Lucerne hay

[Handy Andy]

Is it easy to make, or do you have to be careful with it like with clover to avoid losing the leaf?

 

[Bury the Trash]

needs to be made quickly, and crimp conditioning is a big help, its the stems that are a devil to dry, in good weather the leaves would go in a couple of days or so iirc. pith in the stem hangs on alot longer.
swath turner would be better than hard kicking as well...

Absolutly brilliant stuff if you can make it, Putting it under plastic is Sacrildge imo..

another thing is best not to mow it too tight leave a good 4 inches of stem ir. disc mower with risers underthe bed is what i used to use

 

[Global ovine]

Is it easy to make, or do you have to be careful with it like with clover to avoid losing the leaf?

Almost all the value is in the digestibility of the leaf which is high in Protein. If you live in a reliably summer dry region with dry soils it is easy to make into hay. Mow and leave on the ground until the stalks dry. Don't rake it to dry, just turn it over with a wheel rake once ready for the baler when the morning or evening dew keeps the leaf intact.
If this looks too risky or unachievable in your region, just wrap it up once wilted into haylage. Magnificent feed for ewes in the 3rd trimester. But put salt blocks out when feeding out lucerne or grazing insitu, as it is very low in sodium.
Mow when there is flower emergence on at least one tiller. This will enhance the longevity of the plants and encourage more rapid tillering for the next cut.

 

[Handy Andy]

needs to be made quickly, and crimp conditioning is a big help, its the stems that are a devil to dry, in good weather the leaves would go in a couple of days or so iirc. pith in the stem hangs on alot longer.
swath turner would be better than hard kicking as well...

Absolutly brilliant stuff if you can make it, Putting it under plastic is Sacrildge imo..

another thing is best not to mow it too tight leave a good 4 inches of stem ir. disc mower with risers underthe bed is what i used to use
[/Q Thanks. Do the stems hang on to sap for as long as rye grass does?

 

[Handy Andy]

Almost all the value is in the digestibility of the leaf which is high in Protein. If you live in a reliably summer dry region with dry soils it is easy to make into hay. Mow and leave on the ground until the stalks dry. Don't rake it to dry, just turn it over with a wheel rake once ready for the baler when the morning or evening dew keeps the leaf intact.
If this looks too risky or unachievable in your region, just wrap it up once wilted into haylage. Magnificent feed for ewes in the 3rd trimester. But put salt blocks out when feeding out lucerne or grazing insitu, as it is very low in sodium.
Mow when there is flower emergence on at least one tiller. This will enhance the longevity of the plants and encourage more rapid tillering for the next cut.

We've got a hot dry week ahead with temperatures in the mid 20's, would that be the sort of temps you would be able to make it in down there, or do have hotter summers?

 

[deleted user 837354]

Don't cut it low whatever you do. Same with red clover. Doesn't like punishment.

 

[Bury the Trash]

@ Handy Andy

Yes pretty much, and it doesn't take much sap to spoil hay does it .
Mind you small bales would be slightly better in this respect , still leaf loss through the mechanics of baking tho I guess.

 

[Two Tone]

If you are feeding it to cows, you’ll almost see the milk running out of the bale!

 

[Global ovine]

We've got a hot dry week ahead with temperatures in the mid 20's, would that be the sort of temps you would be able to make it in down there, or do have hotter summers?

They are good temps as long as the ground is not wet so the humidity in the cut crop is not high.