High-protein forage | Deep-rooted resilience | Multi-year production
Lucerne, also known as alfalfa, is temperate perennial legume capable
of producing high quality forage throughout the year.
It is commonly known for it’s high-quality, protein-rich legume pastures, widely used for grazing and hay productions. It’s a valuable forage crop due to its high nutritive value and ability to improve soil nitrogen levels. Lucerne pastures are particularly useful in wheat-sheep zones and can be grown in both rain-fed and irrigated conditions. Lucerne, like all legumes, obtains its nitrogen from the air with the help of bacteria (Rhizobia) that form nodules on the roots. On old lucerne
plants nodules are usually difficult to find, as they occur on fine roots. Nodules on inoculated seedlings at the three- or four-leaf stage should be easily visible clustered on the main root just below ground level. Effective nodules are pink inside. Plants that nodulate without the addition of inoculant tend to develop more widely scattered nodules. The nodule-forming bacteria live on nutrients from the plant. In return, they provide nitrogen in a form the plant can use.
✅ Why Lucerne?
Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is one of Australia’s most valuable pasture legumes, known for:
- High nutritional value – excellent protein (18–25%) and energy levels
- Deep root system – ideal for drought resilience and summer production
- Multi-year productivity – persists for 3–7 years under good management
- Nitrogen fixation – improves soil fertility and boosts following crops
- Versatile grazing & fodder – suitable for grazing, hay, or silage
Economic Gains:
Economic gains stem from both improved livestock production and increases in the yield and quality of subsequent cereal crops. Savings in application of nitrogenous fertilisers to subsequent crops and benefits to weed control too.
📍 Best Suited For:
- Livestock systems: cattle, sheep, and mixed enterprises
- Regions: temperate to Mediterranean climates
- Soils: well-drained, pH 5.5+ (CaCl₂), low in aluminium
Soil Conditions:
Lucerne will grow on a variety of soils, but does best on deep, well-drained soils of medium to light texture where the pH (Ca) of the topsoil lies between 5.5/6 and 7.0, with very low levels of exchangeable aluminium in the soil (less than
5 per cent). For best results, a good supply of calcium is also required. Established lucerne tolerates saline soils
moderately well, but seedlings are less tolerant.
Because of this tolerance it has a role in reclamation of slightly saline areas by lowering watertables.
Direct Drilling Lucerne:
Sowing lucerne into an existing pasture is possible. This normally involves preventing competitive annual weeds from seeding in the spring and controlling pasture growth until the autumn. Sowing is best done with a minimum disturbance machine and the seedlings managed to ensure establishment.
Why Direct Drill Lucerne?
1. Protects Soil Structure
- No-till avoids soil inversion, helping retain organic matter, improve water infiltration, and maintain beneficial microbial life.
- Minimizes erosion risks, especially on sloping or fragile land.
2. Saves Time and Fuel
- Reduces the number of passes over paddocks, cutting fuel, labour, and machinery wear costs.
- Enables faster turnaround from decision to sowing — critical when planting windows are tight.
3. Improves Moisture Conservation
- Less soil disturbance means less evaporation, helping seeds access stored soil moisture — essential in Australia’s often dry conditions.
4. Reduces Weed Pressure
- Leaving residues on the surface can suppress weed germination and reduce reliance on herbicides.
🌾 Lucerne Establishment Tips
- Sow in autumn or spring (with moisture)
- Ideal sowing depth: 5–15 mm
- Row spacing: (tighter for grazing, wider for hay)
- Sow rate:depending on use & rainfall
- Seed placement: precision counts — use disc seeders for accurate depth, especially in no-till systems.
Four main factors determine sowing time:
1. Moisture: enough moisture must be available for germination and seedling development in the spring
2. Temperature: there must be enough time for a strong seedling to develop before frosts and low temperatures or hot, dry weather sets in.
3. Competition: competition from weeds and cover crop (if used) must be low.
4. Companion species: consider the sowing requirements of a companion crop (if used) and companion pasture species.
💡 Lucerne Pasture Management
- Grazing: start once plants resist pull test (6–8 weeks post-emergence)
- Rest periods: critical for persistence — allow regrowth to 20–25 cm
- Rotational grazing boosts longevity and reduces risk of bloat
- Weed & pest control: monitor for red-legged earth mites, aphids, and broadleaf weeds in establishment year
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Seedling Establishment
- Direct drilling can lead to slower initial emergence due to less soil disturbance.
- Mitigate this by precise seed placement, timely sowing, and good weed control.
Compaction & Hardpans
- Persistent hardpans or compacted layers can inhibit root growth.
- Consider strategic ripping or aeration in problem areas before direct drilling.
Seedbed Residues
- Heavy crop residues can interfere with seed placement and soil contact.
- Use drills capable of handling residues or reduce residue loads pre-sowing with grazing or mowing.
🌦️ Lucerne & Drought Resilience
Lucerne’s deep roots (up to 3m) make it a key asset for summer feed gaps and tough seasons. While it slows in cold winters, it shines in spring and summer, providing feed when other pastures fade.
With the right preparation, equipment, and management, direct drilling lucerne is a powerful tool for Australian livestock producers aiming to maximise pasture performance and farm profitability.
Disclaimer: This content is a general summary of publicly available research and has been edited with the assistance of AI. It is not agronomy advice. Always seek professional, site-specific guidance before making farming or agronomic decisions.
References;
- https://drylandpastures.com/frequently-asked-questions/faq-lucerne-establishment/
- https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/pastures/Html/Lucerne.htm
- https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/164737/p2225pt1.pdf
- https://rangelandsgateway.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/Plant_the_Seed.pdf
- https://www.agricom.co.nz/management-advice/pasture-management/lucerne/lucerne-establishment