTS4% YIELD INCREASE> NSW DPI 21 sites over 3 years 2007 – 2010

7.5

7.25

7.0

6.75

Yie

ld (

t/H

a)

Variety

L71 7.31 t/Ha Genesis

7.04 t/Ha

L71 GENESIS

Total Yield 7.31 t/Ha 7.04 t/Ha

Data Source NSW DPI 21 sites over 3 years 2007 – 2010

Hay Returns/Ha @ $200T $1462/Ha $1408/Ha

EXTRA HAY RETURNS $54 HA/YR

60

90

50

80

40

70

30

20

GT

L®6

0

Gen

esis

L71

L56

Seq

uel

Fo

rce

5

L92

Sta

min

a G

T6

Peg

asis

Q75

SA

RD

I 7

SA

RD

I 10

Fo

rce

7

ML9

9

Aur

ora

7472

57

50

65

5250

65

52

4542

59

52

43 42


SELECTIONS TRIALGRAZING TOLERANT LUCERNE

The trial protocol was established in conjunction with NSW DPI and IP Australia to give a measure of true grazing tolerance. After lucerne was established, it was grazed every 3 weeks to a residual height of about 30mm. Approximately 20 Merino wethers were used to graze the trial each time, this was the number of animals adequate to graze the trial down within at least a 3-4 day period so we could manage frequent grazing but not extended periods of time of animals being set on the trial. There were sometimes longer periods of time between grazings depending on grazing recovery time in the colder months. The idea being that the trial was frequently grazed and put under grazing pressure regularly, but not set stocked. This resulted in the trial being grazed 32 times over the trial duration.

The trial will now be managed to continue to collect long term data, with sheep being used in a more set stocking routine with low stocking rates to see what sort of results will come of this type of management and if the information we have collected on varieties so far remains consistent. Plant counts were taken initially, during and after the trial. All varieties were sown at 4kg/Ha with adjusted seeding rate based on germination percentage, there were 3 replications of each variety. This resulted in an average starting plant count of 37 plants/m2. The ideal result was to end up with somewhere between 30-40 plants per square metre, as this trial was run under dry land conditions in an approximately 420mm rainfall zone.

The plots were irrigated at some stages throughout the trial but only to prevent plants actually dying due to moisture stress. There were significant differences between the residual plant numbers of many varieties as seen in the graph.

GRAZING TOLERANT TRIAL - AURORAGRAZING TOLERANT TRIAL - L71

PENFIELD RESEARCH STATION % RESIDUAL PLANTS AFTER 3 YEARSLucerne stands are grazed to restrict flowering over a three year period to increase pressure on plants.

Av.5% LSD 22.1

LUCERNE

L71 Aurora SARDI 7 SII


FEED TESTSL71 AURORA SARDI 7 SII

% Dry Matter 17.20 16.40 14.70

ME (MJ/kg) 11.50 11.70 11.70

% Crude Protein 30.20 31.40 32.00

% ADF 24.9 26.5 25.7

%NDF 30.5 31.8 30.7

RFV 212 199.7 208.7

Average results from feed test info taken prior to grazing throughout the trial (3 tests)

1ST ROTATION – 06.10.14 to 02.11.142ND ROTATION – 02.11.14 to 30.11.143RD ROTATION – 01.12.14 to 28.12.14

PENFIELD RESEARCH STATIONLIVEWEIGHT GAIN TRIAL 2014

• An irrigated 6Ha paddock was divided into 12 half Ha sections. On the 23rd of May, 4 of these sections were each sown with L71 lucerne, Aurora lucerne, and SARDI 7 Series II lucerne.

• Sowing rate was 15 kg/Ha.• 24 Hereford steers were split into 3

grazing groups of 8 steers, with an average starting weight of 299kg.

• The 3 groups simultaneously grazed each of the varieties throughout the duration of the trial.

• The trial ran for 12 weeks, in which each variety at least would be grazed for a 4 week duration by each group of cattle.

• No other sources of feed or supplements were given to the animals.

DISCUSSIONThroughout the duration of the

trial, all varieties were exposed to the same environmental conditions and assessed equally by being grazed simultaneously by the 3 grazing groups; one group on each variety at any time. Also with each cattle group grazing each different variety for a 4 week rotation, this allowed us to exclude the differences in the grazing performance of the different cattle groups from being a variable factor. The trial focused on the true

variable being the variety of lucerne that was being grazed. During the trial measurements on dry matter production of the varieties were also taken, as well as samples taken for feed quality analysis. All varieties established well, and the cattle performance in the first 4 week rotation was good all round. Prior to the trial commencing there was a very dry early spring period, without much natural rainfall. The trial was irrigated, but there was still a lack of soil moisture deep in the soil profile and this caused some periods of moisture stress between watering.

This resulted in particularly the 2nd rotation showing a drop off in dry matter production from all varieties, but also daily weight gain in the Aurora and SARDI 7 Series II. However, dry matter production and weight gain began to increase again in the 3rd rotation across all varieties.

The results indicate that the L71 was able to maintain quality and resulted in higher levels of intake during these times. The feed analysis shows lower % ADF and % NDF values and this could likely account for the higher levels of kg/Day weight gain achieved by the L71 throughout the trial. The results are consistent with the key features of L71 lucerne; which is a highly persistent and high quality variety, able to perform in both irrigated and dryland conditions that are less than ideal.

L71 weight gain

increase over Aurora by 15%

1.30

1.25

1.20

1.40

1.45

1.15

1.35

1.10Tota

l ave

rag

e kg

/Day

wei

ght

gai

n

SARDI 7 SIIAuroraL71

115% 1.41

kg/day100% 1.23

kg/day

102% 1.25

kg/day

5.012t

4.872t

4.592t

Total DM t/Ha produced

KG/DAY WEIGHT GAIN AVERAGE

DM T/HA PRODUCED TOTAL

L71 1.41 5.012

Aurora 1.23 4.592

SARDI 7 SII 1.25 4.872

TOTAL AVERAGE KG/DAY WEIGHT GAIN

1ST, 2ND & 3RD ROTATION

LUCERNE AVERAGE KG DM/HA/DAYAVERAGE KG DM/HA/DAY

1ST ROTATION

2ND ROTATION

3RD ROTATION

L71 62 57 60

Aurora 57 52 55

SARDI 7 SII 60 57 57

3rd Rotation2nd Rotation1st Rotation

65

60

55

50

Ave

rag

e kg

DM

/Ha/

Day

HIGHER RFV (RELATIVE FEED VALUE) EQUALS HIGHER WEIGHT GAIN

LUCERNE GR AZING TRIAL – Throughout the duration of the trial, all varieties were exposed to the same environmental conditions and assessed equally by being grazed simultaneously by the 3 grazing groups; one group on each variety at any time. Also with each cattle group grazing each different variety for a 4 week rotation, this allowed us to exclude the differences in the grazing performance of the different cattle groups from being a variable factor.

AVERAGE KG/DAY WEIGHT GAIN

1ST ROTATION

2ND ROTATION

3RD ROTATION

L71 1.27 1.26 1.71

Aurora 1.20 0.97 1.53

SARDI 7 SII 1.26 1.07 1.41

AVERAGE KG/DAY WEIGHT GAIN

0.5

1.5

kg/d

ay w

eig

ht g

ain

3rd Rotation2nd Rotation1st Rotation

2.0

1.0

LUCERNE

Q75 FOR HIGH QUALITY HAY AND GRAZING AT WAGGA WAGGA

Q75 lucerne is being utilised to produce high quality hay and grazing through winter on the property of Ryan Jeffree, at Wagga Wagga, in southern New South Wales.

Mr Jeffree has two 30 hectare irrigation pivots which were sown down to Q75 lucerne in April of 2013 and is predominantly being used to produce high quality hay.

He said they harvest small square and round bale hay from the areas across the summer and sell it to local customers as well as produce stores as far afield as Sydney.

“To supply produce stores is impressive as far as the hay goes,” he said. “It is very leafy and is holding up well.”

Q75 is normally cut every 28 to 32 days and will have its final hay harvest in late March or, if weather conditions are favourable, in early April.

Mr Jeffree said after the hay harvest they would normally give the lucerne a spell for an eight week period to allow it to regenerate and then shut down.

The winter activity of Q75 does allow some growth in the cooler months and that is taken advantage of with mobs of ewes or lambs allowed to graze the area from

June onwards.“We like to steadily graze it,” Mr

Jeffree said. “I don’t like to knock it around too much.”

The stock take to the lucerne well and also have cereal hay available in the paddocks to supplement their diets.

A grazing option at that time of year was very favourable and provided a good lead in to the winter weed herbicide program which occurred just prior to spring.

The herbicide is applied in August and the stock reintroduced to the paddock to clean it up after the withholding period has passed.

Hay cuts will depend on the conditions during the year and the grazing opportunities and will vary from September through to November.

Mr Jeffree said they had three excellent seasons of growth from the Q75 areas and expected them to persist for some time.

“This is its third season and it hasn’t dropped off at all. It looks the same as that first year.”

He said Q75 held on particularly well when the weather was a bit unsettled and they had to wait a few days to cut for hay.

“We keep the water up to it and it hangs in really well.”

IMAGE: Ryan Jeffree, of Wagga Wagga, NSW, uses Q75 lucerne for high quality hay across summer and as a grazing option in the winter.

Q75 has set a new benchmark in forage quality for the Australian lucerne industry with the highest forage quality, Relative Feed Value (RFV) and protein in the winter active group.

Excellent seedling vigour for quick establishment and high resistance to multiple pests and diseases for maximum stand persistence.

• Ideal lucerne for dairy, beef and sheep producers looking for high yields and top quality forage

• Q trait reflecting high quality forage• Highest forage quality in the winter-active group• Dual purpose hay and grazing option• High resistance to Multiple Pests and Diseases (MPR)• Better persistence than most winter active varieties• Winter active (winter activity - 7) • Ideal on a wide range of soil types • Excellent leaf holding capacity in the bale• Comes standard with Goldstrike® XLR8 Longlife treatment

– (Poncho® Plus insecticide)• Better option than Aurora, Genesis, Sardi 7, WL525HQ


Winter Activity 7


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


Q75 LUCERNE

The “Q” in Q75 signifies the variety has demonstrated superior quality characteristics in laboratory tests and animal feeding trials.

HIGH QUALITY HORSE HAY FROM PASTURE GENETICS LUCERNE

Areas of L56 and Q75 lucerne are being utilised to produce high quality hay for the racehorse industry on the Woods property near Maitland in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales.

Tom Woods said they initially grew L56 lucerne after acquiring the property and then moved to Q75 lucerne in the years that followed.

“L56 is quite a good all-rounder,” he said. “It is hardy in terms of disease and pest resistance and can take a lot of rainfall without losing population, particularly in the seedling lucerne stage. L56 also has unbelievable yields.”

Q75 was planted in the March of 2015 and another area planted in August and has also performed particularly well.

It was sown at a rate of 35 kilograms per hectare and produced a population of nearly 200 plants per square metre.

Mr Woods said they sowed their lucerne at quite a high rate and it would naturally thin out so that only the strongest plants survived.

“It was an unbelievable stand.”He said both varieties were in the

early stages of establishment when the super storm of April 2015 hit the

area and they handled the extreme conditions surprisingly well.

The area also received 450mm of rainfall in January of 2016 and the lucerne again coped well.

Local, high-end hay markets have been targeted with the produce from the Q75 lucerne stand and it has consistently delivered across the summer.

“Q75 is quite a soft hay, even the stem itself,” Mr Woods said. “It is a trait I like and a trait my customers like. It is quite noticeable in the bale. Q75 produces leaf right down to the ground. It has similar yields to L56 and, in terms of pest and disease resistance, it is almost as good as L56.”

Mr Woods said he would expect a five year lifespan from both L56 and Q75 although the adverse weather conditions over the past twelve months will likely take its toll.

He said they could expect six to seven good sized cuts of hay across the summer, with the area harvested every 25 to 28 days, if conditions are favourable.

Yields of 50 to 60 small square bales per acre are common throughout the period and there is a real emphasis on the property to ensure all is done to maximise yield and quality from the lucerne.

This included herbicide programs in the seedling and established phases to knock out grass and broadleaf weeds as well as proper paddock preparation, irrigation and nutrition.

IMAGE (LHS): Tom Woods, of Maitland, NSW, in Q75 lucerne which is used to produce premium hay for clients with race horses.

Q75 – WINTER ACTIVE

Q75 – WINTER ACTIVE

X =

E =

HAY PRODUCED ON THE PROPERTY IS SOLD AS A PREMIUM PRODUCT

TO LOCAL RACE HORSE BUSINESSES WHO INSIST ON FINE STEMS AND THE

MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF LEAF.


LUCERNE

L91 has shown superior leaf retention and finer stems, than other winter active varieties. Strong growth into late autumn and winter maximises year round production and fills feed gaps. L91 has high resistance to all Alfalfa aphids, high resistance to Colletotrichum Crown Rot and Fusarium Wilt combined with high resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot. This results in better persistence, fast recovery after grazing or cutting. L91 exhibits exceptional field appearance that is found lacking in many other winter active varieties. Genetically different, genetically better, L91 sets a new standard for highly winter active lucerne in Australia.

• Extended grazing & hay in autumn & winter• Best in cropping rotations & dairy pastures• Preferred variety for winter sowings• Outstanding seedling vigour for easier establishment• Suitable for all areas, with exceptional productivity on red brown

earth and other light soils - tolerant of saline conditions• L91 has high resistance to all Alfalfa aphids, high resistance to

Colletotrichum Crown Rot and Fusarium Wilt combined with high resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot

• Price competitive option to Sequel lucerne• Better option than Cropper 9.5, Sardi 10, Siriver, Sequel, L90

Highly winter active (Medicago sativa) EG

Winter Activity 9


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


L91 LUCERNE

L91 the “Easy Grow” winter active lucerne, bred by Pasture Genetics L91 replaces L90, as the leading winter active variety for dryland grazing of cattle and sheep in low to medium rainfall areas.

L91 USED AS PART OF POPPY CROP ROTATION

L91 lucerne is proving to be an excellent rotational option with poppies, for Sam Burrill on a property at Tunbridge, in the midlands of Tasmania.

For some time lucerne has been used as a three to four year break crop, and in the past two seasons L91 has been the preferred option.

Mr Burrill said L91 fitted well into the rotation and was planted to the area immediately after the poppies were harvested in late January or early February.

The area is raked and burnt and lucerne planted at the earliest opportunity.

He said L91 established quickly and was able to be grazed once or twice before the cold winter weather.

The variety germinated in as little as three to four days and continued to provide production throughout the year.

During the colder weather,

stocking numbers were reduced to base levels. The sheep began to lamb as the ground temperature warmed up leading into spring.

This coincided with the time L91 was starting to grow and become available as a feed option.

Mr Burrill said there was normally a burst of feed available when it warmed up and then any further grazing options were dependent on rainfall or irrigation.

He said if there was leftover irrigation water following the cropping season it could be used on the lucerne to assist in bringing on the fat lambs through the summer period.

“Lucerne seems like a good fit,” he said. “We get three to four years out of it and run it hard. It’s done its job and fixed some nitrogen.”

The long tap root of lucerne also provides an option to bust through the clay pan and assist the following poppy crop.

After the lucerne has been grazed across multiple years, it is sprayed out at the start of April and the soil prepared for a planting of

poppies in August.Mr Burrill said they would

generally look at two years of poppies before rotating to lucerne, although disease issues in recent seasons mean the poppies may only be sown for a single season.

He said lucerne provided an ideal option for a weed and disease break in their cropping rotation.

The L91 has been sown at a rate of 15 kilograms per hectare and looked after early to ensure good crop establishment.

Its high winter activity allowed early grazing options after establishment and quick options in the spring.

L91 is available through Pasture Genetics and is part of the company’s Establishment Guarantee® program.

Under the program replacement seed is supplied at half price is the crop fails to establish satisfactorily.

IMAGE: Sam Burrill, of Tunbridge, TAS, uses L91 lucerne in rotation with poppies

L91 – HIGHLY WINTER ACTIVE

E =

G =

PASTURE GENETICS SETS NEW BENCHMARK

1000 viable Rhizobia per seed on stored lucerne after 12 months and Medic

and Sub Clover, after 6 months


5% yield increase over sequel> NSW DPI 21 sites over 3 years 2007 – 2010

7.5

7.25

7.0

6.75

Yie

ld (

t/H

a)

Variety

L92 7.49 t/Ha Pegasis

7.26 t/Ha Sequel

7.10 t/Ha

L92 TRIAL RESULTS

• The ability for L92 to kick into hay production early in spring allows for hay producers to deliver first cut hay to their customers.

• L92 is set to become the leading winter active variety for the dual purpose hay and grazing markets

• Selected for Triple race Anthracnose resistance

• Highest forage yield in the highly winter active group

• Excellent seedling vigour to aid in quick establishment

• High resistance to Multiple Pest and Diseases (MPR)

• Increased persistence for a highly winter active lucerne

• Very quick regrowth after cutting or grazing

• Ideally suited to wide range of soil types

• Better option than Pegasis, Sequel, Sardi 10

Highly winter active (Medicago sativa) EX

Winter Activity 9


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


L92 LUCERNE

LUCERNE

ML99 Multileaf® lucerne has been developed to incorporate a new level of quality and production in winter active lucerne driven by high expression of multi-foliate leaves plus all the qualities currently required by Australian lucerne growers.

ML99 Multileaf® lucerne has been tested under intensively irrigated and dryland conditions to meet Australian lucerne growers’ expectations. ML99 Multileaf® is the best and safest lucerne variety bred by using only classic traditional plant breeding methods.

• ML99 Multileaf® lucerne has been developed to incorporate a new level of quality and production in winter active lucerne driven by high expression of multi-foliate leaves plus all the qualities currently required by Australian lucerne growers

• Growers looking for winter grazing with options to cut quality hay• Very highly winter active cultivar (winter activity - 10)• Near to 100% true to type multifoliate expression• 40% more leaflets than conventional lucerne• Superior stand life based on broad disease and nematode resistance• Frost tolerant to protect cold season production• Comes standard with Goldstrike® XLR8 Longlife treatment

– (Poncho® Plus insecticide)• Better option than SARDI 10

Very highly winter active (Medicago sativa) EX

Winter Activity 10


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


ML99 MULTILEAF® LUCERNE

DAIRY GRAZING SUCCESS WITH ML99 MULTILEAF® LUCERNE

A strip of ML99 Multileaf® lucerne has proven to be the ideal grazing option for dairy cows on the Kerrins’ property at Dhurringile, in the Goulburn Valley in Victoria.

Mick Kerrins said they originally planted a block of ML99 Multileaf® lucerne four years ago and initially used it successfully for hay and silage.

The paddock is situated just 100 metres from the dairy and, over the last two seasons, the utilisation of the area has changed from fodder production to grazing.

Mr Kerrins said they put a mower into a specific area two to three hours before milking and then allowed the cows to strip graze the ML99 Multileaf® directly from the dairy.

“In the evening they would bolt to the paddock,” he said. “They’d

head to it and have a good feed. It’s been amazing.”

ML99 Multileaf® provides three nights of grazing for between 190 and 200 cows and forms a valuable part of their overall ration across the summer period.

Grazing of the lucerne is scheduled for every 21 to 22 days which is a bit sooner than what their hay cuts had been.

Mr Kerrins said the hay cuts were always just at flowering but they found the grazing value was better just before the flower sets.

He said production from the lucerne paddock was constant from late September through until it started to slow down in late April.

There was the occasional grazing opportunity across the winter and then the paddock was cleaned for weeds and put into full production for spring.

Super and potash are applied after every grazing and the lucerne

is normally irrigated every 14 days across the summer period.

“We don’t treat it like a normal pasture,” Mr Kerrins said. “It is the only way to handle it with the cost of water. We are trying to head towards more water efficient plants.”

He said the ML99 Multileaf®

responded particularly well after each grazing and was still producing strongly after four years of production.

“They milk really well on the lucerne. There isn’t any drop-off in production at all.”

In the spring time a further four bays will be sown to lucerne and initially used for hay and silage as the crop establishes before being switched across to a grazing option in the second and subsequent years.

At this stage, the plan is to mow the lucerne in the evening and allow the cows to access it after milking in the mornings.

Mr Kerrins said ML99 Multileaf®

lucerne had persisted particularly well with the hay and grazing across the years.

IMAGE: Mick and George Kerrins, of Dhurringile, VIC in a crop of ML99 Multileaf® lucerne which is utilised for grazing on the property.

ML99 MULTILEAF®

ML99 MULTILEAF® A GREAT ALL-ROUND LUCERNE

ML99 Multileaf® has demonstrated an ability to be a great all-round lucerne on the property of Michael Lyons, at Thornton, in the Lockyer Valley of southern Queensland.

Mr Lyons said he originally planted ML99 Multileaf® in 2013 but had to replant after floods that year made a mess of the paddock.

The area was one of the first to be sown again and the lucerne established quickly and was ready for its first cut in the spring later that year.

Three seasons on, the ML99 Multileaf® is still performing strongly and providing hay options throughout spring and summer and even into the cooler months of winter.

Mr Lyons said the high winter activity of ML99 Multileaf® meant it continued to grow throughout

the cooler months and provided opportunities for hay at that time of year.

“I’ve found it to be a very good all-round lucerne. It is very leafy, with thin stalks and makes a good bale.”

He said ML99 Multileaf® was particularly quick to recover after each hay cut and demonstrated excellent regrowth at all times of the year.

This was particularly noticeable in the cooler months where the variety is able to still produce growth.

Hay on the property is normally harvested into small square bales and either used to feed cattle on-farm or stored in the shed and sold to a range of end-users in the winter time.

“I feed it out to the weaners as they need it,” Mr Lyons said. “They do very well on it.”

Feedback from a range of end users has been very positive with high quality, premium hay produced from the variety.

The lucerne was generally cut

every 28 days across the summer and early autumn months and lengthened out during the cooler months.

Mr Lyons said there were some occasions when wet weather intervened and forced the lucerne to sit there for a week or two past its optimum cutting period.

He said ML99 Multileaf® hung on particularly well and kept its leaf attached to the stalks right down to the ground.

“When it gets a bit old we don’t have too much trouble with it,” he said.

As ML99 Multileaf® completed its third summer of production it continued to perform strongly and is likely to remain a viable option for a number of seasons to come.

IMAGE: Michael Lyons, of Thornton, QLD, has found ML99 Multileaf® lucerne to be a great all-round variety.

ML99 MULTILEAF® – VERY HIGHLY WINTER ACTIVE

X =

E =

ML99 Multileaf® lucerne demonstrating multileaf trait for high forage quality.


BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

1. PADDOCK SELECTION AND PREPARATION

Lucerne can be grown on a range of soils from deep sands to heavy clays. For best yield and persistence select paddocks with: • Optimal range soil

pH(CaCl2) 5.0 - 7.5. • Good natural slopes (for good

drainage within the paddock)• Adequate fertility (nutrient

levels)A surface and subsoil soil test

is recommended to determine the suitability for lucerne. Soil acidity affects every stage of lucerne production from seedling establishment to stand survival.

Incorporate lime 3 to 6 months before sowing where topsoil pH(CaCl2) is below 5.0. Avoid soils with acid sub-soils or high levels of sub-soil exchangeable aluminium (above 5%). Apply gypsum to sodic soils (exchangeable sodium levels above 6%) to overcome surface crusting problems.

Gypsum needs to be applied several months before sowing. Use deep ripping to break hard layers in the sub-soil and to increase gypsum penetration to depth. Plan for weed control prior to and during the cropping phase to reduce the density and seed-set of major weeds.

Lucerne is sensitive to herbicide residue problems. The main carryover problems are associated

with the triazines (e.g. simazine and atrazine), imadazolinones (e.g. Midas®, OnDuty®, Spinnaker® following dry seasons) and sulfonylurea herbicides (e.g, Glean®, Ally®, Logran® on high pH soils).

Test the soil using pots over summer or delay planting lucerne for at least one year after application of these residual herbicide groups.

2. BEFORE SOWING

If weeds are present before sowing use knockdown herbicides. At sowing pre emergent herbicides such as Trifluralin should be applied in Autumn between 4 weeks and 7 days and Spring 4 weeks and 3 days before sowing takes place.

These herbicides are a cheap option to control winter weeds (including annual ryegrass, wild oats, fumitory, annual phalaris and wireweed).

Maintain adequate stubble cover over summer but slash or late burn stubble before sowing. Use an appropriate cropping phase and/or sprays to reduce egg-laying mite populations in the growing season before lucerne establishment. Monitor paddocks for soil dwelling pests such as false wireworm and pink cutworm. Look for adequate soil moisture to 20 cm at time of sowing.

Pre-irrigation (where possible) and sowing into moisture is best practice for lucerne establishment.

– THE TOP 13 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES –

Broadstrike™ herbicide will control Capeweed, Wild radish, Wireweed and Doublegee/Spiny emex when used in conjunction with a mixing partner. = control of named weeds; Leaf = true leaf; PS = pre-sowing; PE = pre-emergent A: Aryloxyphonoxy propionates, Cyclohexanediones B: Imidazolinones C: Nitrates, Urea, Triazines D: Dinitroanilines, Benzoic acids, Pyridines F: Nicotinanalides L: Bipyridles. Herbicides for weed control in lucerne as indicated by shading.

**Before using any herbicide consult your agronomist and the product label regarding safe and effective use** Table adapted from The Back Pocket Guide WA

PRE-SOWING POST EMERGENT, SEEDLING AND ESTABLISHED LUCERNE

HERBICIDE TRIFLURALIN FUSILADE®,VERDICT®

SELECT®, FACTOR® BROADSTRIKE™ SPINNAKER® RAPTOR®,

CLAW® BROMOXYNIL JAGUAR®, BENTLEY®

2,4D-B TRIFOLAMINE

GROUP D A (FOP’S) A (DIMS) B B B C C & F I

GRASS WEEDS

Ryegrass - Suppression - - -

Barley Grass - - - - -

Brome Grass - - - - - -

Wild Oats - - - -

Silver Grass - - - - - Suppression - - -

BROADLEAF WEEDS

Capeweed - - - - -

Wild Radish - - - Suppression Suppression -

Wireweed - - Suppression Suppression

Wild Mustard - - - -

Wild Turnip - - -

Doublegee - - - Suppression Suppression -

Crop Stage PS 1+ Leaf 1+ Leaf 2+ Leaf 1+ Leaf 2+ Leaf 1+ Leaf 3+ Leaf 2 to 6 Leaf

Weed Stage PE - - 2-6 Leaf PE-3 Leaf - PE-3 Leaf - -

ESTABLISHED LUCERNE ONLYHERBICIDE BROADSTRIKE™ DIURON - DIUREX® SIMAZINE - GESATOP® SPRAY.SEED® PARAQUAT - GRAMOXONE®

GROUP B C C L L

GRASS WEEDS

Ryegrass -

Barley Grass -

Brome Grass -

Wild Oats -

Silver Grass -

BROADLEAF WEEDS

Capeweed - - -

Wild Radish Suppression - -

Wireweed Suppression - -

Wild Mustard -

Wild Turnip -

Doublegee Suppression - - -

Crop Stage At least one year old



BUD DEVELOPMENTThe appearance of 2 cm long shoots from the crown on just over half the plants is the most reliable indicator of when to cut or graze for maximum productivity and persistence of lucerne (rather than the 10% flowering yardstick).

5cm

Too early Optimum time Too late

3. FERTILISER

Phosphorus is vital for early seedling growth and strong root development for better plant survival. Sow lucerne with a minimum of 15 - 20 units P/Ha (dryland) and 20 - 40 units P/Ha (irrigation). Banding fertiliser 2 - 3 cm below the seed is best. Molybdenum added to the fertiliser ensures good nodulation for greater nitrogen fixation by the lucerne. Lookout for adequate levels of sulphur, potassium, boron and zinc.

TOPDRESS WITH P & K

After the seeding year, annual applications of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) help maintain stands and boost yields. Lucerne is a heavy user of soil nutrients, especially K. The incidence of nutrient deficiencies of P and K is increasing, particularly in paddocks with a long-term history of cropping (without adequate fertiliser) or hay production. P - deficient lucerne has fine, spindly stems, and the leaves become narrow and often turn purple. A deficiency of K can not only reduce yield but it is essential for efficient nodulation, plant health (especially leaf disease and leaf retention under stress), stand persistence and winter hardiness. White spotting of the leaf margins is a common characteristic of K deficiency in lucerne. A good fertiliser rule of thumb is to top-dress annually with 10 - 20 kg P/Ha or after the first cutting (but before regrowth starts) with 6 kgs of P and 25 kgs of K per tonne of forage harvested during the season. Always remove weeds before top-dressing.

Use soil test results and strip-tests to determine actual application rates needed for adequate fertility levels.

4. WEED CONTROL

Management practices that maximise lucerne growth will normally suppress weeds. The aim of post-emergent weed control in established lucerne is to suppress the weeds from excessive competition or setting seed and not necessarily eradicate all the weeds.

Removing grasses and other weeds in mid winter with a selective herbicide (winter cleaning) improves spring production and quality, extends the useful life of the stand and increases the benefit for the following grain crop.

5. SOWING TECHNIQUE

Lucerne should be sown into a level, firm and slightly cloddy seedbed. A separate small seeds box and narrow points allow accurate seed placement with reduced soil disturbance. Plant lucerne paddocks first in your cropping program. If stand density is patchy and below 10 plants (dryland) or 40 plants (irrigation), consider stand removal and re-seeding.

Lucerne is suited to under-sowing with winter crops or direct drilling into crop stubble after the grain harvest. Seeding rate of the cover crop should be reduced by 50% and sown in skip (alternate) rows. A cover crop can help defray the costs of establishment and reduce soil erosion or wind sandblasting of lucerne seedlings on sand hills and sandy flats.

6. EARLY MANAGEMENT

Seed treatment or bare earth emergence spray for red legged earth mites will pay dividends in the long run. Monitor seedlings carefully for aphids and use aphid resistant varieties. Graze leniently the first time when the young stand is at least 20 cm high and well anchored. Lucerne established under cover crops should be allowed to flower before first cut or grazing.

7. GRAZING MANAGEMENT

Rotational grazing is the preferred management system for lucerne. Grazing periods should be no longer than 2 weeks, followed by a 3 to 6 week rest period. This practice allows the plants to regrow and replenish root reserves.

Larger mobs that fit the grazing unit (paddock size) allow quicker grazing. Alternatively, the use of high stocking rates is greatly assisted with strip grazing and electric fencing. Changing to August lambing gives better utilisation of lucerne in pastures.

Maintain flexibility with stocking rates and grazing management. Conserve excess feed as hay or silage to fill feed gaps or provide additional income. Rotational grazing with all varieties during summer and autumn will maintain production and persistence at a high level.


pH4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0

Available nutrients in relation to pH.

8.0 9.0NITROGEN

PHOSPHORUS

POTASSIUM

SULPHUR

CALCIUM

MAGNESIUM

IRON

MANGANESE

BORON

COPPER AND ZINC

MOLYBDENUM

SEED DEPTH & LUCERNE EMERGENCE

DEPTH (CM) PERCENTAGE EMERGENCE

Sand Loam Clay

1.25cm (0.5 inches) 71 59 53

2.50cm (1.0 inches) 73 55 48

3.75cm (1.5 inches) 55 31 28

5.0cm (2.0 inches) 40 16 13

OPTIMUM PLANT POPULATIONS per m2

ESTABLISHED PLANTS PER SQUARE METRE (MINIMUM DENSITY HIGHLIGHTED)

Situation Cover Crops or Pasture Mixes

Sown Alone

Marginal dryland (<400mm annual rainfall) 5 - 15 10 - 15

Good dryland (400 - 600mm annual rainfall) 10 - 15 15 - 25

Very good dryland / Tablelands (over 600mm annual rainfall cold climate rates) 15 - 25 25 - 40

High rainfall / Coastal (600mm annual rainfall warm climate) 25 - 40 40 - 60

Irrigation Not recommended 60 - 130

GUIDE TO SEEDING RATES OF COVER CROPS & COMPANION SPECIES

COVER CROPS COMPANION SPECIES

Barley 20-30 kg/Ha Subclover & medics 2-3 kg/Ha

Lupins 40-50 kg/Ha Phalaris 1 kg/Ha

Oats 25-35 kg/Ha Cocksfoot 1-3 kg/Ha

Wheat 30-45 kg/Ha Fescue 2-3 kg/Ha

SEEDING RATES (Kg/Ha) AND TIMES

VARIETY MARGINAL DRYLAND

GOOD DRYLAND &

TABLELANDS

IRRIGATION & COAST SEEDING TIME

ML99 Multileaf®, L92, L91, Q75, L71, L70, GTL®60

2 - 4 4 - 8 10-20 Autumn, Winter, Spring

L56 1 - 3 4 - 6 10-20 Autumn, Spring

Q31 1 - 3 4 - 6 10-20 Early Autumn, Spring

CUTTING & GRAZING TIPS

VARIETYRECOMMENDED

GRAZING PRACTICE/NUMBER OF PADDOCKS

RECOMMENDED CUTTING INTERVAL

ML99 Multileaf®, L92, L91, Q75, L71, L70, GTL®60

Strict rotation/6-7 paddock rotation 25 - 28 days

L56 Flexible grazing period (up to 3 weeks)/3-4 paddock rotation 33 - 35 days

Q31 As for L56 38 - 42 days

Avoid grazing waterlogged paddocks because soil compaction and trampling will reduce yield and lead to poor persistence. Set stocking during spring in good years will not harm the stand and may reduce the risk of bloat in cattle. To optimise stand longevity, allow lucerne to reach mid-flowering once during the year.

Too frequent cutting or set stocking for extended periods reduces overall yields, reduces vigour, which allows weed invasion and ultimately results in death of plants.


8. IRRIGATION

For high production of lucerne, irrigation management should aim to avoid any moisture stress. When water is in short supply, it is possible to extend the irrigation interval more than shallow rooted pasture to maintain lower levels of production.

Irrigation layout and practice should ensure water penetrates at least 80 to 100 cm and permit drainage within 8 hours to minimise waterlogging. Do not irrigate immediately after hay is harvested to reduce the risk of scalding, particularly during summer. Time the final irrigation to allow adequate dry-down of the soil surface to prevent soil compaction by harvesting machinery.

SUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION

Low volume emitters, moulded onto the internal wall of a polyethylene tube and buried 200mm to 300mm below the soil surface, is recognised as the most efficient means of irrigating lucerne (95% WUE) and is becoming increasingly popular as water availability declines and the cost of water increases.

These sub-surface drip irrigation laterals are spaced across the paddock at distances from 0.8m to 1.2m apart, depending on soil and crop requirements. As the water (and fertiliser) is delivered right to the root-zone (where it is needed) in measurable and adjustable quantities it not only saves water but has a positive effect on plant productivity, longevity and health.

As opposed to flood and spray

irrigation, excess water does not collect on the surface and hence growers can manage their cutting times more effectively, there is less weed growth and no compaction is caused by harvesting equipment.

Sub-surface drip irrigation also requires very little labour to operate and maintain.

9. LIVESTOCK HEALTH

Cattle grazing lucerne pastures during the bloat season (winter and spring) are susceptible to bloat. Frequent observation of stock on lucerne is essential. To manage bloat use high stocking rates and avoid placing hungry stock on immature lucerne.

Allowing stock access to grass, stubble or hay while they are grazing lucerne and the use of bloat oil and/or rumen capsules will effectively reduce the incidence of bloat. Vaccinate stock with 5 in 1 to prevent pulpy kidney, which is sometimes confused with bloat. Red gut can affect sheep and lambs that are grazing pure stands of lucerne during similar weather conditions, which can result in bloat. At the first sign of red gut (sudden death) affected flocks should be removed immediately. Manage red gut the way you would bloat for cattle.

BLOAT REDUCTION OPTION

Pasture Genetics has designed a Sowsmart® pasture blend called Bloat Fighter. This has been designed as a pasture blend option to help to reduce the incidence of bloat on straight lucerne based pastures. This mix has incorporated two companion species Zulumax

Arrowleaf Clover and Balance Chicory that have proven anti bloating properties.

10. HAYMAKING

Before adopting a haymaking enterprise, organise a market in advance and consistently meet market requirements. Generally, aim for high quality as well as high yields to optimise animal performance and long-term profitability.

Mechanical field losses during haymaking can be large (20 - 40%). Aim to mow early in the day and minimise handling during the curing process.

11. CHAFF VARIETAL SELECTION

The traditional chaff market has been based around the horse feed industry. Lucerne has been a sought after product to meet the market requirements. When selecting a lucerne variety to target chaff quality we look for material that has a high leaf to stem ratio. It is important to maximize the softness of the leaf but still maintain the functional fibre. There are four lucerne varieties that can be utilised - ML99 Multileaf®, Q75 - winter actives, L56 and Q31 - semi-winter/dormant lines. The management of each line is very important to achieve the desirable quality. With highly winter active lines it is important to cut in the earlier stage of maturity to maintain maximum leaf compared to stem. The window of opportunity with varieties such as L56 and Q31 is quite wide due to the higher leaf trait of these lines. This

in turn allows for high quality across a high percentage of cuts.

12. NUTRIENT REMOVAL

To maintain the health of lucerne stands replace soil nutrients removed in hay. Soil and leaf tissue tests annually in early spring help ensure other nutrients are adequate.

13. RE-SOWING AND CROP ROTATION

High producing lucerne will generally require re-sowing after 4 to 7 years. Winter active stands will often decline sooner than winter dormant ones. Thickening up an old and thinning lucerne stand fails more than it succeeds. It is best practice to completely remove old lucerne plants and allow at least three weeks between herbicide application and re-sowing. There are significant benefits in rotating lucerne paddocks with winter cereal or canola crops to control weeds, use soil nitrogen, break disease and insect cycles, manage in-crop herbicide resistance as well as increase whole farm profits.

IMAGE BELOW: Lucerne as a rotational crop offers excellent chemical options to control in crop weeds – Herbicide resistant ryegrass in windrows from previous crop can be controlled with grazing and many chemical options.


MEASURING FORAGE QUALITY WEIGHT GAIN EFFECT BASED ON FEED QUALITY

(180 TO 275 KG STEER CALVES)Pre-bud Bud Early Full

CP 23 20 17 14

ADF 21 26 34 43

DDM 73 69 62 55

Intake 3.5 3 2.5 2

Daily Gain (kgs) 1 0.86 0.55 0.36

kg of feed (gain) 3.2 4.07 5.5 6.75

NUTRIENT REMOVAL

NUTRIENTS AMOUNT REMOVED IN 1 DM T OF HAY

SEASONALLY IN 15 DM T/HA OF HAY

Nitrogen (N) 20 - 30 kg 375 kg

Phosphorus (P) 2 - 3kg 37 kg

Potassium (K) 15 - 20 kg 262 kg

Sulphur (S) 2 - 4 kg 45 kg

Calcium (Ca) 13 - 17 kg 225 kg

Magnesium (Mg) 3 - 4 kg 52 kg

Source: University of Nevada-Reno. All values on a dry-matter basis. Intake = % of body weight, CP = % Crude Protein, ADF = % acid detergent fibre, DDM = % digestible dry matter.

LUCERNE AS A ROTATIONAL CROP



PESTS & DISEASES

Colletotrichum Crown Rot or Stem Anthracnose – Colletotichum Trifolii

DESCRIPTION. Brown-black spots on the stems develop into well defined boat shaped lesions that are up to 25 mm long, dark around the edges with pale centres, and covered in raised dark spots. The fungus can also enter the crown causing a blue-black discolouration, 5 - 8 cm into the taproot. In mature stands, the dead stems are white or straw coloured with a sheppard’s crook appearance. Plant death occurs gradually.

INCIDENCE. Occurs throughout Australia in warm environments with high humidity. It is more severe during late summer to autumn. It is less likely in drier and cooler climates.

SPREAD. Spores spread in warm, wet weather from plant debris and from the crown of infected plants by raindrop splash and harvesting equipment.

MANAGEMENT. Use disease resistant varieties and, if crown rot and anthracnose have been severe, rotate the crop every three years with non-host plants.

Stem Nematode – Ditylenchus Dipsaci

DESCRIPTION. Microscopic eel-worms that are individually difficult to see with the naked eye. Sometimes they mass on or just below the surface to form visible ”eel-worm wool”. These can survive desiccation and be transported in hay to start new infestations.

DAMAGE. Plants are dwarfed and distorted, with swollen shoots. Leaves are distorted and clustered towards the ends of stems. Plants die in patches.

INCIDENCE. Occur in southern Australia, common in irrigated stands on river flats, with greatest severity in the spring.

MANAGEMENT. Sow resistant varieties, plough out badly infested stands and practice crop rotation.

Spotted Alfalfa Aphid (SAA) – Therioaphis Trifolii

DESCRIPTION. Adults are pale yellowish-green, 2 mm long, with six or more rows of black spots along their backs. Adults may have wings. Nymphs are smaller and wingless.

DAMAGE. Adults and nymphs suck sap from the stems or the undersides of lower leaves. SAA inject a toxin that can kill seedlings and mature plants. Prior to that, leaf veins become yellow or white and the leaves curl and drop off. Honeydew excreted by SAA causes foliage to become sticky and develop a black, sooty mould.

INCIDENCE. Occur throughout Australia in dry conditions, mainly in the spring and autumn.

MANAGEMENT. Plant resistant varieties. Monitor beneficial insects. Irrigate or graze the stand to reduce SAA numbers. In irrigated hay stands, use insecticides if the infestation is heavy.

Bacterial Wilt - Clavibacter Michiganense SSP.Insidiosus

DESCRIPTION. Yellow and stunted plants with small leaves are scattered through the stand. The inner bark of the taproot is white while the exposed root centre is yellowish.

INCIDENCE. Common in southern Australia, but has not been reported in the southeast of South Australia. It often occurs in autumn in irrigated stands. It is not found in the dry, inland subtropics of Queensland and northern New South Wales.

SPREAD. The bacteria persist in soil for more than 10 years. The disease is spread by stem nematodes and through hay and machinery.

MANAGEMENT. Sow certified seed of resistant varieties.

Bluegreen Aphid (BGA) – Acyrthosiphon Kondoi

DESCRIPTION. Adults vary from pale green-grey to dark green-blue and are 3 mm long and have tube-like projections on either side at the rear of their bodies. Adults may have wings. Nymphs are smaller and wingless.

DAMAGE. Adults and nymphs suck sap from the leaves and stems at the growing points, causing shortened internodes between the leaves at the top of each stem, stunted plants, leaf curling and leaf yellowing. Honeydew excreted by BGA make the foliage sticky and affects hay and pasture quality. BGA do not kill mature plants.

INCIDENCE. Occur throughout Australia & most active during the cooler months, particularly dry conditions.

MANAGEMENT. Plant resistant varieties. Monitor beneficial insects. Irrigate or graze the stand to reduce BGA numbers. In irrigated hay stands, use insecticides if the infestation is heavy.

Fusarium Wilt – Fusarium Oxysporum F.SP.Medicaginis

DESCRIPTION. Initially, plants are stunted with wilted shoots and yellow leaves. The infection then bleaches the leaves and stems, eventually causing plant death. Dark red-brown streaks develop in a layer under the bark at the base of the stem forming a reddish-brown ring in the centre of the root.

INCIDENCE. Fusarium wilt is not common. The Fusarium fungus is widespread, but rarely causes wilt. Fusarium wilt has not been identified in New South Wales.

SPREAD. The fungus survives for long periods in decaying plants. It invades small roots or wounds in the taproot during warm, wet weather.

MANAGEMENT. Controlled by crop rotation and resistant varieties.

Phytophthora Root Rot – Phytophthora Medicaginis

DESCRIPTION. Plants turn yellow, wilt and die. Areas of light brown discolouration up to 5 cm long occur on the taproot up to 30 cm below the crown. The Taproot below the discoloured area will rot away completely.

INCIDENCE. Occurs throughout Australia, particularly in heavy and/or poorly drained soils, and in wet conditions. The disease can be severe, killing large numbers of seedlings or scattered plants or large patches in mature seeds. In irrigated stands plants can survive. The taproots immediately below the crown is kept alive by the availability of water but forage yields are reduced.

SPREAD. The fungus spreads rapidly in water over considerable distances.

MANAGEMENT. Use resistant varieties and spell the paddock from lucerne. Do not rotate with chickpeas. Avoid waterlogging irrigated stands on heavy soils.

Pea Aphid (PA) – Acyrthosiphon Pisom

DESCRIPTION. Green in colour, though some may be yellow or pink. They are 4 - 5 mm long with dark bands around the antennae and spine-like projections on both sides at the rear of their bodies. Adults may have wings. Nymphs are smaller and wingless.

DAMAGE. PA suck sap from the leaves causing wilting, stunting and curling, and odd-shaped plants. The top leaves often turn light green while the lower turn yellow and die. Honeydew excreted by PA makes foliage sticky, affecting hay and pasture quality. PA is a significant carrier of alfalfa mosaic virus.

INCIDENCE. Common in southern Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales during dry conditions in spring and autumn,although economic levels of damage are rare.

MANAGEMENT. Monitor beneficial insects. Irrigate or graze the stand to reduce PA numbers. In irrigated hay stands, use insecticides if the infestation is heavy.

Image Source: 1 – N Vock. 2 – H Bishop. 3 – DPI. 4 – DPI. 5 – D Ironside. 6 – S Orloff. 7 – NSW Agpiculture. 8 – N Vock.

– PESTS & DISEASES BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES –

1

5

2

6

3

7

4

8


PESTS & DISEASES

MULTIPLE PEST & DISEASE CHART

Pasture Genetics lucerne varieties stand out in the Australian market place with superior pest and disease ratings. L56 has the highest resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot available and is the only variety to have high resistance to each of the nine significant pests and diseases listed in the multiple pest and disease chart below.

VARIETY WINTER ACTIVITY

SPOTTEDALFALFA

APHID

BLUE GREEN APHID

PEA APHID

PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT ANTHRACNOSE BACTERIAL

WILTFUSARIUM

WILTSTEM

NEMATODEROOT KNOT NEMATODE

HIGHLY WINTER ACTIVE

ML99 Multileaf® 10 HR HR ND HR HR ND ND MR HR

Sardi 10 10 HR HR ND R R ND ND R ND

L92 9 R MR ND R R/HR ND ND ND ND

L91 9 HR HR HR HR HR R HR R ND

Sequel 9 R R ND MR R ND ND MR ND

Cropper 9.5 9 HR HR HR HR MR ND HR HR ND

Pegasis 9 HR LR ND R MR ND ND ND ND

WINTER ACTIVE

Q75 7 HR R HR HR HR MR HR R R

SARDI 7 7 HR HR ND R MR ND ND R ND

Genesis 7 R R ND R R ND ND ND ND

L71 7 MR MR ND R R ND ND ND ND

L70 7 HR HR ND R R R ND R ND

Aurora 6 HR HR ND R MR LR ND R ND

GTL®60 6 HR HR ND HR HR HR ND R ND

Stamina - GT6 6 HR R HR R HR ND ND HR ND

Hunterfield 6 HR HR ND S S S ND S ND

SEMI-WINTER DORMANT

L56 5 HR HR HR HR+ HR HR HR HR HR

SARDI 5 5 HR HR ND HR HR R ND MR ND

Venus 5 HR MR ND MR LR ND ND ND ND

Kaituna 5 R HR HR MR R R ND HR ND

WINTER DORMANT

Q31 3 R MR MR HR HR HR R HR HR

MEASURING THE RESISTANCE OF MAJOR PESTS

RESISTANCE LEVEL HIGH RESISTANCE HR

RESISTANCE R

MODERATE RESISTANCE MR

LOW RESISTANCE LR

SUSCEPTIBLE S

Plant Resistance = >50% = 31-50% = 15-30% = 7-14% = 0-6%

For example, a lucerne variety having a ‘LR’ or “Susceptible’ rating to a particular disease or pest will have less than 15% resistant individuals within the plant population in a stand.

HR = High Resistance, R = Resistant, MR = Moderate Resistance, LR = Low Resistance, S = Susceptible, ND = No Data. Note – L56 has the highest resistance of PRR available

– PESTS & DISEASES BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES –


Disclaimer: Pasture Genetics has taken all reasonable care in the preparation of this publication. The information contained is thought to be correct at the time of publication. Always seek professional advice from your local agronomist or Pasture Genetics representative prior to purchasing any products. Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved. Science based seed®, Multileaf®, Establishment Guarantee®, Goldstrike®, SOWsmart®, Tetrone™, Xtraleaf®, Longlife™, XLR8™ and Pasture Genetics™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of Pasture Genetics or its affiliates. Poncho® Plus and Gaucho® is a registered trademark of Bayer Crop Science. All other brand names are registered trademarks of the particular company.

14 -16 Hakkinen Road, Wingfield, SA • T 08 8445 1111 • F 08 8445 7777 • [email protected] • • pasturegenetics.com

LUCERNE & CHICORY BLEND

Rainfall 350mm+ Persistent, low bloat, high weight gain E

L71 Lucerne X 80%

Balance Chicory X 20%

SOWING RATE 4 - 6 kg/Ha

Persistent high producing lucerne, combined with mineral rich, highly palatable long term chicory. This blend delivers good protein to energy rating driving high animal production.

RANGER PLANTAIN

(Plantago lancolata) EX

Dry Matter High

Drought Tolerance High

Lifespan (years) 3 – 5

Growth All year round


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 4 - 8


• Performs well in all ranges of fertility

• Strikes faster than grasses• Good water use efficiency• Highly palatable and

provides excellent stock nutrition and performance

• Good all year growth and higher cool season growth

• Well balanced levels of crude protein, energy and minerals

• Higher levels of S, Ca, Na, Cu and B than grasses and some clovers

• Excellent increases in weight gains and decreased dagginess when used in a mix

• Goldstrike® treated with added Molybdenum (Mo). This helps to reduce the incidence of Whiptail

• Comes Standard with Goldstrike® XLR8 treatment – (Poncho® Plus insecticide)

– COMPANION OPTIONS –

Pasture Genetics are so confident about our seed genetics and seed quality we will replace any of our proprietary lines at half the original purchase price if it fails to establish satisfactorily in the first thirty days.• Replacement seed for crop

establishment failures.

• Pasture Genetics is very confident about seed quality and provides our innovative Establishment Guarantee® program on all of our proprietary products.

• Unfortunately establishment failures can occur and if the crop needs to be replanted, Pasture Genetics will provide replacement seed at half the original purchase price.

• The Establishment Guarantee® program is available for the vital 30 day period after planting and provides growers with substantial savings if they need to replant their paddocks.

• Pasture Genetics is the only forage company in Australia to offer Establishment Guarantee®.

Conditions Apply

BLOAT FIGHTER BLEND

Rainfall 350mm+ Persistent, low bloat E

ML99 Multileaf® Lucerne X 50%

Balance Chicory X 30%

Zulumax Arrowleaf Clover G 20%

SOWING RATE 4 - 6 kg/Ha

A blend including pasture varieties with proven “anti bloating” proteins designed to minimise the risk of bloat when grazing lucerne rich pastures. SOWsmart® Bloat Fighter provides an alternative to pure lucerne stands yet provides similar weight gains and improved palatability for livestock.

BALANCE CHICORY

(Chicorium intybus) EX

Lifespan (years) 2 – 3

Growth All year round


SEEDING RATE kg/Ha

Dryland 3

High Rainfall/Irrigation 5

• Long term chicory• Rapid establishment and excellent

winter growth• Autumn or spring sowing option• Useful as a hard grazing option in

a rotational system• Excellent weight gains• Pasture mix option• Good protein to energy rating• Resistant to diamondback moth

and white butterfly• Goldstrike® treated with added

Molybdenum (Mo). This helps to reduce the incidence of Whiptail caused by Molybdenum deficient soils

• Comes Standard with Goldstrike® XLR8 treatment – (Poncho® Plus insecticide)

• Better option than Puna 2, Grouse, Chico, Commander

X =

E =

REGISTER ONLINE

– FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION –

QUEENSLAND Michael Christensen 0430 821 029

SOUTHERN QLD & NORTHERN NSW Hugh Graham 0427 255 292

CENTRAL NSW Adam Little 0499 022 554

SOUTHERN NSW & NORTHERN VIC Dean Lombardozzi 0425 871 968

GIPPSLAND & CENTRAL VIC Tim Francis 0419 995 416

WESTERN DISTRICTS VIC, SE SA & TAS John Heard 0499 660 069

YORKE PENINSULA, RIVERLAND SA & VIC MALLEE James Cook 0430 353 006

FLEURIEU PENINSULA, UPPER SOUTH EAST SA David Barnett 0429 999 155

EYRE PENINSULA, MID NORTH SA & WA Rehn Freebairn 0447 711 905PASTURE GENETICS WAREHOUSE DEPOTS ARE LOCATED IN: Toowoomba, Tamworth, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Shepparton, Hallam, Ballarat, Launceston, Adelaide and Perth.

2016 lucerne technical advisor - pasture...

Documents