Strand medic

Strand medic
(High-resolution
image available)

NOTE: The information in this Agnote must be read in conjunction with Introduction to selecting and using pastures in NSW, which covers information on areas of adaptation, sources of variability, species mixtures, and important issues related to animal health and the conservation of native vegetation.

Pasture type and use	Winter/spring growing annual legume. Dryland grazing and crop rotation.
Area of adaptation	Riverina and lower western, especially on south-west mallee soils.
Min. average annual rainfall	275 mm
Advantages	High levels of hard seed permit good regeneration. High quality grazing. Helps maintain nitrogen fertility in cropping rotations.
Disadvantages	Lush and/or pure stands can cause animal health problems.
Soil requirements	Prefer neutral to alkaline soils. Mallee soils. Will not tolerate exchangeable soil aluminium >5%.
Varieties	Select varieties on the basis of aphid resistance, hard-seed level, maturity, yield and persistence. Mid season, hard-seeded: Harbinger — susceptible to bluegreen aphid. Mid season, moderately hard-seeded: Harbinger AR — tolerant of bluegreen aphid. Early maturing, moderately hard-seeded: Herald * — tolerant of bluegreen aphid. * Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights.
Sowing rates:
- as only species	3–6 kg/ha
- in mixtures	2 kg/ha
Sowing time	Autumn for all districts.
Companion species	Barrel medics, lucerne (winter-active) on appropriate soil types.
Inoculation	Medic (or group AL).
Major nutrient deficiencies	Usually phosphorus, sulfur in some areas, occasionally zinc and molybdenum.
Main insect pests	Redlegged earth mite, blue oat mite, lucerne flea, spotted alfalfa aphid, bluegreen aphid, pea aphid.
Main diseases	Root rot, alfalfa mosaic virus, phoma.
Management	Once established can be continuously grazed. Avoid overgrazing at seed-set in initial year to build seed reserves.
Livestock disorders of particular note	Photosensitisation in horses; occasionally red gut in sheep; frequently bloat in cattle.
Additional tips	Sowing without a cover crop greatly improves establishment. Good medic establishment has been achieved in south-west NSW using a seed spreader mounted on a prickle chain unit.
Further information	Agfact P2.1.12 Pasture legumes for low rainfall environments. Agfact P2.5.11 Medic pastures. Agfact P2.5.26 Murex medic. Weed control in lucerne and pastures 2004.

Acknowledgments

Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.

Photo: Mary-Anne Lattimore, NSW Agriculture, Yanco.