This plant gives Growers one of their best opportunities for producing their own fertilizer.
Auburn University and USDA have studied the use of cover crops in cotton rotations for a number of years. In all of these studies Lupin came out ahead. In good conditions the Lupin being a legume gives 200 # of Nitrogen to the next crop. It adds 12 - 14 tons of organic matter. Lupin is adapted to acid soils. It is efficient at extracting phosphorous out of the soil, and its deep taproot mines for Potash. The deep taproots then add soil tilth and water holding capacity to the next crop.
Planting time: End of Sept - Oct.
Seeding rate: 50 - 70 # per acre full rate. Suggest planting Lupins 25 # with 30 - 50 # Cosaque Black Seeded Oats per acre.
Seed depth: 1/8 to 3/4 inches deep. Shallow is better.
Inoculant: They need the Lupin N-Dure inoculant.
Lupins being a legume produce their Nitrogen when they bloom. This will be about mid spring.
Shortly after this is the time to terminate the Lupin around mid to late April. This is why it is perfect planted before cotton. Some large cotton farmers in Georgia actually grew their cotton behind Lupin with greatly reduced rates of fertilizer.
Caution: This plant is a host for (white mold) so do not plant ahead of soybeans or peanuts.
Livestock love it. Sweet Lupin can be grazed, make hay and silage that will rival excellent alfalfa.
Lupin is excellent for wildlife. Deer will walk a mile for it. In fact if you have sweet blue lupin with deer in the area, you will not be able to keep them out of it. If the deer do not eat it all the turkeys will finish it off.
Seed Supply in the U.S. is currently short. Cost is around $60 per 48 # bag.