Lucerne Growers Guide - British Seed Houses

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Crop managementPests and diseasesKey points in lucerne persistency:• Select a variety suited to UK conditions (page 10)• Monitor pests and diseases and take prompt action to control (page 7)• Fertilise to replace nutrient off take (page 4)• Allow plants to flower once a year; this ensures storage of nutrients in thetap root to improve winter hardiness and boost spring growth• Allow a minimum of 4-5 weeks between cuts• Cut when 10% of flowers are showing (early bud stage)• Aim for an optimum cutting height of 7cm and never cut below 5cm• Avoid late cuts, particularly in wet years and when early autumn frostsare a threat• Manage to avoid soil capping and do not allow grazing livestock to poachand damage to the crown• Do not drive over the crop in wet conditionsWith good establishment and subsequent management, lucerne should persist for4 – 6 years.The choice of agrochemicals to control pests and diseases in lucerne is limitedand – unless tramlines are used – opportunities to enter the actively growing cropwill be limited. It is therefore important to ensure good establishment practice,to monitor growing crops closely and to seek specialist agronomy advice if cropsare challenged.The use of a cover or nurse crop can increase the incidence of attack from slugs,Sitona weevil pupae, and leatherjackets, particularly when growing conditions areunfavourable and the crop is ‘smothered’.Common pests and diseases of lucernePEST / DISEASESlugsSitona weevil larvaeand leatherjacketsCOMMENTSCan be a problem at establishment. Monitor and use slug pellets if necessary.Can cause damage to shoots in early establishment phase. Consult an agronomistregarding spray control options.Slurry should not be applied to lucerne in the seeding year as young plants are veryvulnerable to mechanical damage.Spring sown lucerne should produce a light cut by mid-August whilst crops sown inthe summer will produce their first cut by the following June.Nitrogen is not required once rhizobial fixation has been established.EelwormAphidsVerticillium wiltInfestations of the soil can cause persistency problems. More common on heaviersoils. Choose resistant varieties where a threat is possible. Cut infested fields last.A potential problem in established crops. Consult an agronomist if theproblem is suspected.Leaves wilt on warm days and become blotchy with yellow or brown markings;they eventually die leaving bare green stems.Choose resistant varieties as thereare no current chemical control options.Weed Control:Several herbicides are approved for use on lucerne, including propyzamide andcarbetamide. They should be applied to an established crop during the winterdormancy period and are effective on grass and some broad leaved weeds, withsome residual control into the spring. There are also some ‘Extension of Authorisationof Use’ for Fusilade Max for example, a contact herbicide for grass weeds.Always consult a BASIS qualified advisor on matters relating to the use ofagrochemicals to control weeds, pests or diseases.6 • LUCERNE GROWER’S GUIDELUCERNE GROWER’S GUIDE • 7
Cutting, grazing and feeding lucerneLucerne has an erect growing habit and is therefore primarily a silage crop becausethe frequent defoliation and the potential for poaching resulting from grazing aredetrimental to crop survival.Lucerne cutting regimesCROPPING SYSTEM AGE OF CROP OPTIMUM CUTTNG DATESPure lucerne orlucerne/grass mixturesLucerne undersown tospring cerealCutting best practice• Ideally use a drum mower and avoid aggressive conditioning and preventexcessive loss of leaf material (70% of protein and 90% of minerals/vitaminsare in the leaf).• Cut to a minimum stubble height of 7cm to avoid damage to the crown(growing point) and create good air flow under the swath to aid drying.• Cut in the morning just as the dew leaves the crop to maximise drying time.• Turn the crop where it lies but do not spread it.Ensiling best practice• Lucerne can be clamped or baled, but bales tend to be favoured for quality ofthe forage and greater flexibility when feeding.• Aim for a target dry matter of 30-40% for clamp silage and 50% for bales.• Chop to 3-4cm and roll well in the clamp.• For bales, wilt to 40 – 60% dry matter and ensure at least four layers of plasticto minimise the risk of stems piercing the wrap.• Always use an additive as lucerne is low in sugars.8 • LUCERNE GROWER’S GUIDESpring sown, year of sowingSummer sown, year of sowingSummer sown, following yearSecond year onwardsYear of sowingFollowing yearOne cut in mid-August.No cutting.Cut first in the spring after the crop is inbud, and then follow regime as below.Cut at first flower bud stage (April – mid-May) and follow with up to four cuts in aseason (4-5 week intervals).Final cut not later than mid-September.Allow the crop to flower at least once,to ensure nutrients are stored in thetap root.Cut when cereal grains are milky.Cut first in the spring after the crop is inbud, and then follow regime as above.Grazing best practice• Grazing can reduce persistency so great care must be taken not to damagethe crown• Stock must be controlled by an electric fence not only to limit access but toprevent back-grazing of regrowth.• It is a good idea to rotationally graze lambs before ewes so that younganimals select the more nutritious growth.• Graze lucerne rotationally with 5-6 week intervals.• Graze priority stock classes first, to maximise their uptake of the leaves(where most of the feed value is contained).• Only graze lightly in the autumn (after the crop has stopped growing) tominimise damage.• Manage carefully to minimise the risk of bloat:• Feed roughage (e.g. hay) before turning onto lucerne.• Avoid turning animals onto lucerne when hungry.• Take extra care when crops are particularly lush (spring or autumn)and/or wet with dew.• Alternate lucerne grazing with grass grazing.• Use anti-bloat drenches or rumen bullets if necessary.Yields and Feed QualityLucerne is a palatable protein-rich forage, high in fibre, and an ideal supplementin mixed rations. It is good complementary forage to high energy feedstuffs suchas maize.FEED CRITERIA VALUE COMMENTSFresh yieldDry matter yieldDry matterCrude proteinD-valueMEVitamins35 – 50 tonnes/ha/yr10 – 15 tonnes/ha/yr30-40%18-24%70%9-11 MJ/kgDMA, B, C and EYields will persist for 4 – 6 yearswith the correct management50% if ensiled in big balesGood complement forenergy-rich rationsRich in vitamins and mineralsdue to deep tap rootLUCERNE GROWER’S GUIDE • 9
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Lucerne Growers Guide - British Seed Houses

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