The influence of grazing management on regrowth of lucerne in late autumn and winter

Abstract

Grazed, irrigated lucerne on alluvial soil was subjected to different spelling times in autumn, to determine the effects of these treatments on subsequent production in late autumn and in winter. Dry matter yields, shoot numbers per plant, shoot length, and average dry weight of shoots, were all substantially increased in the autumn-winter period by allowing longer regrowth periods before defoliation in autumn. Treatment effects still present, but of reduced magnitude, in the second grazing cycle after the different recovery periods were imposed.