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Guidelines for Profitable Alfalfa Production

FIELD PREPARATION AND TIMING

• Test soil and apply corrective aglime, N, P205, K20 and micronutrients. A proper pH is the single most important fertility factor for establishing and maintaining high yielding, productive alfalfa stands. Apply aglime at least 12 months before seeding to achieve a desired 6.7-6.9 pH at seeding. A pH of 6.0 verses a pH in the 6.7-6.9 range can reduce the first hay year's first crop yield by 30%. This yield drag continues for the life of the stand.
• Control perennial weeds such as quack grass before seeding.
• For Kussmaul Seeds marketing area, the spring seeding of alfalfa seed can begin as soon as a proper seedbed can be prepared. A proper seedbed is one that is smooth, firm, clod-free for the optimum placement of seed by the drill or Brillion seeder. Avoid working soils that are too wet to prevent compaction and crusting.
• Alfalfa stands can also be established by summer seedings. Keys include timing seedings with anticipated moisture and early enough in August to allow 6-8" of growth before the first killing frost. Seeding should be completed by August 10th in the northern half of Kussmaul Seeds marketing area and by August 20th in the southern areas.
• A seeding rate of 14-17 pounds of high quality alfalfa seed will usually produce adequate stand counts. Go 20% higher if direct seeding.
• Place seed 1/4 to 1/2 inches deep on medium and heavy soils and 1/2 to a maximum of 1 inch on sandy soils.
• Good alfalfa stands can be established with companion crops if the field is managed to the advantage of the alfalfa rather than the companion crop.

GERMINATION AND EMERGENCE

• Germination will begin after an alfalfa seed has absorbed about 125% of its weight in water.
• Germination will begin when soil temperatures exceed 36∞F. However, the ideal temperature range for germination is 65-77∞F.
• Alfalfa seedlings are very cold tolerant through the first trifoliate leaf stage of growth. The first trifoliate usually develops about two weeks after emergence.
• Under normal conditions, only about 60% of the seeds planted germinate and emerge from the soil.

ESTABLISHMENT
(The period of time from emergence to the appearance of the first flower buds. A period 6-8 weeks for spring seedings and 9+ months for summer seedings)

• Nearly 60-80% of the seedlings that emerge, disappear during the first year.
• Alfalfa is particularly vulnerable to these diseases during the seeding stage; aphanomyces root rot, Anthracnose, common leaf spot, Downey mildew, Phythium seedling rot, spring black stem and summer black stem. Growers can put the odds of a successful stand in their favor by planting resistant varieties, using seed treated with the Apron fungicide and following recommended cultural practices.
• Seedling alfalfa, particularly under a spring seeded companion crop, are a prime target for potato leafhopper injury. Select resistant varieties or monitor fields for the presence of potato leafhoppers and use chemical control as needed.
• Control competition from annual and perennial weeds.

PRODUCTIVE MATURE STANDS

• Alfalfa has a tremendous ability to produce maximum yield over a wide range of stand densities. Normally, new seedings should enter the first hay year with 25 to 30 plants per square foot.
• Alfalfa yield is determined by the number of plants in a given area, the number of stems per plant and the weight of each stem. The maximum number of stems on a plant is set within 14 days after harvest and declines as the plant ages.
• Maximum forage growth occurs when temperatures are between 50 and 80∞F.
• The leaf to stem ratio is less for spring growth than mid-summer. However, summer growth will have greater lignification than spring growth.
• When three harvests are taken during a growing season, the relative yield rations are 7:5:3. That is, if the first crop yields 3 T / A, then the second and third will yield approximately 2.1 and 1/3 T/A respectively. The relative yield ratio is generally 9:7:5:3 in a four cut system.
• The selection of a cutting schedule is very important.
• For optimum persistence cut between first flower and 25% flower for each crop. Generally a three cut system.
• For high quality, cut at mid-bud and 28-33 day intervals thereafter. No after frost harvest. Usually a four cut system.
• For high yield and high quality, cut first crop at the bud stage, the second in 28-30 days and subsequent crops at 38 to 55 day intervals. Generally a four crop system.
• No harvest advised September-October 15th for any of the above cutting schedules.
• Each ton of alfalfa hay harvested removes approximately 14 pounds of P20S, 58 pounds of K1O; and the calcium and magnesium found in 100 pounds of aglime. This is the nutrient equivalent of 150 pounds of 0-10-40 fertilizer. Replace annually with top dressed mineral fertilizer or manure when feasible.
• Disease pressure during the early hay years of the rotation includes; anthracnose, common leaf spot and spring black stem. Later in the hay years Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and crown rot: and Verticillium wilt join the assault. For long stand life, plant resistant varieties, maintain fertility and follow recommended cultural practices.
• Monitor alfalfa stands for alfalfa weevil during May and June; and potato leafhopper during June, July and early August. Treat as recommended.
• Typically, stands that fall below 40 stems per square foot or 3 to 4 healthy plants per square foot are no longer profitable and should be rotated.

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