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 GT5
The ultimate choice for grazing tolerant lucerne
Stamina® GT5 lucerne is an outstanding semi dormant lucerne that offers flexibility and excellent quality. Stamina GT5 has stood out during extreme testing as the outstanding lucerne for grazing tolerance which gives confidence that Stamina GT5 will handle many management regimes and come out sound and continue to be a productive stand of lucerne
Stamina GT6
The first grazing tolerant lucerne for the Australian market
Stamina® GT6 combines useful winter growth, great persistence and the ability to tolerate set stocking of sheep. It provides excellent yield and quality during warmer growing months. Stamina GT6 was the first lucerne released for Australian farmers trialled under the internationally recognised Standard Test Protocol for grazing tolerant lucernes.
Torrens GT8
Grazing tolerant lucerne
Torrens GT8 is the first grazing tolerant, highly winter active lucerne to be released to the Australian market that has been trialled under the Internationally recognised Standard Test Protical for grazing tolerant lucerne. This product was selected from highly winter active survivors in grazing tolerance trials at Leigh Creek (Victoria) and Gundagai (New South Wales). With a high leaf to stem ratio and fine stems it produces high quality forage for premium hay production or grazing.
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 GT5
The ultimate choice for grazing tolerant lucerne
Stamina® GT5 lucerne is an outstanding semi dormant lucerne that offers flexibility and excellent quality. Stamina GT5 has stood out during extreme testing as the outstanding lucerne for grazing tolerance which gives confidence that Stamina GT5 will handle many management regimes and come out sound and continue to be a productive stand of lucerne
Stamina GT6
The first grazing tolerant lucerne for the Australian market
Stamina® GT6 combines useful winter growth, great persistence and the ability to tolerate set stocking of sheep. It provides excellent yield and quality during warmer growing months. Stamina GT6 was the first lucerne released for Australian farmers trialled under the internationally recognised Standard Test Protocol for grazing tolerant lucernes.
Torrens GT8
Grazing tolerant lucerne
Torrens GT8 is the first grazing tolerant, highly winter active lucerne to be released to the Australian market that has been trialled under the Internationally recognised Standard Test Protical for grazing tolerant lucerne. This product was selected from highly winter active survivors in grazing tolerance trials at Leigh Creek (Victoria) and Gundagai (New South Wales). With a high leaf to stem ratio and fine stems it produces high quality forage for premium hay production or grazing.
