Lucerne

Lucerne or Alfalfa is a perennial legume. It is best grown in areas of high sunshine hours and high average temperatures. Its erect growth habit makes it easy to cut for conservation for hay or silage and for green crop drying, producing a high quality feed product. Seed rates are around 17 to 20kg/ha and the seed usually needs to be treated with a Lucerne innoculant. The varieties Symphonie and Concerto are from the french breeder, Florimond Desprez, and have been widely used in the UK for a number of years.