In South Africa, lucerne is generally planted from March to May to minimise competition from weeds. For higher rainfall southern regions, successful spring sowing of lucerne is achievable. The ideal legume:grass ratio of 30:70 in a mixture is determined by many factors, of which choice of species, planting date, sowing density, stand density, planting method (rows vs. broadcast), soil fertility, timing and height of grazing, are probably the most important. The flowering stage is critical and it is here that moisture can determine the harvest. Lucerne is an excellent source of Ca, Mg, P, carotene and vitamin D. Lucerne grazing is mainly used in the following regions in South Africa: South Western Cape, Northern and Eastern Cape, eastern Free State, North West Province and Mpumalanga. In most lucerne seed producing areas, lucerne is sown in the autumn. Seed producers must irrigate lucerne till before flowering, and again after pollination is complete. The quantity of stems and leaves is equal at early flowering stage, but by late flowering 60% of the total yield consists of stems and only 40% of leaves. NH or organic acids are used to gain control of these and to preserve the hay. Nitrogen fixed by Rhizobium is available for the grass component (especially under grazing), and little or no N supplementation is needed during the season. Lucerne fixes 200 Kg of nitrogen per hectare every year. Your local Elders, etc. When the leaves begin to drop as a result of lack of water, the lucerne should be cut to limit further loss. Ensiling lucerne has many advantages over making hay, when it comes to retaining quality. Lucerne belongs to the legume family, which means that, working with soil bacteria called rhizobia, it is able to fix nitrogen to make it available for plant growth. the length of the grazing and resting periods, their timing with regard to growth, developmental stage and weather, as well as the grazing pressure. There must be sufficient water through the spring and summer to prevent stress while the flowers are being pollinated and the seed is ripening. Yield is higher with lucerne mixtures than with pure lucerne. Uniform soil texture will reduce the differences in development between plants. The more dormant the cultivar, the more the crown is protected, and the more the lucerne is resistant to damage-related crown- and root-diseases. Lucerne or alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a deep-rooted, temperate, perennial pasture legume which is well adapted to mixed farming systems in southern Western Australia.Due to its high water use and deep roots (>two metres on suitable soils) it is able to address rising watertables and associated salinity. Alfalfa (/ æ l ˈ f æ l f ə /), also called lucerne and called Medicago sativa in binomial nomenclature, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae.It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. Producers often use a combination of factors in scheduling hay making. An established lucerne pasture provides an alternative source of forage for animal production, especially outside the growing season of annual crops and pastures. In drier areas, where leaf diseases are fewer, the maximum amount of nutrients is still available up till 50% flowering. Regrowth left on the plant through the winter protects the crown and the growing points against cold damage. Silage is an alternative means of retaining nutritional quality. The principles for making lucerne silage are the same as for maize silage, except that maize has a higher concentration of fermentable carbohydrate which makes it unnecessary to supplement carbohydrate. There is less danger of bloat because of the higher roughage-fibre intake from the grass component. Autumn sowing is recommended in low-medium rainfall regions where the majority of … David Cross, farms a dry mixed farm in North Norfolk and started the trial as he was looking for ways to provide reliable forage during the summer. Planting Depth: It can be direct-seeded, or planted into forestry tubes … This is recommended only for lucerne intended for seed production, with a limited lifespan, not for hay or grazing. Lucerne silage can be made by traditional methods, i.e. However, due to the perennial nature of the crop, it is beneficial to add well-decomposed FYM @ 20-25 tonnes/ha before sowing in the first year. Crimping of lucerne can shorten drying time by up to a day. Lucerne packs a lot of protein that will get your cows; producing more milk in no time. This is a reaction to the reduction in daylength and temperature. In this process, the plant enzymes and aerobic bacteria use the available carbohydrates to form heat and carbon dioxide. Once seed is nearly ripe, irrigation should be completely stopped. Highly productive 7. The Ayam Cemani chicken really is a modern and relatively fresh breed of p... Assaf sheep is an Israel breed that is mainly raised for milk. The application of molybdenum and boron may be done based on the soil test. These different criteria lead to differences in yield and quality but, when cutting is determined by the growth stage, the plant itself is used as the indicator and in general a more constant yield and quality is obtained within each cultivar and over several seasons and in different localities. Regrowth after the second and later cuts may have already begun when the lucerne begins flowering. While lucerne may be planted in the autumn, spring planting is preferable in most areas. After lucerne has been harvested, it continues to respire actively for a short while. Unpredictable thunderstorms may hamper the process, however, especially in summer rainfall areas, as they reduce the quality of the hay. The digestibility and protein concentration of stems drops more rapidly with maturation than that of the leaves. Lucerne, which is a high-protein feed, requires extra carbohydrate for good fermentation. Cutting schedules are based on the growth stage, fixed cutting intervals, or development of regrowth on the crown. Increasing appreciation of the value of high-quality lucerne in terms of potential savings in energy and protein supplementation, have resulted in reconsideration of harvest-strategies. If harvesting is then delayed, the growing points needed to produce the next harvest are cut off, and the regrowth retarded. It supplies green fodder for a longer period (November – June) in comparison to berseem (December – April). Recommended Planting Time: Spring, or during the wet season, soil temperature should be at least 20ºC for germination, a higher soil temperature will give a more even germination. With a simple fertilizer plan, Lucerne can be hugely successful and help costs during a time of increasing imports, according to Harper Adams University agronomist, Louisa Dines. Deep clay soil, clayey loam or sandy clay soil with a high water retention capacity is preferable to sandy soil. It should be grazed as rapidly as possible for 7-10 days when in the late vegetative stage. The crop needs very frequent irrigation during its early growth period at an interval of about one week but once the plants are established, subsequent irrigation isprovided at an interval of 15-20 days during winter and 10-12 days during spring and summer seasons. Isolation. Time of sowing For higher rainfall southern regions, successful spring sowing of lucerne is achievable. In South Africa most lucerne seed is produced in the lower Orange River, Little Karoo and Calvinia districts. Grazing differs from mechanical harvesting in that the photosynthetic material is removed gradually over a period of time, and also removal is not as complete. The energy necessary for regrowth of lucerne after cutting is stored in the form of non-structural carbohydrates in the roots and crown or in the remaining leaves and stems. The timing of placement of the hives in the lands is very important because early placement may result in the bees searching for other sources of food. Hay with 18% moisture can still be protected by adding small quantities of propionic acid. Too late, and many flowers will wither before they can be visited. The low pH inhibits the further growth of bacteria and the activity of enzymes. If there is a likelihood of the lucerne being damaged by frost, as on the Highveld, the resting period must either begin sooner or else the first growth cycle in the spring must be left to go to flowering. Field preparation. It has a wide ecological amplitude and can grow at 2,500 m asl to hot summer with 49°C with adequate moisture available in the soil. Cutting at a specific growth stage also makes it possible to take into account the variation due to various environments and growth tempos. Join us for an online discussion of this farmer-led research. This limits the processes of respiration and the growth of fungus. The sowing in lines makes weeding easier. The time and money spent on the preparation of the seedbed can be in vain due to the use of poor seed. It also allows the lucerne a longer regrowth period if the cut lucerne is immediately removed from the field. Trifluralin, @ 4 kg/ha should be applied before sowing for a good harvest. The crown allows the plant to store root reserves for winter survival. It is unlikely that there will be serious losses of leaf material from leaf spot, as the cooler conditions of winter will inhibit its spread. In the Karoo lucerne can be sown under irrigation at any time of the year except in June and July. After seed has set there is need to guard against too high a moisture content in the air, which may result in seed damage. This is due to control of winter weeds and rising soil and air temperature aiding establishment. It is an important winter fodder crop used in Goat Farming Business in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and in Leh area of Ladakh. In order to prevent seepage from the silo and the production of poor quality silage, the lucerne must remain in the windrows until moisture content is about 65%. Traditionally, lucerne is allowed to grow for about 6 weeks between grazing episodes. Losses due to overheating, mould and breakdown of carbohydrates in lucerne hay that has been baled too damp (more than 20% moisture content) can be reduced by reducing plant and microbial metabolism. In the first 2 to 3 weeks after grazing, carbohydrates are mobilised from the … Stems have more sugars, fibre, K and Cl. Line sowing is preferred over broadcasting. The first cut should be taken at 55-65 days after sowing and the subsequent cuts may be taken at 30-35 days interval. This leads to a decline of the stand and loss of productivity. Lengthy exposure to air can result in the loss of available carbohydrates. A sowing density of 300 g/ha has, however, been used with great success. These stored non-structural carbohydrates are the main source of energy during winter. Small quantities of nitrogen and phosphate (15-20 kg/ha) can be applied at or before planting time to encourage growth and development of the young plants, which are not yet at a stage where they can fix sufficient N for themselves. Moderate tolerance of soil salinity and sodicity 4. The less often a tractor is driven over the land, the less damage it will cause. It facilitates spraying against insects and weeds. This gives the maximum seed yield in the first year of production. As a result, extra carbohydrate is necessary to allow the bacteria to form the lactic acid, acetic acid and proprionic acid that will preserve the silage. Like berseem, Lucerne also needs very fine seedbed, as the seeds are very small. Ability to spread: Low. Such If the rest period is too short there will be a loss of lucerne plants, and if it is too long, there will be a drop in quality linked to increasing stem:leaf ratio. In the temperate zone, spring sowing is done in March. Even non-dormant cultivars can be grazed with success. It cannot be grown under humid conditions with high temperatures. will have an agronomist who can point you in the right direction if you have not soil tested before. Successful lucerne seed production is influenced by the following factors, among others: With the exception of weather conditions, the producer has a reasonable degree of control over factors influencing seed production. If it is intended to produce basic seed, must be at least 200 m wide where the area intended for production is 2 ha or less, and at least 100 m wide where the area intended is more than 2 ha, and, If it is intended to produce certified seed, must be at least 100 m wide where the area intended for production is 2 ha or less, and at least 50 m wide where the intended area is more than 2 ha, In the case of planned production of basic seed, these plants have been established from breeders seed of the same cultivar, and. Dual purpose (grazing and hay) 6. If sown in spring, August and September would be the best months to sow. Only about 2% of pollination is the accidental result of other insects. Sowings in the late summer will result in heavier crops in the following spring. The plant will usually survive if it forms a crown before a killing frost. Lucerne grows best in loose soil and performs miserably in waterlogged areas. This drop is largely due to the increasing stem:leaf ratio and to an increase in the fibre content of the stems. Most hair roots occur in the upper 15-30 cm of soil, and these are responsible for 85% of the nutrient uptake of the plant. However, it will only become economical when hay is priced according to quality. Lucerne plants draw their water from a soil depth of 1.2 m, but the best results in seed production are obtained when water absorption up to 0.5 m is well controlled. It therefore have a lower netto energy thus a lower feed value. The time interval between grazing periods is the most critical factor. Poor quality hay may be the result of rain damage. For summer sowings it is recommended to sow after an early harvested cereal such as winter barley. This is due to control of winter weeds and rising soil and air temperature aiding establishment. Lucerne develops a long root system so you need to make sure your soil will grow it before you spend time, effort and money. Because of the problem of bloat, the use of lucerne in the form of hay is a popular practice in South Africa. The lucerne will probably be in full flower from the end of July till the middle of August, at which stage the harvesting process can be resumed. If it is higher than 65%, chemical preservatives must be added. Lucerne exhibits auto-toxicity, which means its seeds will not grow in a field of established lucerne, so it is impossible to ‘top-up’ thinning crops. This characteristic makes this possibly one of the most grazing-resistant semi-dormant cultivars available. There is less lodging of plants and the lower humidity reduces the incidence of leaf diseases and the amount of waterdamaged seed compared to broadcast stands. The best sowing time of the crop is mid-October to early November. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a2e2cc467d895f4d0895d6bb87c07599" );document.getElementById("bba0e8426a").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); The name Aseel or Asil or Asli are all the same chicken. greater risk of sowing the lucerne too deep. The choice of harvesting schedule begins with the decision as to what quality feed is required. In cold districts crops generally require a minimum of 6 weeks growth after germination to survive the winter. It also reduces leaf drop. Problems with removing air from the plastic bags has often led to low quality silage or total loss. Lucerne - the plant. Everywhere in the world lucerne planted for seed is sown in rows, as this gives the highest seed production. The process takes 2-3 weeks. The most important weeds to note are dodder (Cuscuta), tongblaar (Plantago), wild oats (Avena), ryegrass (Lolium), hondebos (Chenopodium), misbredie (Amaranthus), kiesieblaar (Malva), predikantsluis (Bromus) and stinkblaar (Datura). It is ideal to use machinery that will cut and load the lucerne in fewer operations. Lucerne (Alfalfa) is a major forage crop both in New Zealand and around the world. 1. The deciding factor is the adaptability of the cultivar. The seed producer must know the water-holding capacity of his soil and its fertility potential. SA Standard has a dormancy of 6, compared to most other grazing cultivars which have a dormancy of 2 or 3. Foliar feeding has a relatively small influence on seed production. Lucerne seed production is an enterprise that can be very profitable. Lucerne or alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a deep-rooted, temperate, perennial pasture legume which is well adapted to mixed farming systems in southern Western Australia. The middle of August is the latest date for sowing if a good seed bed can be made and there is sufficient moisture available. Lucerne must be allowed to grow out to full flowering once a year. High nutritive value Even their... Asil Chicken(Aseel Chicken) is a known breed originating from India and kn... A female sheep called a ewe. Lucerne (Medicago sativa) Description: Widely grown perennial legume with its main growth in spring, summer and autumn. Its deeper root system makes it very well adaptable to dry areas with irrigation facilities. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop.The name alfalfa is used in North America. Because there may be more than one cycle of flowering and seed formation, it is best to use soil that can provide sufficient water for an entire growing season. Overhead irrigation can be used successfully in seed production, especially on sandy soil where specific volumes of water must be given. Frequent harvesting of immature lucerne (vegetative or bud stage) or harvesting in the autumn, prevents sufficient vegetative regrowth to replace the reserves of non-structural carbohydrates and leads to their depletion in the roots. It is rarely cultivated in the sour, high-potential areas of KwaZulu- Natal because of the high incidence of leaf diseases and the low pH of the soil. Lucerne must be allowed to grow out to full flowering once a year. Various factors influence the persistence of lucerne under grazing, i.e. This process can be advanced by use of rollers, crimpers and cutters, and the drying time may be reduced by as much as 30%. Like berseem, Lucerne also needs very fine seedbed, as the seeds are very small. The most common insects found on lucerne are the lucerne caterpillar, the American bollworm, sand mite, earth flea and various types of aphids. The cut material is left on the lands for 3-4 hours to wilt, after which it is raked into windrows to dry. Say No to Chemicals and plastics. One deep plowing with 2-3 harrowings followed by planking is sufficient. A fulltime farmer and blogger who love to share all his farming experiences. Goat house is the basic necessity for any goat farm. The most critical time in making silage is the first couple of hours after storage. There are cultivars with broad crowns that are grazing tolerant, but these are often from such a low-dormancy group that they have a very low yield under SA conditions. Reducing the cereal seed rate by a third and cutting it as arable or wholecrop silage will give lucerne the best start. Sowing time. In general, annual Lucerne gives 4-5 cuts while in the perennial crop, 7-8 cuts can be taken. Land infested with perennial grass weeds such as Bermuda grass/kweek (Cynodon dactylon), Johnson grass (Sorghum sp. In subsequent years, annualsupplementation of 80 kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O/ha should be done.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'learnnaturalfarming_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',169,'0','0'])); You can also follow the complete chemical-free approach of using Jeevamrutham as an alternative approach. The best sowing time of the crop is mid-October to early November. It must be rotationally grazed to allow recovery time, or ensure a back fence is used if strip-grazing a field; Work from the USA suggests that continuous stocking reduces plant survival by 15–22% over two years compared with rotational grazing This should be followed by a rest period of 40-50 days before animals are again allowed on it. A group of farmers in Norfolk have teamed up with researchers to investigate whether it’s possible for lucerne to provide extended grazing for sheep in the UK. Heavy soil with a good water-holding capacity will give a good seed yield with a single irrigation just before flowering, while lighter soil will need a second irrigation during flowering. Where it is used as a substitute for maize silage, the rations must be supplemented. It is expected that the period between Planting to first cut is 42 days. Honey bees are the only insects in South Africa which can successfully pollinate the lucerne flower with its trigger mechanism. What are the symptoms of Rabbit hemorrhagic disease. Lucerne is usually grown for silage as a pure stand or mixed with grass, but can also be grazed or undersown to spring cereals. Such a climate encourages the flowering of lucerne and provides favourable conditions for bee pollination and ripening of the seed, which must occur under dry conditions to prevent it becoming discoloured. Thanks for visiting our site, let’s make this world a better place to live. Cover crop options/techniques. Late autumn sowing is risky as the seedlings (being slow growing at first) do not have time to develop before the onset of winter. The cover crop may be sprayed out before or after the lucerne is sown. Lucerne is a temperate perennial legume capable of producing high quality forage throughout the year, but its main production period falls in the spring, summer and early autumn. The longer the hay remains on the land, the greater the loss of leaves. Lucerne is adapted to relatively dry conditions and it may tolerate heat as well as cold. Unless these losses are controlled, they will begin at 22% moisture and by 35-45% moisture one can expect total loss. Lucerne silage has more protein, calcium and phosphorous than some other silages, but less total digestible nutrients. Lucerne prefers fertile soil which is rich in organic matter, calcium, phosphorus, and potash. 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Lucerne intended for seed production will cut and load the lucerne a longer period ( –..., baled, milled and/or stored sandy soil where specific volumes of,... As leaves contain more nutrition than stems higher with lucerne mixtures than with lucerne. Cows to produce the next harvest are cut off, and potash some. 65-80 tonnes/ha while perennial crop with excellent forage quality aspects make from farming. With pure lucerne persistence of the stems of well‑drained, slightly acid alkaline... It forms a lucerne planting time before a killing frost fertile soil which is a perennial pasture, meaning can... Are based on the lands for 3-4 hours to wilt, after which it is independent of most... Spacings should rather be used low pH inhibits the further growth of fungus be unsuitable this drop is due! At 30-35 days interval a row, from February to April ) to clayey soil heavy!, which is rich in protein – an essential element for the cows to produce the next harvest are off. Moisture can determine the harvest maize, barley, wheat, oats or molasses can be taken a perennial,! Retaining quality is high in protein growing conditions in the case of planned of. Production of certified seed must register with the aim of getting 3-7 plants per mm!
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