AGRONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALFALFA
pH should be 6.8- apply lime preferably 1 year ahead of seeding. This is where your first $ should be spent for fertility. Applying manure before seeding will be beneficial. Use tillage methods to mix into soil so seeding is not done into a band of manure. For most of Wisconsin a winterhardiness number of 3 or lower is needed. The lower the number, the more winterhardy the alfalfa is. Fall dormancy is measured by how tall the alfalfa will grow in the month following a September 1st cutting. Select a the latest dormancy that meets your winterhardiness rating. The higher the number, the later the dormancy.
Optimum Soil Nutrient Target Levels: pH= 6.8 P=30 ppm K=120 ppm Ca=1000 ppm B=1.5 ppm S=40 ppm
One Ton Dry Matter Alfalfa will remove: 6 lb P, 49 lb K, 30 lb Ca, 6 lb Mg, 6 lb S, 0.8 lb B
Seeding Rates: 12-15 lb / acre Alfalfa
Grass companion-- 8-10 lb / acre grass using
-Perennial Ryegrass
-Tall Fescues
-Festuloliums
With orchardgrass—1-2 lb / acre maximum
Note: Orchardgrass will show up more near the end of
the seeding year and in subsequent years.
A companion cover crop can help control erosion and minimize weed competition, and provide additional forage.
Italian Ryegrass may be used at maximum 4 lb / acre
Small Grain cover crops- 1 to 1.5 bu / acre
-Select early maturing varieties
-Harvest at boot stage
-Spring Wheat, Winter Wheat and Rye NOT preferred
-Harvesting companion crop for grain NOT
recommended for a good stand.
Seeding Depths: ¼” to ½” deep on medium and heavy soils
½” to 1” deep on sandy soils
Use inoculated seed
When direct seeding without companion crop: Harvest the first cutting 60 days after germination regardless of maturity.