Lucerne is one of the most versatile pasture and fodder options for mixed farms in the High Rainfall Zone and beyond. It’s not just a productive feed base — it’s a regenerative tool that improves soil structure, boosts fertility, and delivers reliable protein through dry seasons.
Well-managed lucerne rotations help break disease and weed cycles, build soil carbon, and provide flexibility across grazing, hay, and silage programs. It fits perfectly into integrated crop–livestock systems, where lucerne can follow cereals or serve as a productive rest phase for paddocks.
Why Lucerne Belongs on Mixed Farms
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High-value feed: Excellent source of quality protein and energy for beef, dairy, and sheep systems.
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Flexible use: Suits both hay and grazing enterprises — adaptable to seasonal conditions.
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Root depth: Accesses moisture long after shallow-rooted pastures dry off.
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Soil improvement: Restores fertility, fixes nitrogen, and opens up tight soils.
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Rotational value: Breaks weed and disease cycles, improving subsequent crop yields.
Getting the Most from Lucerne
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Soil prep: Aim for pH Ca > 5.2 and phosphorus in the “adequate” range before sowing.
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Sowing window: Spring (August–October) or early autumn when soil moisture is reliable.
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Sowing rate: 6-8 kg/ha (350-450mm rain), 12-20kg/ha (favourable dryland), 25-30kg/ha (irrigation, high rainfall)
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Inoculation: Use Group AL inoculant for reliable nodulation and nitrogen fixation.
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Grazing: Allow lucerne to flower once each season to maintain crown strength.
VARIETY SELECTION
Modern Australian-bred lucernes are built for local conditions — tough, persistent and proven under grazing. Choosing the right variety sets the foundation for a productive, profitable stand that fits your farming system.
Most current varieties are winter-active or highly winter-active, establishing fast with vigorous seedlings that suit early winter sowing. Their strong regrowth and extended cutting window deliver excellent production in the first few years, making them ideal for shorter rotations, hay or silage programs.
Winter Active Lucerne (Dormancy 5-7)
These popular 5-7 dormancy lucernes strike the best balance of flexibility and persistence. Suited to grazing or fodder production, they perform well in winter-dominant rainfall areas and make use of cool-season growth that less active types can’t capture.
Stamina Warrego GT6
Persistence meets performance.
Dormancy: 6
Stamina Warrego GT6 is the go-to for mixed grazing and fodder systems — vigorous, winter-active and tough under traffic. It hangs on where others thin out, giving consistent yield and quality across seasons.
SARDI Grazer
Made to handle hard grazing
Dormancy: 6
SARDI Grazer thrives in systems where lucerne cops a workout. It tolerates continuous or set stocking better than most, bouncing back quickly after heavy use — perfect for beef and sheep rotations needing staying power.
SARDI 7 Series 2
An all rounder lucerne
Dormancy: 7
This is the all-rounder lucerne for southern Victorian conditions — fast to establish, strong through winter, and well-balanced for grazing or hay. SARDI 7 Series 2 suits farmers who want one lucerne that does it all.
Highly Winter Active Lucerne (Dormancy 8-10)
Fast out of the ground and highly productive, these 8-10 types suit short-term stands or high-rotation fodder systems. They offer strong year-round growth but generally have a shorter lifespan of 3–4 years. Some newer lines are showing improved persistence under Australian grazing.
Stamina Torrens GT8
High output with grazing tolerance.
Dormancy: 8
Torrens GT8 pushes production further — rapid winter growth, quick recovery, and improved persistence for its class. Ideal for irrigated or high-rainfall farms chasing more cuts and feed without sacrificing stand life.
Titan 9
Fast growth, fast recovery.
Dormancy: 9
Titan 9 brings together rapid establishment, quick bounce-back, and high-quality feed. Ideal for dairy and intensive beef systems where rotation speed and total output drive profit.
SARDI 10 Series 2
Built for full-throttle production.
Dormancy: 10
Highly winter-active, fast to regrow, and unmatched in yield potential. SARDI 10 Series 2 delivers top-end performance for silage or hay systems — perfect when every tonne counts.
Common / Public Lucerne Varieties
Aurora 6
An older, proven winter-active lucerne known for dependable hay yields and good persistence under moderate grazing.
Hunter River
The traditional Australian standard; easy to establish and widely adapted, but less pest-resistant and shorter-lived than modern types.
Hunterfield
A hardy selection from Hunter River with improved disease resistance and slightly stronger winter activity for longer-term stands.
Trifecta
A modern, winter-active performer combining high yield with strong pest and disease resistance for reliable hay and grazing production.
Sequel
A versatile semi-dormant variety offering good persistence and quality feed, suited to both dryland and irrigated lucerne systems.
Siriver
A widely grown, winter-active all-rounder with excellent establishment and consistent hay quality under varied conditions.
Sceptre
A persistent, disease-resistant lucerne delivering excellent leaf retention and feed quality for both grazing and hay programs.
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