Growing Great Alfalfa

Growing healthy alfalfa starts with establishing a strong foundation. If the plants don't start well, they may become weak, prone to diseases, attract pests, yield poorly, and the entire crop might not last long.

Soil Types for Alfalfa

The beginning point for a thriving alfalfa stand is the soil. Soil fertility and conditions significantly impact plant growth, crop yield, and quality. Feeding high-quality forage to livestock not only increases production but also promotes animal health, potentially reducing vet bills and livestock losses.

What Alfalfa Needs

For optimal growth, alfalfa requires well-drained soil, preferably two feet or deeper, allowing its roots to develop fully. Soils with restrictions like a shallow hardpan, high water table, or bedrock are less suitable for alfalfa.

Hardpan and Alfalfa

A hardpan, a compacted soil layer, limits root penetration and nutrient absorption, affecting plant growth. Most farmland faces this issue, leading to water runoff, erosion, and sealing off lower soil layers from essential air. Good soil aeration is crucial for healthy soil, supporting roots and beneficial microorganisms.

Aeration and Alfalfa

To ensure well-aerated soil and overcome hardpan issues, the soil should be loose, spongy, and crumbly, indicating good structure or tilth. Humus, decomposed organic matter, plays a key role. It acts as a storehouse for essential nutrients, enhances soil structure, and protects plants from various stressors.

Nutrients for Alfalfa Crops

Calcium, phosphorus, and potassium are vital for establishing a healthy alfalfa stand. Adequate levels of these minerals, along with nitrogen, are crucial for plant functions and growth. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legume root nodules require trace elements like molybdenum, cobalt, iron, and copper, which may need supplementation in deficient soils.

Testing Alfalfa Fertilizers

Before applying fertilizers, soil testing is essential to determine specific needs. Some labs may recommend imbalanced fertilization, emphasizing potassium over calcium and phosphorus. Testing methods that assess readily available nutrients are preferred. Make Potassium the limiting factor, not calcium or phosphorus.

Guidelines for Soil and Alfalfa

While specific recommendations depend on individual soil needs, high levels of available calcium and phosphorus are generally beneficial. Sources like calcite lime, soft rock phosphate, and organic matter are recommended for addressing nutrient needs.

Liming Alfalfa Crops

In areas with low magnesium soils, calcitic limestone is preferred over dolomitic lime. Finely ground lime enhances availability, but its application requires consideration of mesh sizes and spreading methods.

Alfalfa pH

Alfalfa is suggested to thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7 or 7.5. pH variations and testing methods can impact readings, but a higher pH is often recommended to meet alfalfa's calcium requirements.

Preparing Alfalfa Seedbeds

A firm and moist seedbed with good tilth and humus content is crucial for successful forage establishment. Techniques like fall plowing and spring disking are effective, and shallow seed placement prevents crusting.

Seeding Method for Alfalfa

Broadcast, drill, or band seeding methods can be used based on soil conditions. Band seeding, especially in challenging conditions, has proven superior.

Companion Crops for Alfalfa

In certain areas, people plant alfalfa alongside other crops in the spring to stop erosion and weed growth. However, it's important to pick compatible crops so they don't compete with the young alfalfa plants. For legume-grass mixtures, it's best to have less than 25-40% grass, but up to 50% is okay in pastures. Having too much grass can lower the protein in the hay and may need more nitrogen than the legume can provide. Here are a few grass companions— bromegrass, orchardgrass, flax, peas, early maturing oats, spring wheat.

Alfalfa Seeds

Starting with high-quality, well-adapted seeds is crucial for a successful forage crop. Considerations include yield, winter-hardiness, disease resistance, and maturity time.

Inoculating Alfalfa Seeds

Legume seeds, like alfalfa, benefit from inoculation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria for root nodule development. Pre-inoculated seeds or applying inoculants during seeding is recommended.

Alfalfa Planting Depth

Optimal seeding depth for alfalfa is less than one inch, with variations based on soil texture and moisture levels.

Seeding Rate for Alfalfa

Factors like moisture, soil conditions, and species variety influence seeding rates. Recommendations range from 10 to 18 pounds per acre based on specific conditions.

Timing for Alfalfa Planting

Planting time should align with local climates and crop rotation schedules, with spring being ideal in the North and Northeast and late summer in the South. Late seedings should avoid companion crops to promote successful establishment.

Growing High-Quality Alfalfa: A Comprehensive Guide for Farmers and Growers

Quality in hay crops extends beyond the mere production of bulk, emphasizing the importance of fostering good animal health, reproduction, and productivity. While various methods measure feed quality, including total energy value, protein content, and amino acid analysis, the ultimate test lies in how animals respond to the forage. This article explores a practical and cost-effective method increasingly embraced by farmers: using refractometers to measure the sugar content in growing crops.

Measuring Quality with Refractometers

As farmers strive to produce high-quality forages, a refractometer emerges as a valuable tool. This optical instrument gauges the percent sugars in a plant's sap, correlating with photosynthetic efficiency and overall food quality. Commonly employed in the food industry, refractometers offer a quick and accessible means for farmers to assess their crops. By measuring sugar content in units called Brix, farmers can make informed decisions about their forage quality and adjust practices accordingly.

Balanced Fertility for Optimal Crop Quality

The foundation for high-quality forages lies in the soil. Loose, well-aerated soil with ample humus and beneficial microorganisms is crucial. Soil fertility, encompassing the right balance of nutrients, is equally vital. For instance, actively growing forage plants require nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Achieving balanced fertility involves understanding the specific needs of crops, such as alfalfa, which thrives when the soil's available calcium exceeds phosphorus, and phosphorus exceeds potassium.

Key Elements for Alfalfa Growth

Calcium and Legumes:

Legumes, including alfalfa, demand substantial calcium for optimal growth. Calcium plays a pivotal role in cell division, root growth, enzyme activation, and protein production. Soil testing is recommended to determine calcium levels, with high calcium lime preferred in regions requiring supplementation.

Phosphorus and Legumes:

Often overlooked, phosphorus is essential for quality crops. Its deficiency correlates with low yields, poor quality, and delayed maturity. Alfalfa experiments have shown that phosphorus fertilizer enhances protein content and milk production. Opting for rock phosphates over superphosphates is advisable.

Potassium and Alfalfa:

Excessive potassium can compromise forage quality, leading to carbonaceous rather than proteinaceous feed. Maintaining a high phosphorus-to-potassium ratio is crucial for growing top-quality forages, reducing weed problems and promoting overall plant health.

Secondary and Trace Elements

While magnesium and sulfur are needed in smaller amounts, they are critical for various plant functions. Magnesium forms part of chlorophyll and contributes to enzyme activities, while sulfur is essential for amino acid production. Trace elements, including boron, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, molybdenum, and cobalt, play vital roles in plant growth and metabolism. Adequate soil testing ensures the right balance, with adjustments made as necessary.

Mineral Balance for Optimal Growth

The key to optimal plant growth lies in maintaining a proper balance of nutrients. Well-aerated soil with abundant humus contributes to balanced nutrition, fostering plant health and resilience against diseases and pests. Unbalanced fertility may result in increased yields but lower nutritional value. Ultimately, understanding the intricacies of soil fertility and employing effective measurement tools like refractometers empower farmers to cultivate high-quality forages, promoting the health and productivity of their livestock.