Grazing tolerance and winter activity, the ultimate combination for grazing or hay production

Torrens GT8 (of the Stamina^® range) is the first grazing tolerant highly winter active lucerne to be released to the Australian market. This product was selected from highly winter active survivors in grazing tolerance trials at Leigh Creek (VIC) and Gundagai (NSW). With a high leaf to stem ratio and fine stems, it produces high quality forage for premium hay production or grazing.

Sowing rate (sole): 5-25kg/ha
Sowing rate (mixed): 2-8kg/ha

Breeding

Torrens GT8 was selected from highly winter active survivors in grazing tolerance trials at Leigh Creek (VIC) and Gundagai (NSW). 

Developing grazing tolerant lucernes for Australia’s dryland farms took nearly two decades and was a collaboration between DLF Seeds (operating as PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia at the time) and CalWest in the USA. Screening was conducted in Australia by DLF Seeds (operating as PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia at the time) who evaluated 24 advanced lines in trials that ran for 7 years. Plots were grazed for two 10 month periods at a stocking rate of 40 sheep/ha equivalent.

The original Stamina^® lucerne varieties were selected as ‘best of the best’ in these ultra-rigorous evaluations. As a result of this, the highly winter active survivors (such as Torrens GT8) were then re-selected from and tested under another grazing tolerance trial from 2011-2014 in Ballarat.

Torrens GT8: Lucerne trial analysis 

• Torrens GT8 had higher ground cover in years 2 and 3 compared to all dormancy 7-10 varieties and some dormancy 6 varieties. Torrens GT8 also maintained 40% ground cover after 8 years of hard grazing
• Torrens GT8 ground cover was 40.8% higher than Aurora after the first set stocking period in 2014
• Torrens GT8 had a ground cover percentage of 62.5% after 2 years of the grazing tolerance trial continuing as a viable lucerne stand
• After 8 years Torrens GT8 remained a standout in the highly winter active category maintaining a ground cover of 42%, demonstrating a viable dryland lucerne stand in comparison to other highly winter active varieties
• Torrens GT8 had higher ground cover in years 2 and 3 compared to all dormancy 7-10 varieties and some dormancy 6 varieties

Dormancy

Highly winter active (8-10): Good winter growth with an upright growth habit. Vigorous at establishment and fast recovery from cutting or grazing. High production for at least 5 years, making them a great option in cropping rotations. Strict rotational grazing management is required as highly winter active (8-10) lucerne varieties are comparatively less tolerant to grazing than semi winter dormant (5) and winter active (6-7) lucerne.

Torrens GT8 however provides growers with increased persistence compared to traditional highly winter active varieties due to its grazing tolerance and below ground budding trait.

Sowing and establishment

For full sowing and establishment information, click here.

Grazing management

To discover information on lucerne grazing management, click here.