Cows love Landmark Lucerne

2006 was an extremely testing year for grassland farmers. The drought conditions through the summer saw many livestock farmers desperate for green matter as traditional ryegrass based pastures ceased to produce. Those on drought prone soils have already been seeking alternative ways of bolstering summer grass production which inevitably means using other species of grass and legume for forage production in dry times.

Jonathan Singleton of Ranscombe Farm, near New Arlesford in Hampshire, was well aware of the drought problems caused on his chalky, light soils. In spring 2006, Jonathan took advice from Martin Attwell, local agent for Oliver Seeds and sowed a mix of Lucerne and grasses formulated to deal with dry conditions.

Lucerne is a specialist type with a deeply placed root collar that enables the plant to withstand rotational grazing. When grown in a mix with grasses, the animals have an excellent balance of high protein from Lucerne and high energy and sugar from the grasses. When cows grazed the field, milk yields increased and the animals were always keen to return to the crop over standard ryegrass fields.

The only problem was 160 cows and only 7 acres of Landmark Lucerne, but as the season went on and the summer drought took effect, there was a marked difference in the growth comparison between the new Landmark and other ryegrass leys. "The Landmark kept growing and the cows loved the herbage," commented Mr. Singleton.

"In Hampshire on loam over chalk, it is important to plan for low rainfall and drought conditions," said Dairy specialist Martin Attwell. "With an average of 8,500 litres, the Holsteins at Ranscombe Farm need plenty of forage all year round. They are currently recording 4,200 litres from forage which is very good indeed."

Rod Bonshor, General Manager for Oliver Seeds commented, "We know that farmers will need more diverse species to cope with the effects of climate change on their grass fields. The Landmark Lucerne mix proved very successful in 2006 with the added benefit of savings on fertiliser as little or no bagged Nitrogen is needed. We also have a Landmark Dryland mix featuring new, extremely palatable types of Cocksfoot and Festulolium that will resolve the lack of summer grazing material on farm."

Full growers guidelines and details are available from Oliver Seeds on 0800 056 11 22, email enquiries@oliver-seeds.co.uk or visit the website: www.oliver-seeds.co.uk