Irrigated Lucerne For Profit Course

The course is designed to provide information about establishing and maintaining irrigated lucerne, as well as the best management for making and marketing lucerne hay and silage. It is useful for both new growers who need to know the basics and more experienced growers who want to learn more. It covers: • lucerne physiology and agronomy • planning, preparation and sowing lucerne • irrigation layout and scheduling • lucerne under subsurface drip • insects, diseases, weeds of lucerne • plant nutrition & fertilisers • making quality hay and silage • importance of feed quality • quality assurance • economics and marketing • seed production

The course is delivered by experienced I&I NSW agronomists, researchers, irrigation officers and industry people.

The program includes lectures on the 3 mornings and field trips on days 1 and 2 to give people a chance to see lucerne growing and to talk to some successful growers. A soil pit exercise demonstrates how to assess soil suitability for lucerne growing. The irrigation officer will also demonstrate different types of irrigation and moisture monitoring equipment available.

The course allows plenty of interaction between the farmers. They learn a lot from each other, bounce ideas around and always go away with useful ideas and contacts. Each participant will also receive a comprehensive reference manual, and a copy of "Producing Quality Lucerne Hay" (RRP $35).

Lunches and morning teas are provided. Optional dinner with the group on Tuesday and Wednesday is at a local club or restaurant and is to be paid for by the participant on the night . Accommodation is up to the participant .

The two and a half day course commences at 9.00 am on the Tuesday ( 8.30 on the other days) and concludes at 12 noon on the Thursday. Tuesday and Wednesday sessions finish at around 5 pm, depending on the field trips.

Cost: $810 must be paid prior to the course.

NB.This course is approved under the FarmReady Reimbursement Grant (FarmReady approval number: FRTC0198). Eligible farmers can be reimbursed for course fees, travel and accommodation costs under this scheme . For more information see: www.farmready.gov.au

To enrol please complete the attached registration and payment form and return with payment to:

Irrigated Lucerne for Profit Course Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre PMB YANCO NSW 2703 or fax: 0269512620

For more information on the course please see: www.profarm.com.au or ph 1800 628422. N.B.The final course for the year will be held at Tamworth on 14-16 September