K.F. LOWE¹, B.L. BARTHOLOMEW² and T.M. BOWDLER¹

¹Queensland Department of Primary Industries, P.O Box 96, Ipswich, Qld. 4305.
²Queensland Department of Primary Industries, P.O. Box 245, Gatton, Qld. 4343.

Abstract

The ability of aphid-resistant lucerne cultivars to produce hay has been the subject of considerable debate. While small-plot cutting experiments satisfactorily evaluate the growth potential of cultivars, they are not able to evaluate their hay-making capabilities. An unreplicated investigation was conducted over a 4-year period to assess the production and hay quality of 8 cultivars. Sufficiently large areas were sown to each cultivar (0.22 ha) so that commercial equipment could be used for hay making and irrigation.
Trifecta produced 17 t/ha more hay over the 4 years than Hunter River, and made hay which generally was of similar quality. Only in mid winter was its hay of slightly lower quality than that of Hunter River. However, it was not as badly downgraded as that produced by some highly winter-active cultivars. There was little difference in hay yield between the other cultivars or a mixture of 7 cultivars. Most cultivars made prime quality hay in the period of active growth (September to April).