Lucerne (alfalfa) Growing

[tim armstrong]

We have a few hectares of land of good soil that is a bit sandy and needs a lot of mulch. I wonder if anyone has had experience of growing lucerne in the tropics or specifically in Thailand ? Its great for nitrogen production, does wonders for the soil, and is excellent fodder for cattle, and other livestock. All ideas appreciated.

[chownah]

Its been discussed...do a search and I'm sure you'll find it....the short answer is that it has been grown but mostly experimentally...it doesn't like its roots in water so much but there are varieties which will evidentally tolerate water better than others. If I remember correctly a stand of alfalfa will not last as long here as it does in drier places like the northern US where a stand might last for many years with proper management.....but I have never grown it myself so I'm only repeating what I've read.

Edited April 1, 2007 by chownah

[Nawtilus]

We used to grow it in the tropics in Oz, so no reason why not here.

Except for what Chow says above, the humidity seems to be a bit more fierce here and could have something to do with it.

[tim armstrong]

Thanks for both your replies. It was once grown widely in southern NSW where I come from, and I seem to remember a humidity problem in the cut bales at times. I'll do a bit more searching. Thanks again - if it works out I'll let you know.

[Maizefarmer]

Yes you can - but on balance: energy in energy out equation does not work to well in Thailand - the possible exception been if you are down South towards malaysia and you have a large enough scale (farm size) - but generaly speaking, it is not the Thai ag industries first fodder crop choice.

You can/will get better economics out of growing grasses and tall crops (maize)

MF