Grazing Tolerance

Stamina^® grazing tolerant lucernes with TRUE grazing tolerance. When identifying lucerne cultivars for true grazing tolerance, be sure to choose cultivars that are evaluated here in Australia under the internationally recognised Standard Test Protocol for grazing tolerant lucerne.

The Stamina range of TRUE grazing tolerant lucerne provides:

High yields and strong stand density
Improved traffic tolerance
Lower crown height causing less stress on crowns
Long term, reliable feed (5+ years of grazing)
Quality hay production
Persistence under multiple grazings
Reduced risk of weed invasion by maintaining stand density for longer
Strong recovery from drought
The ability to tolerate pests and diseases such as Aphids, Sitona weevil, fungi and viruses

Remember that there is lucerne that tolerates grazing and there is grazing tolerant lucerne.

Lucerne trial analysis

Trial protocol

Figure 7 shows the 2012 sown dryland grazing tolerance trial at years 2, 3 and 8. This trial was continuously grazed for six months at 50 sheep per hectare equivalent from January 2014 through to June 2014. It was then repeated from January 2015 until June 2015. All cultivars were trailed under the internationally recognised Standard Test Protocol for grazing tolerant lucerne.

Stamina^® GT5 Lucerne trial analysis

Stamina GT5 is a true standout for grazing tolerance and persistence. After 2 consecutive years of the grazing tolerance protocol and another 6 years of grazing, Stamina GT5 maintained the highest ground cover of all dormancy 5

Stamina GT5 ground cover remained extremely high at 76.7% after the first hard set stocking period, 50.9% higher than Aurora after 1 period of set stocking
After the second set stocking period in 2015, Stamina GT5 remained at 76% when measured in August 2015, showing its true grazing tolerance
When another ground cover measurement was taken in September 2020, after 8 years, Stamina GT5 had an impressive ground cover of 71.6%. During this time the lucerne trial had been managed normally and grazed when feed was available
Using Stamina GT5 lucerne with proven grazing tolerance and persistence increases the amount of dry matter grown per hectare, provides longer lasting feed and increases your economic return compared to nonproprietary varieties such as Aurora and other nongrazing tolerant varieties

NEW Warrego GT6 (of the Stamina® range) Lucerne trial analysis

Warrego GT6 ground cover was 75% when measured after the first set stocking period in 2014, which means Warrego GT6 displays similar ground cover to dormancy 5 varieties
After another six-months set stocking period in 2015, Warrego GT6 maintained a ground cover percentage of 75%, while other dormancy 6 varieties continued to decline
After 2 consecutive set stocking periods in 2014/2015, Warrego GT6 had 60% more ground cover in comparison to Aurora
In comparison to older cultivars, such as Aurora, and after all cultivars were trialled under the internationally recognised Standard Test Protocol for grazing tolerant lucerne, it was evident that:
- When measured after the first set stocking period in 2014 Aurora (a non GT lucerne) dropped to 25% in ground cover, rendering the stand unviable
- Aurora continued to decline in 2015, dropping to 15% ground cover
- With increased persistence, Warrego GT6 gives growers management flexibility, allowing them to decide when to terminate the stand in comparison to Aurora

NEW Torrens GT8 (of the Stamina^® range) grazing tolerant lucerne

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 a Stamina grazing tolerant lucerne, had higher ground cover in years 2 and 3 compared to all dormancy 7-10 varieties and some dormancy 6 varieties.

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Grazing Tolerance

Stamina® grazing tolerant lucernes with TRUE grazing tolerance. When identifying lucerne cultivars for true grazing tolerance, be sure to choose cultivars that are evaluated here in Australia under the internationally recognised Standard Test Protocol for grazing tolerant lucerne.