Target 10 Communicator
February 2011 Edition
IRRIGATED LUCERNE IN A DAIRY SYSTEM WORKSHOPS
As a part of the ‘Helping Dairy Farmers Secure Their Water Future’ project, the Department of Primary Industries would like to invite you to attend an Irrigated Lucerne in a Dairy System Workshop.
The workshop will improve participant’s understanding of how irrigated lucerne may complement their desired or current forage system, by outlining the benefits and risks associated with irrigated lucerne. This will assist participants to make better decisions about the extent to which they should include irrigated lucerne in their forage mix, if at all.
In recent years many people have recognised the desirable attributes of irrigated lucerne including persistency, high yields, feed quality, water use efficiency, summer growth pattern, drought tolerance and less frequent irrigation requirement.
However, there are also some concerns and risks associated with irrigated lucerne such as establishment costs, paddock suitability (soil type, drainage, irrigation infrastructure), grazing (animal health issues and plant damage), conservation costs, growth pattern, susceptibility to water logging and pests, and the risk that it will only persist for one to two years.
These ‘pros and cons’ will be discussed in detail at the workshops to assist participants to make a more considered decision about the role of irrigated lucerne in their own forage system.
Afterwards, lucerne expert Mary-Anne Lattimore from the NSW Department of Industry and Investment will outline the best management practices to ensure that lucerne is given its best chance to be highly productive once included into your forage system. This will include discussion on preparation and establishment, as well as management of the lucerne stand.
There are two workshops:
Tuesday 8 March in Katunga – Recreation Reserve; and
Wednesday 9 March in Kyabram – Wilf Cox Community Complex.
Each session will run from 10.30am – 2pm, with lunch provided.
An RSVP is appreciated but not essential.
Please contact Nathan Shannon on 0417 141 023 for more information.
