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L56

LUCERNE
: Medicago sativa

L56® is the ultimate dual-purpose lucerne variety for Australian conditions suiting a wide range of soil types and enterprises. With its low and broad crown and excellent pest and disease rating, L56® can produce high-quality hay or a persistent grazing paddock, depending on the grower’s needs.

Features & benefits

Exceptional seedling vigour

Reduced time to first cut, maximising profitability of lucerne stand from an early stage

Increased flexibility in early herbicide application

Versatile all-rounder

Suitable for a wide range of enterprise systems including livestock grazing and fodder production on both dryland and irrigation, making it a versatile choice for farmers

Allows for flexibility in grazing management

Can withstand frequent or intense grazing, extending the life of the pasture

Strong pest and disease rating

Forms the basis of a healthier plant stand that provides increased persistence across a range of environments

Ability to retain leaf under stressful conditions

Increases the production of fodder as well as the plant’s ability to recover from either a defoliation event or prolonged periods of dry spells

Quick facts

Dormancy

Semi-winter dormant 5

Enterprise suitability

Sheep, beef, dairy

Usage suitability

Grazing, hay, silage

Sowing rate

Dryland: 4-10kg/ha

Rainfall/irrigation: 18-25kg/ha

Rainfall

Dryland typically requires 500mm to 1200mm annually (subtropics) and 250mm
to 800mm annually (southern and western Australia). Irrigation is preferred.

Grazing tolerance

High – 8

Seed treatment

Goldstrike XLR8®

Key strengths of L56 lucerne

Thinking about adding this to your program? Here’s why it’s a smart choice for achieving consistent results season after season.

  • Grazing tolerance
  • Strong pest and disease rating
  • Excellent leaf retention
  • Highly persistent
  • Benchmark in dual-purpose lucerne varieties
Lucerne global breeding program

Learn about our global lucerne breeding program

Our advanced breeding program brings together elite genetics and years of research and expertise to deliver lucerne varieties that thrive in tough conditions – delivering quality, persistence, and yield where it counts.

Download the Lucerne Advisor

The Lucerne Advisor series is your practical guide to lucerne success, from paddock preparation and establishment to grazing management and persistence. Clear, easy-to-follow advice written for Australian conditions.

Lucerne advisor
Download PDF (12 MB)

Give your seed the strongest start

At AlfaGen Seeds, we’re dedicated to embracing new technology, continually enhancing our range to delivery cutting-edge solutions and superior performance in our leading forage products. With treatments like Goldstrike® and XLR8®, you’ll protect seedlings from early pests and boost establishment, setting your season up for success.