Lucerne (alfalfa) nutrition important
Lucerne Nutrition Important
Many farmers are turning to lucerne as a high protein feed supplement to help maintain milk production. Summer pasture and maize silage often lack adequate protein content and supplementing the feed with lucerne is becoming a popular option. Well-managed crops can achieve high yields and maintain optimum protein, fibre and energy levels.
There is a strong relationship between top yields and good nutrition as specific nutrients are critical in achieving high dry matter yield and maximum feed quality of lucerne. There is a significant nutrient removal where the crop is being baled for hay and the nutrient programme should reflect this.
Good levels of major and secondary nutrients are important but also because lucerne is a legume, attention to micro-nutrient nutrition is essential. The plant possesses microscopic root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which require an adequate supply of molybdenum to work effectively. However, in soils under pH7 molybdenum availability is reduced. Also boron, by promoting the movement of high-energy sugars and minerals such as calcium in plants, has a positive influence on the feed quality characteristics of lucerne.
Phosyn have been compiling a nutrient database on lucerne through the MEGALAB.net analysis interpretation service and this has indicated there are often deficiencies in some critical nutrients.
New Product Release
Photrel 5 is a new product for foliar application specifically developed by Phosyn for lucerne. It contains the essential secondary and micro-nutrients that the MEGALAB.net database is indicating to be in short supply.
Photrel 5 is 100% water-soluble and totally plant available and will improve nutrient levels and yield quality of lucerne. It´s recommended to be applied between cuts and the soluble powder formulation is easy to use and tank-mix compatible with a wide range of chemicals.
The Importance of Analysis
Analysis is very important as it helps identify your nutrient problems and ensures you obtain the right products to maximise both quality and yield of lucerne. MEGALAB.net interpretation is an Internet based service available exclusively from Phosyn to give their customers precise recommendations from leaf analysis. Phosyn´s unique MEGALAB.net service transforms nutrient analysis results into practical, cost effective recommendations.
Author: Michael Waites, New Zealand
Published: February 2002