For long term productivity and persistence of lucerne stands, best practice management is to rotational graze with a minimum period of at least 35 days recovery on average (recovery periods in spring will be less due to vigorous growth). This spell period is critical as lucerne relies on stored energy in its roots to regrow.

The lucerne plant won’t start putting energy for storage back into growth until after 15-20 days following a defoliation through cutting or grazing.

Actual grazing duration should be targeted between 5-7 days until all green leaf and soft stem is removed. 

If the grazing period is too short, the crop will not be adequately utilised, and wastage occurs depending on stocking rate.

If the grazing period is too long, sheep for example, will actively graze new crown shoots once they have reached a grazeable height.

Remove remaining stubble and stems after grazing if stock pressure is low or uneaten. This allows better utilisation on next grazing or cuttings.

Different strategies and focus should be applied to lucerne stands in different seasons and climates. This includes shortening rotations to maximise yield and animal performance in spring and summer, while in autumn allowing approximately 50% flowering for root reserves to replenish for survival over winter for early spring production (longer rotation lengths).

Spring

Seasonal management (focus on stock performance)

• Start to graze the first paddock when lucerne is approximately 20-25cm high (1500kgDM/ha)
• Graze for a maximum 5-7 days until all green leaf and soft stem is removed
• Allow 35-42 days recovery (any shorter will reduce root size and stem height)

Summer

Focus on stock performance and conserving a surplus

• Short rotation, 30-35 days recovery
• Water stress accelerates flowering, but leaf is still high quality
• Conserve a true surplus (i.e. there is more lucerne available than stock demand)

Autumn

Focus on lucerne

• Plant replenishes root reserves 
• Allow a minimum of 50% of the tallest lucerne stems to have an open flower at least once from mid summer to autumn to allow root reserves to recharge before grazing
• Graze if drought is 'terminal' i.e. plants stop growing to avoid loss of leaves, then allow recovery to at least 20cm height after rain
• Long rotation, 42 days i.e. 6 weeks between grazings 
• Aphids can be an issue. These can be cleaned up in late autumn/early winter by hard grazing once growth has stopped
• Shorter day length and decreasing temperatures signal the plant to start directing energy to root reserves for stand persistence and production next spring 

Winter

Focus on management 

• Hard graze when growth stops, for example once frost stops growth
• Spray weeds before or around the shortest day, spraying later into winter and after the shortest day affects spring production 
• Resist the urge to graze regrowth after the first winter grazing, as this delays spring growth/first grazing and reduces yield
• The order in which paddocks are 'hard grazed' and then sprayed in winter dictates the order they will be ready for grazing in spring