In the past, lucerne was considered a low-value pasture or rotation crop, and was primarily used as a supplement. However, in recent decades, it has become valuable and profitable, competing successfully with many higher-value speciality crops.
Today, many producers approach lucerne production as a serious business enterprise, with careful consideration of costs, value and markets.Whether you produce lucerne hay to sell or feed to your animals, correctly assigning the economic value of the crop can impact the profitability of your business. Therefore, there must be a quality and grading system for lucerne hay that is fair to both producers and buyers, and one that, ultimately, represents the product accurately.
As the production and handling of lucerne has changed over the past 50 years, the National Lucerne Trust (NLT) decided in 2021 to implement its revised lucerne hay grading table for all near-infrared spectrophotometers (NIR instruments) registered at the NLT Hay Quality and Grading Scheme (NLT-Scheme). This was necessary to establish a more uniform lucerne hay quality and grading system.
HAY QUALITY AND GRADING SCHEME
The grading and marketing of lucerne hay in South Africa has historically been performed by means of subjective evaluation based on factors such as colour, leafiness, smell, and the presence or absence of foreign material and mould.
Traditionally, major emphasis has been placed on the production of high yields of lucerne hay. However, over the past 30 or so years, greater priority was given to producing a higher-quality product for the market, as the ultimate test of lucerne hay quality is animal performance.
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Denne historien er fra November 26, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
It is of vital importance that that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) be upheld following the recent US presidential election, in which Donald Trump emerged as the winner.
Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness
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Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions
In a paper published in early November, scientists reveal that pasturelands, in particular those that were once forests, hold great potential for mitigating the effects of climate change.
Harnessing wind for cleaner energy
At the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, held in October in Cape Town, Western Cape, Niveshen Govender, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the state of wind energy in the country and the opportunities that farmers can exploit.
The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine
Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.
Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector
Toyota Material Handling's innovations conserve resources and reduce the environmental footprint of farming operations.
Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production
Instead of buying expensive growing mediums for seedlings, farmers can make their own mixtures from local resources, such as manure, which are economical and produce excellent results
Optimising cherry production and quality
Growing cherries in a suboptimal climate requires manipulating trees and temperatures. But with a considerable market advantage, it is worth the effort. Lindi Botha visited ZZ2's Toscana farm, which for four weeks of the year takes prime position in the cherry market.
Biosecurity & nutrition: the foundation of pig farming success
JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.
The business of pig farming: practical steps for success
Running a pork farm requires knowledge and expertise. Mosele Lepheane, director of a small piggery in the Free State, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the structured approach needed to succeed, from drafting a business plan and managing cash flow to sourcing equipment and expanding market access.
