Integrating lucerne into the pasture system

2009 - 2012
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) N/A
Year(s) 2009 - 2012
Contributor Perennial Pasture Systems
Trial location(s) Mooney's Gap, VIC
Integrating lucerne into the pasture system locations
Aims

To test the viability of establishing lucerne pastures in areas where they have not been traditionally grown.

Key messages
  • The use of Lucerne in the Upper Wimmera catchment and similar areas can be extended away from traditional areas such as river and creek flats.
  • Introduction of lucerne into grazing systems lengthens the period of available green feed and can allow for enterprise change such as adding a lamb finishing operation to the farm business.
  • Sowing time of lucerne is best suited to late winter.
  • Soil testing is important to test for nutrient deficiencies and pH prior to lucerne establishment. Adequate lime and fertiliser should be applied to address deficiencies prior to establishment. Attention must be paid to ensuring that aluminium levels are suitable for lucerne production prior to sowing.
  • A sub soil pH test should be taken to ensure that there are no acidity or aluminium toxicity issues at depth which could affect the lucerne plants as their roots penetrate the sub soil.
  • Weed control is of critical importance before and during the establishment phase of lucerne pastures.
  • Sowing depth of lucerne is important to allow an even germination. Care should be taken not to sow seed too deeply. The seed should be covered by 1 – 2 cm of soil, ensuring good soil contact.
  • Control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds is of critical importance during the life of the lucerne stand if maximum production is to be achieved.
  • A suitable fertiliser regime including the use of potash needs to be applied to replace nutrients removed by the lucerne system.
  • Lucerne pastures can produce high quality hay which can enhance the farm’s production system if kept on farm.
Lead research organisation Perennial Pasture Systems
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source Caring for our Country
Trial funding source DEPIVic
Related program EverGraze
Acknowledgments

PPS wishes to acknowledge the following people for their assistance throughout the project:

  • Cam Conboy Gorst Rural, Lake Bolac (formerly Seedmark) – consultant agronomist
  • Jane Court DEPI Seymour and Pamela Lawson Wagga NSW - Case study 3 authors
  • Gill Fry Network SW, Morgiana – Evergraze consultant
  • PPS members Paul & Dennis Harrington, Steven Start – pasture contract services
  • Paul Harrington, Mt Cole Creek – PPS liaison
  • Kelly Johnson Gorst Rural, Lake Bolac (formerly Landmark) – agronomic assistance
  • Anita Morant DPI Hamilton - EverGraze South West coordinator
  • Patrick Murphy, Ballarat – Executive Officer CHAF
  • Laurie Norman, Learmonth – former Executive Officer CHAF
Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Hay: Lucerne
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
Trial type
Trial design

Mooney's Gap 2009

Sow rate or Target density 8kg/ha
Sowing machinery

The Lucerne pasture was direct drilled into a barley stubble with a Seamoto disc seeder by Rinaldi Contracting Carisbrook Vic on the 18th of May 2009.

Sow date 18 May 2009
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Herbicide
  • PRE SOWING WEED CONTROL – 1 l/ha roundup powermax™ + 75 ml/ha goal
  • WEED CONTROL AT SOWING – 1 l/ha treflan™+250 ml/ha dual gold.
  • SOWN – 19/5/09 – 8kg/ha Gaucho™ coated Genesis Lucerne + 100 kg/ha MAP
  • RLEM CONTROL – 16/6/09 -320 ml/ha Alphasip™
  • ANNUAL WEED CONTROL – 23/7/09 – 500 ML/HA Select™, 50 ml/ha Verdict™ 520 with 1l/100l Liase™ & 500 ml/100l Uptake™
  • CAPEWEED CONTROL – 15/9/09 – 90g/ha Spinnaker™, 2.5 l/ha Butress™ with 200 ml/100l LI700™.
Soil amelioration

PRE SOWING - 2.5 t/ha lime, 0.5 t/ha gypsum

Mooney's Gap 2010

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sowing machinery Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Mooney's Gap 2011

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sowing machinery Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Mooney's Gap 2012

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sowing machinery Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Mooney's Gap, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Mooney's Gap, VIC Sodosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Mooney's Gap VIC
2012 531.0mm
2011 569.9mm
2010 613.8mm
2009 583.0mm
2008 565.9mm
2007 550.0mm
2006 540.6mm
2005 583.3mm
2004 521.4mm
2003 504.9mm
2002 445.8mm
2001 487.9mm
2000 493.4mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Mooney's Gap VIC

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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.



Trial last modified: 14-01-2020 11:21am AEST