Watch the video here!

Fors811: A Versatile Lucerne Cultivar for Sustainable Farming

In the world of agriculture, innovations in crop cultivation play a vital role in ensuring sustainability and efficiency. One such breakthrough is the Fors 811 lucerne cultivar, introduced by Agrofors. This versatile cultivar is garnering attention for its adaptability and potential to benefit farmers across various regions. 

A Perfect Fit for Diverse Regions

Fors811 is a dormancy 8 lucerne cultivar that thrives in a range of climates, including the Western, Southern, Eastern, and Northern Cape regions. It bridges the gap between dormancy 7, which offers greater longevity, and dormancy 10, which may start to decline after three years. By providing a middle ground, Fors811 ensures 4-5 years of reliable production while delivering high-quality bales. Its ability to perform well in both grazing and hay systems further enhances its appeal to farmers.

Farmers often require dual-purpose lucerne that works seamlessly across different systems. Fors811 meets this need with slightly increased winter activity compared to dormancy 7, enabling additional cuts without compromising durability. Unlike dormancy 10, which may overperform and burn out, dormancy 8 offers a balanced approach, ensuring sustained productivity over the years.

Customizable Options for Every Need

Agrofors recognizes that farming conditions and requirements vary significantly, and to address this diversity, they offer a broad range of cultivars tailored to different needs. For colder regions, Force 711 (Dormancy 7) provides excellent resilience and longevity. Aurora (Dormancy 6) serves as a reliable standard option for areas requiring extra hardiness. For hay producers in regions like Brits, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, Force 1011 and 1012 (Dormancy 10) are ideal choices. Additionally, Alphatech 8 and Alphatech 9 offer expanded options for farmers with specific hay production needs. This comprehensive selection underscores Agrofors dedication to versatility and meeting the unique requirements of their customers.

Key Advantages of Fors811

Fors811 stands out for several reasons due to its rapid growth, excellent regrowth ability, outstanding leaf density, and resilience. It thrives in challenging conditions, such as high heat, and offers a long lifespan, making it an excellent choice for sustainable farming. By balancing quality and quantity, Fors811 ensures reliable yields and superior hay quality, making it a valuable asset for any farmer’s toolkit.

Superior Quality and Management

Fors811 is a truly remarkable cultivar that excels in both grazing and hay production systems, making it a versatile choice for farmers. While dormancy 10 cultivars may grow too aggressively and are better suited for hay production, dormancy 6, 7, or 8, is ideal for dual-purpose use. These cultivars work well in grazing systems and dairy setups, where they can be planted alongside ryegrass. What sets Fors811 apart is the exceptional quality of the hay it produces. Its thin stems and leaf-rich composition result in an excellent leaf-to-stem ratio, which ensures high digestibility and overall quality. Proper management, such as a 21-to-24-day cutting cycle and cutting at a height of 5 to 7 cm, helps preserve regrowth and maintain consistent productivity. Cutting too late can negatively impact digestibility, animal intake, and hay quality, resulting in lower prices and reduced efficiency.

Easy Access and Support

Farmers interested in Fors811 can easily access it through Agrofors website at www.agrofors.co.za. Agrofors’ commitment to providing support ensures that farmers have the resources they need to make the most of this remarkable cultivar.