Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Part 1 and part 2 of this series focussed on the positioning of lucerne hay as an important source of animal feed, as well as its grading and quality. This article examines various aspects relating to the production of lucerne hay.
Figure 1 illustrates the flow of lucerne from production to final consumption, as well as its linkages to other value chains. The National Lucerne Trust (NLT) distinguishes between two primary production sectors: seed production and hay production. Over time, lucerne seed production has declined markedly, mainly as a result of recurring droughts in major production areas. This has led to an increased reliance on imported lucerne seed.
Figure 1: Summary of the South African lucerne hay value chain.
Production and quality challenges
Although lucerne is cultivated primarily for hay production, it is also used for grazing in regions with high livestock densities, particularly for small stock. Lucerne is a perennial crop with a productive lifecycle spanning multiple seasons and is well adapted to a range of climate conditions. During the winter months, the plant enters a dormant phase, the degree of which depends on the severity of the winter weather (Orloff, 2007).
Lucerne production typically involves between four and ten cuts per season. Each cut must undergo a series of haymaking processes, including drying, raking, and baling. Weather conditions play a vital role in determining the success of haymaking, particularly when adverse conditions extend the process. Prolonged haymaking or rainfall during this process can lead to leaf loss. As leaf content is the primary determinant of lucerne hay quality, such losses negatively affect the final product.
Additional mechanical steps used to accelerate drying can further compromise hay quality. Lucerne hay of substandard quality is sometimes sold as ungraded hay. More commonly, producers utilise ungraded hay for on-farm livestock feeding, or it is milled and mixed into other rations as a source of roughage.
The official NLT grading system classifies lucerne hay into various quality grades; however, not all hay is graded. Graded lucerne hay is utilised mainly in the formal market, particularly in the animal feed industry, while higher-quality hay is often exported to meet international demand.
Regional production and usage
Over 80% of South African lucerne hay is produced under irrigation, allowing water application to be scheduled according to haymaking needs. The Northern Cape accounts for the majority of production, supplying over 90% of officially graded lucerne hay in the country (Figure 2). Currently there is no available data for lucerne hay that is not officially graded. High production levels are associated with optimal weather and ample water availability. Lucerne hay from the Northern Cape is distributed nationwide, primarily serving the dairy industry, while lower-quality hay is used in other animal feed sectors.
Figure 2: Distribution of lucerne hay production in South Africa, 2023.
The Eastern and Western Cape contribute 5,32 and 1,65% of production, respectively. The Eastern Cape, which has the highest concentration of dairy producers in the country, primarily consumes its lucerne hay locally within the dairy sector. Lucerne can be utilised as hay and for grazing, depending on the livestock production system. In the Eastern and Western Cape, lucerne grazing is a well-established system, mainly used for finishing animals for the market or for grazing-based or intensive livestock production.
Irrigation schemes take two main forms. In one, water is diverted from rivers or dams to the schemes, as seen in Jacobsdal/Rietrivier and Vaalharts. In the case of the Orange and Vaal Rivers, water is used directly from the rivers to irrigate alternative areas.
According to the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), South Africa produced an average of 1,3 million tonnes of lucerne annually over the past 32 years, reaching 1,5 million tonnes in 2021/22 (DALRRD, 2023). Lucerne production estimates are limited and do not distinguish between lucerne used for grazing and lucerne used for hay, which complicates the interpretation of data explaining the factors influencing lucerne production.
Lucerne hay in South Africa reaches consumers through several channels. It is either used on farm, sold on the informal market (where it is typically ungraded), or traded through the formal market where it is officially graded and used for various dairy and livestock feeding applications. The most accurate data for estimating total lucerne and lucerne hay production come from DALRRD, and from lucerne hay graded using the official lucerne hay grading system (administered by the NLT) used in the formal market.
Impact of weather
The NLT grading system plays a fundamental role in the annual grading of lucerne hay produced in the country. Each year, between 350 000 and 450 000 tonnes of lucerne hay are graded, shaping supply within the formal market. Weather conditions are the primary determinant of the quality and availability of lucerne hay during the haymaking process. Unfavourable factors, such as temperature extremes, seasonal timing, precipitation, and production management decisions, are crucial in determining annual output and quality.
The lucerne hay quality grading system was introduced in 2004 and, by 2012, was fully implemented under statutory measures as the official grading system of the South African lucerne hay industry. Figure 3 illustrates graded lucerne hay production in the country from 2014 to 2023.
The data indicates a steady increase in production up to 2019; however, this upward trend makes it difficult to determine the extent to which favourable weather conditions contributed to the increased volumes graded. Production peaked in 2019, driven by optimal weather conditions and high producer prices. From 2019 onwards, weather conditions adversely affected production, resulting in a noticeable decline.
Figure 3: South African lucerne production (officially graded) from 2014 to 2023.
Unfavourable weather conditions can reduce lucerne hay yields and quality. Moreover, persistent rainfall during the production season disrupts the haymaking process by prolonging drying times and increasing reliance on mechanised handling. These additional interventions negatively affect leaf retention. – Dr Hermias van Niekerk, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State
The fourth instalment in this series will focus on the producer price of lucerne. For more information or references, send an email to vNiekerkHN@ufs.ac.za or visit the NLT website at www.lusern.org
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