Medics appear to be best adapted to soils with a pH of 6 and above, however, some species are more tolerant to low pH soils such as M. murex . Medics have been found to produce up to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre provided effective inoculant is used. Medics should be inoculated with a appropriate Rhizobium as the standard strains used for alfalfa may not be effective. Because medics tend to lodge and may be difficult to cut and bale, grazing may be a suitable alternative. If the medics are grazed high with some stems remaining some regrowth may occur.
Medics have quality potential similar to alfalfa which is influenced by the stage of maturity.
They will cause bloat and need to be introduced slowly as part of a total ration or mixed with grasses. The annual medics are not cold hardy and they will die after a killing frost. All of the medics have yellow flowers and are self pollinating, therefore they do not require bees for pollination. The seed pods are very unique and distinct with seeds larger than alfalfa. Typically the medics have greater seedling vigor than alfalfa especially the large seeded species.