Description
Wilpena Sulla is an alternative to lucerne with summer dormancy, Wilpena is a dual purpose variety that is recommended for producers who are looking for intensive forage operations, either for feedlot (cut and carry) or as conserved silage. Wilpena has a high yield potential and is highly palatable, with excellent forage quality leading to outstanding animal performance. Wilpena is non-bloating and has reputed anthelmintic qualities which may reduce worm burdens. It also has the potential to fix high levels of nitrogen.
Wilpena Sulla is recommended as a specialist crop in both cropping rotation and/or pasture systems. In terms of productivity, it is more productive than persian clover or red clover and allows for a shorter rotation than lucerne.
- Ready to graze in 90-120 days
- Has the ability to grow large amounts of high quality feed
- Long day dormancy means that it has lower water requirements during summer months
- Can be cut for silage or hay
Wilpena sulla is a branching, erect plant that has the potential to grow as high as 1.6m, but will commonly grow between 0.3m to 1m. Wilpena has a deep branching taproot that allows the plant to source moisture and nutrients from deep within the soil profile. It’s this root system that also gives Wilpena an extended growth period during late spring and early summer prior to the plant shutting down and going dormant during the hot summer months.
Grazing management of Wilpena Sulla
Wilpena has been bred to be more upright in its growth habit and as a result is best suited to produce high quality forage; either silage or hay. Wilpena can be grazed, but correct management needs to be implemented to get the most out of Wilpena as well as ensuring stand survival.
Wilpena is best managed with rotational grazing. Grazing intervals will vary from 35 to 85 days depending on moisture, day length and soil temperature. It is advisable that in the first year, Wilpena should be lightly grazed to ensure good root establishment and second year plant density
