When you begin to get your soil fertility in the proper balance, (high calcium and phosphorus, low potassium), you will be amazed that your alfalfa doesn’t bloom at a height of 8 inches or a foot like it used to, but it will keep on growing—and growing—and growing .
Should you let alfalfa flower?
There are differences of opinion as to whether farmers should allow their established alfalfa to bloom at least once each summer. A Midwestern university agronomist recommends at least one cutting each year be allowed to reach the early bloom stage – the suggestion is 10 percent bloom .
Does alfalfa regrow?
You can harvest seeding-year alfalfa as early as 40 days after seedlings emerge. It takes plants about 40 days to become able to regrow from the crown after cutting . If plants are cut before this development occurs — maybe to control weeds — at least one set of leaves must remain on the plant for it to regrow.
Does alfalfa come back every year?
Alfalfa is a cool-season perennial commonly grown for feeding livestock or as a cover crop and soil conditioner. It’s ideal for improving the soil and providing erosion control. ... Alfalfa’s extensive root system nourishes both plants and soil.
How many times can you harvest alfalfa in a year?
Producers can generally meet two of the three with a chosen harvest schedule, but not all three. So, there are usually some compromises when harvesting. In general, more frequent harvests produce forage of higher nutritive quality at an acceptable yield level, but at a sacrifice in stand vigor or longevity.
What happens if you don’t cut alfalfa?
If it stays dry those new shoots could die off. Once your alfalfa does receive enough rain for regrowth it might regrow a little faster if it’s cut, but it also will regrow following sufficient rain without cutting. In most cases, it’s not worth the cost and time involved to shred, clip, or harvest low-yielding hay.
Does alfalfa stop growing when it blooms?
In the northern states, alfalfa planted in spring will grow and establish during the summer and die back in winter . The next spring it regrows and reliably produces its first flush of blossoms anytime from May to July, depending on location in the United States.
How many years does alfalfa last?
Alfalfa can remain productive in stands from four to ten years or more , but as plant population declines renovation eventually becomes necessary.
When should you plant alfalfa?
If you have land available for alfalfa in late summer, optimal seeding dates are July 15 through August in the Upper Midwest; closer to July 15 for northernmost regions. For growers in warmer climates, seeding into early September is acceptable.
Can you mow alfalfa?
Cutting healthy, vigorously growing alfalfa when it is 15-20 inches tall has several advantages. Weather might be better than later in spring. It also allows you to spread out the harvest rather than waiting to cut all your alfalfa at the same time. Some insect and disease problems can be reduced by early harvest.
How much does it cost to plant 1 acre of alfalfa?
Alfalfa has to be planted at around 25 pounds per acre if I remember correctly. A 50 pound bag of seed is around $200 last I heard a few years back, so $100 an acre just for seed. Probably $120-150 per acre including tillage costs.
What is the benefit of alfalfa?
Alfalfa has been shown to help lower cholesterol , and may also have benefits for blood sugar control and relieving symptoms of menopause. People also take it for its high content of antioxidants, vitamins C and K, copper, folate and magnesium. Alfalfa is also extremely low in calories.
Can deer eat alfalfa hay?
As mentioned by everyone else, whitetail deer will eat alfalfa hay . Most other types of hay are useless to a whitetail because of their body’s inability to digest grasses. Some studies have shown around 15% grass in a deer’s diet, but most of this is new, highly palatable, easily digestable shoots.
How short should you cut alfalfa?
Alfalfa or Clover
2′′ minimum . Some literature shows a cutting height of 1′′ will not reduce stand longevity, but remember the increased ash content issue. Also, keep in mind that frequent cutting at early maturity will continue to deplete carbohydrate reserves.
How often should you cut alfalfa?
Quality. Most dairy producers in our region are harvesting on about a 28-day schedule. When we cut alfalfa every 35 days versus every 28 days, yield increased by half a ton per acre (8.5 percent), NDF increased 2.7 units, and NDFD declined 3.5 units.
How many cuttings can you get from alfalfa?
For maximum persistence alfalfa should be cut between first flower and 25% flowering. This will average 35 to 45 days between cuttings, so in Massachusetts only 3 cuts will be possible. The first cutting will likely occur in early to mid-June. Yield will be greatest under this management, but quality will be reduced.
