Summer grazing management of lucerne
Derrick Moot talks about summer grazing of lucerne (alfalfa) at Lincoln University as drought conditions are developing in this short video (approx. 3 minutes).
Lucerne
Putting a price on lucerne
With drought conditions developing along the east coast we thought maybe we would throw some numbers out to put a price on how lucerne can transform dryland farming systems. Here, at Lincoln, the 2014/15 rainfall for the Jul-Dec period is about 170 mm – or about half what is expected over the same period in … Read more
Set stocking lucerne in early spring – the stuff you need to know
Posted on behalf of Prof. Derrick Moot This grazing management is based on new research out of Lincoln University. It is recommended ONLY for farmers with a large proportion (>40%) of their properties in lucerne who require greater areas to lamb on in early spring and who already follow the optimum rotational grazing management system … Read more
Upcoming Dryland Pastures Seminar – Marlborough 28 August
Professor Derrick Moot will be in Blenheim on Thursday 28th August. Come and get first hand the latest information of Dryland Pasture Research from Lincoln University. Please pass on the invite to your neighbours/colleagues. Further details below. Coffee/tea on arrival and supper to follow. Please RSVP by Sunday August 24th for catering purposes to Warwick Lissaman at: Email: … Read more
Resurrecting a mid-age flood damaged lucerne stand
Post prepared by Prof. Moot, summer scholar Rebekah Brosnahan and Anna Mills Many dryland regions of New Zealand experience heavy winter rainfall that can cause periodic waterlogging in paddocks. Lucerne is more sensitive than ryegrass under flooding and this is sometimes cited as a reason not to sow lucerne in a paddock. However, after a … Read more
Spring stock rotations on Lucerne paddocks at Bonavaree
It’s been a successful spring at Bonavaree! Early spring had been fairly wet and so early spring growth was relatively slow. Although soil conditions are now perfection for Lucerne, and Fraser had seen a notable shift in gear in the lucerne stands, with a flush of feed evident. See photos below of Jeffries Front Flat … Read more
Lambing on Lucerne – Year 2
We have just completed our second season of lambing on lucerne, and as Derrick said “things just keep getting better and better”… We realised after our our first experience last year that the length of time the ewes were set stocked for lambing was compromising the management of the lucerne, so this year we scanned … Read more
Management of lucerne stands under aphid attack
Posted on behalf of Prof. Derrick Moot After mild winters, aphid numbers can build rapidly so check stands regularly. There are at least three species of aphids that can cause problems in different weather conditions so be vigilant. Check the top of plants where the leaves are compact and emerging. If none are present sweep … Read more
Spring Management of Lucerne
Posted on behalf of Prof. Derrick Moot Recent trips from South Canterbury to Marlborough highlight several emerging issues for lucerne in this early spring. The particularly high (>200 mm) rainfall in June and subsequently warm winter temperatures have combined to create unusual circumstances. Here, Derrick outlines some of the problems and solutions to consider over … Read more
Lambing onto Lucerne Jeffries Front Flat
The last couple of months have been an episode of extremes at Bonavaree; record weather highs and lows, destructive gales, and to top it off several major earthquakes! Firstly…the weather: June was cold, wet and cloudy (it broke several records according to NIWA – see summary table below) and then July was completely opposite in … Read more