LUCERNE AND RAIN

Shannon News, 13 January 1925, Page 1

LUCERNE AND RAIN

Experienced American growers of lucerne are practically unanimous in the assertion that it will stand more rain and still make good hay than will timothy or clover. A heavy rainfall does seem to darken and devitalise lucerne hay very rapidly. Clover turns black. So does timothy, if it gets too much rain. Lucerne turns a dull brown, but if thoroughly dried before being put in the mow, it is surprising how well the hay is relished by the cattle the next winter. In the event of rain the hay must be thoroughly dried before it is pu't in the barn, otherwise mould and sometimes even spontaneous combustion occur. It is exceedingly dangerous to store lucerne, or any other hay, wet with outside moisture such as rain or dew. Inside or internal moisture will cause heating, ‘ but it is not nearly so serious from the standpoint of moulds and heating as are the effects of outside moisture. If rain occurs just after lucerne has been cut, very little injury may occur. In fact, some cut their lucerne while it rains. All it seems to do, then, is to prolong the curing or drying process. But if rain occurs after the lucerne has been partly dried in the field and it is in the wind-rows that discolouration takes place.