The following is a brief outline. Further information can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.

The information in this list is based on current evidence from research by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries and from the experience of Departmental officers, other public and private organisations and farmers.

Perennial. 625 + mm rainfall or irrigation. Will grow over a wide range of soil types and fertility levels. Capable of very high production (mainly spring-summer-autumn) if fertility is high and adequate moisture is available. Poor drought resistance; minimal productivity during dry summer period. Use inoculant Group B.

For providing extra feed in late spring and summer in well-drained soils in high rainfall areas, in irrigated pastures or on naturally summer-moist soils. Also useful in short leys. May be sown in pure swards as a specialist hay or silage crop or for grazing. Rotational grazing will promote plant longevity and persistence. Most cultivars do not persist beyond 2 to 4 years. Some cultivars contain phyto-oestrogens which may reduce fertility of stock grazed on green feed at mating.. Use inoculant Group B.

A long lived perennial clover that grows during spring/summer/autumn; almost no winter growth. Tolerates both drought and waterlogging and is suitable for poorly drained, moderately alkaline and/or saline soils. Use inoculant Group B.

An annual clover suitable for 650 + mm rainfall areas. A useful one-year forage crop or as a partner with short lived ryegrass. If sown early (February/March) with irrigation, or after good autumn rain, very high levels of autumn/early winter production can be expected as well as good spring/early summer growth. Use inoculant Group O.

There are two species of serradella, Ornithopus compressus (yellow serradella) and O. sativus (pink serradella). The first is characterised by having a very high percentage of hard seeds, prostrate growth habit and yellow flowers, the second being relatively soft seeded with an erect growth habit and pink flowers. Both are annuals that germinate in autumn/early winter and produce during winter, spring and early summer. Serradella is adapted to well drained sandy soils with lower pH and often fertility, particularly phosphorous levels. It will also tolerate moderate to severe aluminium and manganese levels both of which are toxic to, and reduce the productivity and persistence of, other herbage legumes such as white and sub clover and lucerne. Serradella has a deep root system that allows it to continue growing actively during dry early mid summer periods after other annual legumes have finished their growth cycle; regenerates readily from seed each autumn. Soft seeded cultivars most suited to Tasmania. Ideally include equal quantities of seed of both species in sowing mixtures; pink serradella will dominate for 2-3 years and then decline in incidence to be replaced by the yellow serradella as its seeds soften and germinate. All Serradellas are non-bloating and contain condensed tannins which protect protein in the rumen thereby increasing protein absorption and digestive efficiency in ruminants. Use inoculant Group S.

In addition to white clover, the most widely used clover in Tasmania. Annual, self reseeding clovers with cultivars suitable for sowing in all rainfall areas of Tasmania. Productive from autumn to early summer depending on time of flowering. Drought tolerant through its annual habit. Seedlings are very susceptible to red legged earth mite and lucerne flea and established plants can be severely damaged in spring. Wide range of maturities between cultivars allowing mixtures to be chosen that will give production from autumn to early summer: dates at which flowering normally begins for each cultivar are shown in brackets. Yanninicum type sub clovers are now available which have larger light coloured (cream/amber) seeds in addition to the usual black seeded cultivars. Inoculate with Group C inoculum. Consult DPIF "Subterranean clover - Technical guide for Tasmania" for details of suggested cultivar mixtures for different soil types and rainfall zones.

Big Trefoil (Greater Birdsfoot trefoil) (Lotus uliginosus) Used as a fodder plant for dairy cows, as well as for sheep and general grazing purposes. Lotus is a valuable legume, not only for damp, marshy ground and drained swamps, but also for dry situations. It does well on widely varying classes of soil, from stiff clay to sandy loam. The plant is a true perennial, and readily adapts itself to different types of land. When cut just as the plant coming into bloom, it makes first class hay of excellent quality. It is particularly palatable to stock, except when it is in flower. Non bloating and contains condensed tannins which protects protein in the rumen from degradation thereby increasing protein absorption and digestive efficiency in ruminants. Sow the seed in the autumn.

Active growth during spring, summer and autumn with winter growth varying between cultivars. Normally very persistent and productive as a hay crop, providing some winter and early spring grazing as well. Best production is under irrigation and on deep well drained soils of pH 5.7 or higher. Very drought tolerant. Normally sown on its own as a pure stand for hay or grazing; persists only if mown or rotationally grazed. Use medic/lucerne inoculant: inoculant Group AL. The listed cultivars are suited to most areas of the State but for colder, inland areas it is strongly suggested that only winter dormant or semi-winter dormant cultivars be sown.. Paddocks that have grown lucerne previously should be planted to pasture or other crops for 4-5 years before resowing to lucerne.