Lucerne: The Wonder Fodder Your Cow Needs

If you’re a dairy farmer looking to boost milk production, improve animal health, and cut feed costs, then lucerne (also known as alfalfa) is the crop your farm needs.

Lucerne is often called the “queen of forages” and for good reason. This deep-rooted legume provides high-quality, protein-rich feed that can transform your dairy enterprise.

🥛 Why Grow Lucerne?

Lucerne offers numerous benefits when incorporated into your dairy feeding system. Grown and managed properly, it can greatly reduce the need for expensive commercial concentrates. Here’s why every dairy farmer should consider planting lucerne:

🌱 1. High-Quality Feed for Maximum Milk Yield

Lucerne is packed with nutrients essential for dairy animals. Depending on its growth stage, it contains 15–22% crude protein, far higher than most grasses, which rarely exceed 12%.

Since dairy cows require 16–20% protein for optimal production, lucerne fits perfectly into a balanced ration.

It’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. When harvested at the early flowering stage, lucerne provides the right balance of energy and roughage for healthy rumen function.

And thanks to its deep root system (up to 3 meters), the crop can access moisture and minerals deep in the soil, maintaining feed quality even during dry spells.

💰 2. A Cheaper Source of Protein

Lucerne is one of the most cost-effective protein sources for dairy farmers.

Currently, a bale of lucerne costs around KSh 450, translating to about KSh 23 per kilogram, compared to KSh 48 per kilogram for quality dairy meal.

By feeding your cows quality grass and lucerne, you can reduce the quantity of commercial feed in your ration, saving money while maintaining productivity.

🌾 3. Flexible and Easy to Store

Lucerne can be fed in different forms:

• Wilted fodder right after harvest

• Lucerne hay (dried and stored for later use)

• Lucerne silage (for long-term preservation)

⚠️ Important: Never feed lucerne fresh, it can cause bloat in cattle. Always wilt or dry it before feeding.

This flexibility ensures your cows have access to nutritious feed all year round.

🌍 4. Improves Soil Fertility Naturally

As a legume, lucerne fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through root nodules, reducing your fertilizer costs over time.

Its deep roots also improve soil structure and increase humus content, enhancing long-term soil fertility.

🌦️ 5. Reliable Yields Year-Round

Lucerne thrives under favorable conditions and can be harvested 2–3 times per rainy season.
With regular rainfall or irrigation, farmers can achieve over six harvests annually, yielding 1.5–3 tonnes per cut, depending on region and crop management.

This makes lucerne a consistent source of feed even when other forages are scarce.

🌿 6. Long-Lasting and Drought-Tolerant

Lucerne is a perennial crop, meaning it can last for several years once established — no need for annual replanting.

Its deep roots allow it to withstand dry periods, although light irrigation helps sustain yield during drought.

It’s also well adapted to tropical conditions, making it a reliable choice for Kenyan and East African farmers.

🚜 7. How to Grow Lucerne Successfully

Lucerne grows best when established as a pure stand from seed.

Planting Guidelines:

• Seed Rate: 4 kg per acre

• Fertilizer: 75–100 kg of NPK per acre

• Row Spacing:

  • 15–30 cm apart (under irrigation)

  • 60–90 cm apart (rain-fed systems)

• Soil pH: 6.2–7.8 (lime acidic soils to correct low pH)

• Drainage: Ensure the field is well-drained - lucerne hates water-logged or compacted soils.

• Inoculation: For better nitrogen fixation, treat seeds with 100 g of inoculant per 15 kg of seed before planting.

• Timing: Sow just before the onset of rains for best germination.

Once established, lucerne will keep producing for five years or more, offering sustained feed and improved soil health.

🐄 The Bottom Line

Lucerne has the potential to transform dairy farming by providing affordable, high-quality, homegrown protein. For farmers relying mainly on grass-based systems, lucerne bridges the nutrient gap and boosts both milk yield and animal health.

Invest in Lucerne today - your cows (and your wallet) will thank you. 🌾🥛

Adapted from: Daily Nation (June 25, 2016)
Written by: Greenfarm Organics
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