Intensive Lucerne Production in Washington

Hay is the sixth valuable agricultural commoditing in the state of Washington in the USA. Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) was grown on 190350 ha and represents 74% of all hay, 36% of the state's lucerne acreage and 48% of its production was found in two counties. Three to 5 harvests per year can be made in Central Washington. Lucerne farms under intensive management can yield as much as 22.4 Mg of 12% moisture hay/ha. A balance between stand maintenance, high yields and good quality hay can be obtained by cutting lucerne at the bud stage of growth. In 1991, over 13% or 363000 tonnes of hay was exported. 75% of these exports were lucerne hay and cubes.