THE VALUE OF LUCERNE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4881, 23 September 1925, Page 3

THE VALUE OF LUCERNE.

A GREAT FORBER. CROT. POINTS IN ITS USE. One of the most significant features of modern agricultural development is the unanimity amongst authorities as to the great value of lucerne. It is hard to find a modern work which does not contain its tribute to this great fodder crop. Thus we find Shaw, in “The Management and Feeding pf Cattle,” writing in the following way upon the very important matter pi feeding milch cows in winter : “The. ' legumes " , stand highest amongst fodders in suitability for milk production. The question ats to whether lucerne, the clovers proper, cowpeas, soy beans, and vetches will produce .the largest milk yields when fed as sole fodder has not been fully determined, but that alone, of course, must not determine which of these shall be fed. The determining factor is the ready adaptation to the conditions for growing and curing them, a*d the relatively low cost at which they may be furnished. Viewed from these standpoints lucerne would take first rank where it will grow well” on irrigated land, owing to the number of cuttings obtained yearly and the perfect condition in which it may be cured in regions with little or no rainfall. The value of lucerne for milk production is greatly Influenced by the time for cutting, and by the way in which it is cured. Lucerne should be cut for such feeding when a small percentage only of the blooms have appeared. The fodder should be secured so as to retain a green rather than a brown colour, aiid be entirely free from muistiness or mould. Thus prepared, the food would suffice without any concentrates weer the cows able to consume enough of it to ensure maximum productioxi , which they .cannot do owing to the bulkiness of the food. The amount of concentrate to be added is relatively small.”

Later he points out that the amount of grain fed as concentrate is small, seldom exceeding six pounds daily.