Poor man’s Lucerne is a crop that can be productive at low input costs, under conditions where other forage legumes like Lucerne won’t even survive. It is an erect, deep-rooted perennial legume that has good longevity. It is a warm-season crop that also grows well in autumn and spring. From a conservation point of view it is suited to a very wide range of conditions, making it ideal for rehabilitation of mined land, road banks and other disturbed areas. It requires at least 550mm rainfall per annum for production.
What can it be used for? Hay: Bales can be used to supplement a fodder flow plan or can generate income from sales. Grazing: Grazing without the risk of bloat is made possible by the presence of tannins. Production potential: 5 – 9 t DM/ha/season is achievable under dry land conditions. Yields depend on soil fertility, climatic conditions and frequency of utilisation (