Uses
Cefalu is a prolific seed producer but has only a moderate level of hard seed compared with species such as yellow serradella and biserrula. It can be used in a short phase pasture of two or three years and will regenerate after one year of a cereal crop. However, it is unlikely to persist in a 1:1 rotation.
Seed production and persistence are enhanced by rotational grazing, particularly during flowering. Its greatest value is for conserved fodder production. The sturdy, upright growth habit makes it suitable for conventional mowing and hay baling machinery.
Nutritive value of hay made with Cefalu is high. It can also be mixed with a cereal, such as oats, to boost production. The seeding rate of the cereal needs to be kept relatively low because cereals with high tillering ability and fast growth under low temperatures will out-compete Cefalu in the stand early in the season and reduce its spring production. A successful hay mixture is likely to result when the cereal is sown at 10–20kg/ha with Cefalu at 10–12kg/ha. Regenerating Cefalu pastures also have potential to be cut for hay or silage.
Establishment
Unlike very soft-seeded pasture legume species such as Crimson clover and Cadiz French serradella, seed of Cefalu should be scarified prior to sowing. Germination testing is also recommended.
The sowing rate should be 2–4kg/ha for general pasture establishment, 5–10kg/ha for seed crops and 10–20kg/ha for hay or silage crops. Due to its small seed size, care must be taken to sow shallow (0.5–1cm).
Seed should be inoculated and lime-pelleted using group C inoculant. Cefalu responds well to improved soil fertility. Phosphorus and potassium levels need to be maintained, particularly if the pasture is used for seed or fodder crops.
Cefalu is susceptible to redlegged earth mite at the seedling stage and can be controlled by practicing TIMERITE® in preceding years, and by applying post-emergent insecticides if numbers of mites are at damaging levels. Once plants are well established there are few insect problems, although large populations of aphids can reduce seed production.
Several viruses affect arrowleaf clover, the most serious being Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV). Control is best achieved by sowing virus free seed and controlling aphids. It is also possible to reduce the production of virus-infected seed by allowing healthy plants to out-compete infected plants. This is best achieved by reducing stocking rates.
Weed control
Broadleaf weeds can be a problem, especially at the early stages of establishment and in regenerating pastures. Trial results indicate that Cefalu is sensitive to paraquat, simazine, diuron and bromoxynil-based herbicides. Very few available herbicides are registered for use on arrowleaf clover pastures.
Ensure there is adequate opportunity for control of weeds with knockdown herbicides in the establishment year. Most annual grasses can be controlled with selective grass herbicides. Once a good stand is established, Cefalu can become very competitive and the dense canopy can help reduce weed growth.
Grazing
Animals grazing Cefalu will not have bloating problems. However, grazing pressure should be light during establishment, due to its relatively slow early growth and upright habit.
Although spring growth is more vigorous, grazing pressure at flowering time should be reduced. This will ensure enough seed heads escape grazing, further ensuring adequate seed production for regeneration in the following season or after a crop.
Grazing in summer to remove most of the dry matter is very important to ensure good autumn regeneration. Due to the relatively small seed and its dislodgement from mature plants, adequate seed will usually escape grazing to ensure regeneration. Approximately 30 per cent of the seeds that are ingested might be expected to pass through the animal’s digestive system unaffected.
Its erect growth habit also makes Cefalu ideal for grazing with cattle. It does not contain oestrogenic compounds and will not cause ewe infertility or difficult lambing associated with some older subterranean clover varieties.