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Australian Lucerne Company
What is extra Lucerne yield
or quality worth to you?
The following figures will clearly vary from area to area based on the local dry matter production
figures, the cost of nitrogen fertilizer, and the price paid for lucerne hay. But they give you an idea
of the potential returns from improved variety performance.
If we assume an average dryland yield of approximately 5 tonne of dry matter
(DM) production over the full year (hay and grazing)
A 5% yield advantage
= an extra 250 kg of DM per hectare per annum
= $62 / Ha / annum (if lucerne hay is worth $250 per tonne)
= $187 per hectare over a 3 year crop rotation
Plus, this 5% yield advantage also results in additional
nitrogen fixed by the crop at a rate of 20 to 25 Kg of nitrogen
per tonne of dry matter production
TM
LIFE
G
LON
Extra 250 Kg dry matter
= 6 Kg (approx) extra N per hectare per annum
= $70 / ha over 3 years (if Urea costs $540 per tonne)
This gives a total extra return of approximately $210 per hectare over
3 years for a leading variety like L91 or Q75.
For an average 20 hectare lucerne paddock (over 3 years)
The L91 Advantage
= $3,940 over SARDI 10 (based on extra yield and nitrogen)
What about an improvement in forage quality?
Higher quality hay attracts a price premium that varies from approximately $25
per tonne in large square bales to over $100 per tonne in small squares. Based on
a $25 premium and 5 tonnes of dryland hay production:Forage quality
= $125 per Hectare per annum (from higher hay pricing)
= $375 / Ha over a 3 year stand or $625 over 5 years
Turn over to the “Lucerne variety performance Calculator” and input
your own local production figures and prices, and calculate the
potential “extra value” that Seed Distributors lucerne varieties
deliver in your area from a small investment in additional seed cost
based on the proven yield advantages listed in the table over the
page.
14 -16 Hakkinen Road, Wingfield, SA 5013
Phone (08) 8445 1111 Fax (08) 8445 7777 www.seeddistributors.com.au
Lucerne variety performance calculator
To calculate the potential return from a change of lucerne variety on your farm, simply follow the
calculations below to see how the returns stack up.
Seed costs
Look at these yield comparisons
Select the varieties from the table below:
L56
Compared to
Yield %
Advantage
Kaituna
1%
L91
Compared to
Yield %
Advantage
SARDI 10
5%
L90
4%
Q75
Compared to
Yield %
Advantage
Aquarius
5%
54Q53
Compared to
Yield %
Advantage
WL342HQ
5%
Cost of Seed of existing variety
$ ________ per Kg
Cost of Seed of new________ (variety)
$ ________ per Kg
Difference in Seed Price $ ________ per Kg
X Sowing Rate ________Kg / Ha = extra $ ________ per Ha (A)
Yield calculation
Source: Pasture Genetics Research data 48 plot cuts,
3 years: Penfield (07-10)
Annual Dry Matter Production (budget)
________ MT / Ha
X Yield advantage for new variety ________ %
= extra _____ MT lucerne
X Local Price for Lucerne Hay (delivered) $ ________ per tonne
= extra $ ________ per Ha (B)
Return from extra yield over area to be sown
Area to be sown to lucerne Kg/Day Weight Gain
Extra Income from new variety ((B) x (C)) =$ ________
1.5
1.3
1.2
1.1
0.9
ML99
L91
L56
Q75
0.0
Sardi 7
0.3
0.9
0.6
Aurora
0.7
0.6
0.8
Less the extra cost for seed ((A) x (C)) = -- $ ________
X Life of stand ________ yrs = $ $ ________
Nett Return $ ________
Or - return from better quality hay
Additional Price for better quality hay =
Percentage of Residual Plants/M2
99
97
96.0
94.2
ML99
92
Less the extra cost for seed ((A) x (C)) = -- $ ________
94.9
L91
93
= extra $ ________ per Ha (D)
Extra Income from better quality ((D) x (C)) = $ ________
95.9
L56
94
Sardi 7
95
Q75
95.3
Aurora
96
$ ________ per tonne
X Budget yield for high quality “Q” variety ________ tonnes / HA
98.1
98
________ Ha (C)
Trial details:
• 14 genetically similar Angus steers were used
• Average start weight of animals was 364 Kg’s
• 6 Lucerne varieties used
• Lucerne stand established in August 09’,
sowing rate: 15kg/ha with initial plant counts
between varieties very similar
• 3 rotational grazing replications performed
on each variety
• Livestock weighed weekly
• No supplements or other feed supplied
• All environmental conditions monitored,
irrigated with linear irrigator
• Starting date: 09/10/2009
• Finishing date: 12/2/2010
• Trial length 18 weeks, 126 days
Discussion: From the trial, within the limitations of the
environment, cattle weight gain performance was charted by
cultivar over the trial period, with daily weight gains achieved
(averaged over weekly periods per variety) ranging between 600g/
day and 1.4kg/day. In 2010 further refinement of the trial protocol is
to take place, with different species and approach to measurement
being undertaken, watch this space for more information! Results
are a guide to potential livestock weight gains that can be achieved
on specific Lucerne varieties. Use this information as a tool to look
at Forage production potential under traditional grazing systems.
Nett Return $ ________
Wouldn’t you like this extra income
from your next lucerne crop?
Establishment
Guarantee®
Seed Distributors are so confident about our seed genetics and
seed quality we will replace any of our proprietary lines at half the
original purchase price if it fails to establish satisfactorily in the
first thirty days.
Establishment Guarantee®
•
Replacement seed for crop establishment failures.
•
Seed Distributors is very confident about seed quality and provides
our innovative Establishment Guarantee program on all of our
proprietary products.
•
Unfortunately establishment failures can occur and if the crop
needs to be replanted, Seed Distributors will provide replacement
seed at half the original purchase price.
•
The Establishment Guarantee program is available for the vital
30 day period after planting and provides growers with substantial
savings if they need to replant their paddocks.
14 -16 Hakkinen Road, Wingfield, SA 5013
Phone (08) 8445 1111 Fax (08) 8445 7777 www.seeddistributors.com.au