Pasture type and use | Winter/spring growing annual legume. Dryland grazing and crop rotation. |
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Area of adaptation | Mainly in the North West, Central West and South West Plains, and on neutral to alkaline pH soils on the slopes. |
Min. average annual rainfall | 275 mm (southern NSW) to 400 mm (northern NSW). |
Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Range of soil types, from sandy loams to heavy clays. Prefer neutral to alkaline soils. Will not tolerate soils with pH(Ca) < 5.0 or exchangeable soil aluminium >5%. |
Varieties | Select varieties on the basis of maturity, adaptation to soil type, hard-seed level, aphid resistance, yield and persistence (where data available).
* Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. |
Sowing rates | as only species: 3-6 kg/ha in mixtures: 2 kg/ha |
Sowing time | Autumn for all districts. |
Companion species | Sub clover, lucerne (in appropriate soil types). |
Inoculation | Medic (or group AM). |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Usually phosphorus, sulfur in some areas, occasionally zinc and molybdenum. |
Main insect pests | Redlegged earth mite, blue oat mite, lucerne flea, spotted alfalfa aphid, bluegreen aphid, pea aphid. |
Main diseases | Root rot, alfalfa mosaic virus, phoma. |
Management | Once established can be continuously grazed. Avoid overgrazing at seed-set in initial year to build seed reserves. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | Photosensitisation in horses; occasionally red gut in sheep; frequently bloat in cattle. |
Additional tips |
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Further information |
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Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.