INTEGRATION OF IRRIGATED LUCERNE WITH INTENSIVE CROPPING

Abstract

Irrigation on light land has stimulated both an expansion and an intensification of cash cropping programmes on this country which, together, have increased winter carrying capacities and reduced spring/summer grazing areas. This has created a need for a spring/ summer grazing system capable of supporting a high concentration of stock. It is suggested that irrigated lucerne can form the foundation for such a system and results are given of preliminary testing of the concept with ewes and lambs.