BAR Seven S3

BAR Seven S3 is a utility lucerne dormancy 7 (7.5) for dryland pastures, irrigation, grazing and hay production. BAR Seven S3 offers improved acid tolerance, grazing tolerance and, perseverance in dry conditions, and will replace SARDI Seven series 2 over the 2026-2028 period. 

BAR Seven S3 was developed by the Barenbrug and SARDI partnership, from elite Australian genetics, including SARDI Seven series 2. Parent lines were initially screened for acid tolerance, drought tolerance and persistence under close grazing. These were then re-selected under grazing from a broad range of Australian farm sites. These include Avoca (Vic), Coolah (NSW), Manilla (NSW), Coleraine (Vic), Tallangatta (Vic), Holbrook (NSW), Turretfield (SA) and Mingbool (SA), ranging in average rainfall from 460-715mm.  A third stage of selection was subsequently conducted for seedling tolerance to low pH.  

Forage yield trials commenced in 2022 and are being conducted at Wagga Wagga (NSW), Howlong (NSW), Indigo Valley (Vic), Hamilton (Vic), Derwent Valley (Tas), Dorrigo (NSW) and Bengworden (Vic). Grazing persistence trials are being conducted at Howlong (NSW).

Sheep and lamb producers, cattle graziers, dairy systems and fodder producers will benefit from the improved persistence, stress tolerance and broad adaptation 
of BAR Seven S3.