About this ebook
This book aims to improve the understanding of the needs of the lucerne plant, whether in a stand of lucerne or in a mixed pasture. Landholders and farm advisors are offered the opportunity to better harness lucerne as a powerhouse of quality feed and increased soil Nitrogen. Lucerne is a pasture legume and a lucerne phase has enduring benefits for improved soil fertility, and better yielding cereal crops and grass pastures which follow. In the productive but highly variable region known as the Riverina, where the author resides and works, the capacity and resilience of a pasture legume such as lucerne has been evident for decades. In the quest for a greater understanding of the lucerne plant itself, the author took a number of road trips extending from Victoria, across NSW and into Queensland where lucerne-growers shared their stories and experience.
The lucerne plant has an important role in dryland and irrigated farming systems across the diverse landscapes which make up Australia. Growing conditions are challenging on an island continent which is prone to bushfire, drought, floods, frost and pests. Lucerne however is suitable for a great many growing regions in Australia across temperate, Mediterranean and sub-tropical climates. Lucerne is highly adaptable and versatile, but also has vulnerabilities. Management of a lucerne stand is considered on a broadacre scale and this publication discusses suitable soil types, soil constraints and soil health, the management of challenges from pests, weeds and disease, pasture establishment and pasture management. Agronomic advice is offered alongside farming experiences by experienced lucerne-growers. Together this combination of knowledge and understanding tells a story about how to grow and manage lucerne successfully.
This contemporary ebook on Lucerne management is written for a target audience including existing and prospective lucerne-growers, livestock producers of sheep and cattle, mixed farmers, wheat-growers and other winter-croppers, agronomists and farm advisors, landholders in general, students of agricultural science and natural resource management, weed officers, and owners of small and large acreages looking to establish a green buffer zone around homesteads and farm infrastructure to reduce the risk from bushfires.
Table of contents
Foreword
1. Introducing Lucerne
The history of lucerne
Agronomy for lucerne
Economic importance of lucerne
Case Study 2: Hay production and mixed lucerne pastures for sheep
2. Farming Systems
Farming systems
Lucerne as an invasive or noxious weeds tool
Case Study 2: Lucerne seed production
3. Establishing Lucerne
Planning and preparing for lucerne
Establishing lucerne
Lucerne varieties and selection
Case Study 3: Lucerne in a sub-tropical pasture mix for grazing by cattle
Case Study 4: Lucerne for hay production
Further reading
4. Lucerne Management
Insect pests
Diseases of lucerne
Weed control
Fertilisers for lucerne
Case Study 5: Lucerne hay for the horse industry
5. Management practices in the paddock
Management practices
Case Study 6: Lucerne hay and lucerne chaff production
Case Study 7: Lucerne for dairy cattle
About the author
Lisa Castleman, B.Agr.Sc., Grad.Dip.Env.Law, TAE
Lisa is an agronomist with Riverina Local Land Services in Wagga Wagga. Lisa is the Course Coordinator of the Short Course Lucerne Management online, offered through Tocal College since 2015. Lisa was formerly a District Agronomist with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, based at Lockhart between 2000 and 2012, and has 30 years’ experience between NSW DPI and LLS. Lisa has always maintained an interest in perennial species such as lucerne in a dryland environment, renowned for its drought tolerance, productivity, responsiveness to rainfall and capacity to fix Nitrogen for the benefit of following crops. As a mixed farmer for 17 years, Lisa had the opportunity to grow lucerne, make mistakes and learn from others. ‘I find lucerne to be an amazing plant. However, the needs of the lucerne plant are often misunderstood; such as during prolonged periods of drought, during the management of rotational grazing, and also when it is time for the stand to be strategically removed.’