LUCERNE STAMINA GT5 1/G S/S KG (25) DLF 5709674577638

Stamina® GT5 is a grazing tolerant lucerne variety bred for ultra persistence under grazing, high forage quality, and long stand life. It produces quality hay and grazing opportunities for seven to ten years. Stamina® GT5 has been trialed under the internationally recognised Standard Test Protocol for grazing tolerant lucernes and is ideal for prolonged periods of set-stocking. It features low, broad crowns with fine stems and a high leaf-to-stem ratio, making it suitable for both grazing and hay production.

Features & Benefits
Ultra persistent under grazing.
A semi-dormant grazing tolerant lucerne.
Tolerates prolonged periods of set-stocking.
Produces excellent quality hay.
Has good overall resistance to most lucerne diseases.
High leaf-to-stem ratio for superior forage quality.
Proven long-term persistence in rigorous grazing trials.

Suitable For
Grazing tolerant lucerne pastures.
Hay production systems.
Dryland and irrigated livestock systems.
Prolonged set-stocking environments.

Sowing & Agronomic Details
Sowing rate (sole stand): 5–25 kg/ha
Sowing rate (mixed pasture): 2–8 kg/ha
Rainfall requirement: Minimum 350 mm per annum (unless irrigated)
Pasture life: 5 years or more
Soil fertility requirement: High (Olsen P 20+)
Key establishment fundamentals:
• Correct seedbed preparation
• Weed control
• Sowing depth
• Proper sowing technique

Breeding
Stamina® GT5 was developed over nearly two decades in a joint venture between DLF Seeds (Australia, formerly PGG Wrightson Seeds) and CalWest Seeds (USA).
• Initial development in the USA involved a 6-year screening programme with elite breeding lines and commercial varieties set-stocked by sheep and beef cattle for 6–7 months per year.
• Plots were maintained at 2–5 cm vegetative height throughout grazing periods.
• Further screening in Australia evaluated 24 advanced lines over 7 years, grazed for periods of 10 months at 40 sheep/ha.
Lucerne varieties bearing the Stamina® trademark were selected as the most persistent and grazing tolerant (‘best of the best’).

Dormancy
Semi winter dormant (5):
• Persistent stands with slow winter growth.
• Well suited to grazing and hay production due to lower crown and semi-prostrate but denser growth compared to winter active types (6–7).

Trial Performance
• After the first hard set-stocking period, ground cover was 76.7%, 50.9% higher than Aurora.
• After the second set-stocking, ground cover remained 76%.
• After 8 years, ground cover was 71.6%, demonstrating excellent persistence.
Benefits:
• Higher dry matter production per hectare.
• Longer-lasting feed supply.
• Increased economic return compared to non-grazing tolerant varieties.

Applications
• Long-term lucerne pasture stands
• Livestock grazing (sheep, beef, dairy)
• Quality hay production
• Dryland and irrigated forage systems
• Mixed pasture systems requiring grazing-tolerant lucerne