The area of alfalfa is expanding further and further in the Netherlands. With the cultivation of this leguminous fodder crop it is quite possible to climb from silver to gold within the eco-regulations. "That gives the cultivation a boost", experiences company manager Luit Heikens of green fodder drying company Oldambt.
Also deep-rooted alfalfa climate-proof, which is good now that we are increasingly seeing longer periods of extremely dry or wet weather. Luit Heikens has been a manager at the green fodder drying company in Oldambt for 20 years. This year, they have around 1.350 hectares of lucerne and lucerne-clover under contract with arable farmers and livestock farmers. "Nationally, the area has grown considerably. Previously, there were around 7.000 hectares, but that is now 12.000 hectares." This is mainly due to the eco-regulations. Within the CAP, lucerne can score points and be stacked as a rest crop, nitrogen-fixing crop and perennial crop. As a result, growers can strike gold quite easily.
Soil improver
Growing alfalfa is relatively cheap, says Heikens. The crop fixes nitrogen itself and therefore only requires some phosphate and potassium from animal manure. Crop protection is not necessary. "And thanks to the deep root system, alfalfa also has less leaching of fertilizers into the surface water." Alfalfa has an average root depth of one meter. The crop originates from the region around the Mediterranean Sea and is therefore very drought tolerant.
"Without disturbing soil layers, it can go up to two meters deep. The roots remain after cultivation; that ensures good water drainage. Lucerne is, just like clover, a real soil improver, also because it brings a lot of organic matter into the soil." In mixtures with grass, you see that the grass benefits from the presence of lucerne during dry periods, he says.
Three years of harvesting
Lucerne is usually harvested for 3 years. In terms of variety selection, Heikens prefers varieties that do well in Northern France; in terms of climate, this is fairly similar to the Netherlands. "Mezzo from LG is one of the better varieties," he indicates. Lucerne can be sown from April to the end of August. "You have to make a seedbed like for beets. Not too loose, nice and loose, with fine clods. And do not sow too deep; maximum 2 to 3 centimetres." A crop that is sown at the beginning of May can be harvested for the first time around 1 July.
"It does not develop as quickly, because a lot of initial energy is put into the development of the root system. There is just as much growth under the ground as above the ground." With spring sowing, there are usually 2 cuts to be mowed in the first year. In the second and third year, there can be 3 harvests. "We mow at 20 percent flowering. Then you have a quick regrowth. And it is beneficial for bees and butterflies. If you mow too often, you mow away the crop. It does not grow back from the top, but from the ground level, from the crown." According to the farm manager, you can count on 6 to 10 tons of dry matter per hectare in the first year. The second year is 14 to 17 tons on average and the third year 12 to 15 tons. In terms of yield, it can therefore compete very well with grass.
Nutritional value
Because the cultivation does not require artificial fertilizers or crop protection products, alfalfa is suitable for both conventional and organic dairy farming. The crop is rich in protein – between 13 and 20 percent protein, depending on how young you mow it – and rich in structure, but also easily digestible. In addition, alfalfa is rich in vitamins, amino acids and minerals. It is also sometimes ensiled in combination with a top layer of grass, in order to be able to drive the pit properly closed. Heikens: "In terms of feed value, you should count on around 700 VEM for alfalfa, in the form of alfalfa pellets. But we hear from farmers that in practice they milk better from it than you would expect based on the analyses. In California, everyone milks on 'alfalfa', as it is called there."
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