(credit: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pasture-establishment/lucerne-plant-and-its-establishment)
Lucerne fodder is one of the mainstay types of feed, especially in increasing productivity on farms. This is a leguminous plant that thrives in the rainy season but also survives the dry season. Making silage based on lucerne must be accompanied by calculations about the amount and timing of giving it to livestock.
So, what are the advantages of this fodder and how to process lucerne? In this article, let’s cover everything you need to know about lucerne processing and how to make high-quality silage. All focus on one main goal, which is to increase meat and milk production and support livestock health.
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Why It’s Important to Cultivate Lucerne and Make it Silage
As one of the most recommended types of feed, here are some reasons why lucerne fodder is important for livestock, whether served fresh or in the form of silage:
Save on Feed Costs
Lucerne’s supply is plentiful, starting with easy cultivation. Breeders can save on purchasing fluctuating, even relatively high, feed costs when they have lucerne pastures, or make this legume as fermented feed in the long dry season.
Highly Nutritious Lucerne Fodder
Many case examples and studies show that cows fed lucerne will have high milk production. For livestock in general, this feed is effective in fulfilling nutritional needs in the form of protein and vitamins that support digestion and the livestock’s immune system.
Lucerne Cultivation Good for Environmental Health
This type of leguminous plant will not only benefit livestock in terms of feed availability. This plant is also able to fix nitrogen in the soil to help fertilize it. Lucerne fodder is also effective in suppressing weed growth and does not compete with other crops such as wheat and barley.
Lucerne Fodder Nutritional Overview
Understanding the nutritional profile of lucerne helps breeders use it more strategically in their feed mix. The table below provides a general reference for fresh lucerne at peak harvest.
| Nutrient | Approximate Content (Dry Matter Basis) | Benefit for Livestock |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Protein | 18 to 22% | Supports muscle development, milk production, and immune function |
| Crude Fiber | 25 to 30% | Supports rumen health and digestive function in ruminants |
| Calcium | 1.2 to 1.8% | Essential for bone strength and milk yield in dairy cows |
| Energy (ME) | 8 to 10 MJ/kg DM | Fuels growth, reproduction, and daily activity |
| Vitamin A (Beta-carotene) | High | Supports vision, reproduction, and immune defence |
How to Plant Lucerne Seeds
How to cultivate lucerne is relatively easy. This plant thrives in highland areas with soil pH conditions of around 5.5 and above. Before starting to plant lucerne fodder, the soil must be drained, cleared, and plowed with a gentle slope so that the plants can grow well before the start of the rainy season. The application of organic fertilizer is also very important and determines the quality of lucerne.
After preparing the soil, you can start preparing lucerne seeds by inoculation. Before planting, the seeds are coated with rhizobium to aid germination and support seedling strength and nodulation. Otherwise, it is sufficient to moisten the seeds before spreading them on the ground.
The plant can also use the placement method by first making a hole as deep as 2.5 cm. The spacing between one seed and another is 30 to 40 cm per row. Make sure the soil is moist and clean when planting, and use the recommended fertilizer to support root development.
Lucerne fodder planting can also be done by intercropping. This method is even more recommended because the growth results can be faster with more economical cultivation costs. During the growing season, you should be wary of fungal and seed insect infestations.
Lucerne Fodder Care and Harvest
In the early stages of its growth, you have to control the lucerne so it does not lose out to weeds. Be sure to diligently clear the land of weeds so that the lucerne can get the ideal space, light, and humidity. Weed control efforts are also very good for reducing production costs.
Pests that usually attack young lucerne are aphids and caterpillars. You should also watch out for root rot and stemphylium leaf spot attacks. Applying manure is very important to maintain soil fertility, thus increasing crop yields.
After going through the seeding and care period, lucerne will soon grow and enter the harvest season. But you should not immediately let the livestock graze in the first harvest, because this will prevent you from getting good lucerne growth in the following period.
It is best to wait until the lucerne fodder has flowered and the roots are better developed. Under these conditions, lucerne has a high protein content. On the other hand, grass recovery after being eaten by livestock, or cut to make silage, will be faster with strong stands.
Use a sharp cutting tool when you want to make silage from this material. Make sure you cut so that the stump is about 5 cm from the ground. The goal is to make plant regeneration easier.
How to Serve Lucerne Fodder to Avoid Bloating
Providing this high-nutrition feed must be accompanied by proper management so that livestock do not experience bloating. After the lucerne is cut, wait for the forage to wilt slightly, then it can be served to livestock. In other words, never give lucerne when the cattle are very hungry.
Lucerne is a legume with high water-soluble carbohydrate content, which can make silage fermentation less efficient on its own. To improve fermentation quality, many breeders mix lucerne with a cereal crop such as corn or sorghum during the ensiling process. This also applies to other legume fodder types such as cowpea, where mixing legumes with carbohydrate-rich materials is a common and effective practice. Understanding the full silage fermentation process will help you get the best results from lucerne-based silage.
Making silage based on lucerne fodder can last up to 12 to 18 months when you wrap it properly in good silage film. Therefore, make sure you work with the right silage film supplier for optimal silage production.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lucerne Fodder
Q: What is lucerne fodder and how is it different from regular grass?
Lucerne, also known as alfalfa, is a leguminous plant, not a grass. This distinction matters because legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, which benefits soil fertility. Unlike grasses, lucerne has a much higher crude protein content, typically between 18 and 22% on a dry matter basis, making it one of the most protein-rich forages available to livestock farmers. It also contains higher levels of calcium and vitamins compared to most common pasture grasses.
Q: Is lucerne fodder suitable for all types of livestock?
Lucerne is highly beneficial for cattle, dairy cows, sheep, and goats. For dairy cows in particular, lucerne has been consistently linked to higher milk production due to its rich protein and calcium content. However, it should be introduced gradually to avoid digestive upset or bloating. For horses, lucerne can be fed in moderate amounts but should be balanced with lower-energy roughage to prevent excess protein intake. It is generally not the primary feed for pigs or poultry, as they require different nutritional formulations.
Q: How do I prevent bloating when feeding lucerne to cattle?
Bloating from lucerne is most commonly caused by feeding it fresh to very hungry cattle, or during heavy dew or rain when the leaves are wet. To reduce the risk, always wilt the lucerne slightly after cutting before feeding it. Make sure cattle have consumed some dry roughage beforehand so they are not eating on an empty stomach. Feeding lucerne as silage rather than fresh is also a practical way to reduce bloating risk, since fermentation breaks down some of the compounds responsible for frothy bloat.
Q: What is the best soil condition for growing lucerne?
Lucerne grows best in well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 or above. Waterlogged or acidic soils will significantly reduce yields and plant longevity. Before planting, the land should be plowed, cleared of weeds, and given a gentle slope to encourage drainage. Organic fertilizer application at the start improves soil structure and fertility. Inoculating seeds with rhizobium bacteria before planting is strongly recommended to enable effective nitrogen fixation and support strong seedling establishment.
Q: How many times can lucerne be harvested per season?
Lucerne is a perennial plant that can be harvested multiple times per season, typically four to eight cuts per year depending on climate, soil fertility, and irrigation. The first cut should be taken after the plant has fully flowered and root reserves are well developed. This ensures strong regrowth in subsequent cuts. Cutting too early or too frequently will weaken the stand over time and reduce long-term yield. Maintaining a stubble height of around 5 cm after each cut supports faster and healthier regrowth.
Q: How long does lucerne silage last in storage?
When properly wrapped in quality LLDPE silage film and stored without any punctures or air leaks, lucerne silage can last between 12 and 18 months. The key is maintaining a completely airtight environment throughout the storage period. Bales should be inspected regularly and any punctures repaired promptly. Storage duration also depends on the initial fermentation quality. Lucerne silage with a stable pH between 4.0 and 4.5 and no signs of heating or mold at opening has achieved successful preservation.
This article was last reviewed and updated by the Silopak Editorial Team on April 24, 2026. Our team periodically revisits published content to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with current best practices in livestock feed management and silage preservation.
