The persistence of four synthetic lines of creeping-rooted lucerne was compared with that of Hunter River over three years on a fertile brigalow clay soil in south-eastern Queensland. The lucerne was sown either as pure stands that were grazed by cattle continuously or intermittently, or as lucerne and grass pastures that were grazed, according to two different intermittent systems. The persistence of the creeping-rooted lines was worse than that of Hunter River, and the stands had virtually disappeared after two years. The creeping-rooted lines seem more vulnerable to drought and show poorer recovery from drought. A grazing lucerne for the semi-arid tropics will probably need to, at least, incorporate the vigour and tap-root characteristics of Hunter River to ensure survival.