What time of year is alfalfa harvested?
For higher value forage The optimal compromise for higher forage quality and dry matter yield of alfalfa is to harvest the first cutting at the late-bud to first-flower stage and to make subsequent cuttings at 32-to-35 day intervals until late August or early-September, often referred to as a “4 summer-cut system.”
How long does it take to harvest alfalfa?
Managing Seeding Year Alfalfa 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.
What is an acre of alfalfa worth?
In this example, the standing value for the entire alfalfa field could range from $230 to $360/acre for the entire growing season. Keep in mind ownership costs can run $300- 400/acre when the seller considers lost rent, establishment costs and top-dress fertilizer to maintain soil fertility.
When should you not cut alfalfa?
“You should wait until there a couple of light frosts on the crop, or roughly September 15, before doing the second cut on an alfalfa or an alfalfa grass mixed hay crop,” says Barry Yaremcio, beef/forage specialist, Alberta Ag-Info Centre, Stettler. “The alfalfa plant wants to grow and produce seed.
How many times can you harvest alfalfa in a year?
Harvesting of Alfalfa During the Establishment Year For spring seedings which are made without a companion crop, two harvests can generally be made the first year, provided there are adequate rainfall and optimum levels of soil nutrients.
How much money do alfalfa farmers make?
Over a three-year average, alfalfa returns a profit of $98.82/acre compared to a $44.77/acre return for corn and $39.68/acre for soybeans, Miller estimated using information from Midwestern farms compiled through the FINBIN database.
What is a killing frost for alfalfa?
In its simplest form a killing freeze is when temperatures get cold enough to kill all the top growth on the alfalfa plant. The plant wilts, turns tan, and its leaves fall off. Once alfalfa tops die, yield no longer increases and winterizing ends.
What happens to alfalfa if you don’t cut it?
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.
How tall should alfalfa be when you cut it?
2-inch height for all cuts during the season, 2-inch height for the 1st cut, 3-inch height for the 2nd and 3rd cuts, 3-inch height for all cuts during the season, 6-inch height for all cuts during the season.
Does alfalfa require annual planting?
Fields may be difficult to enter into due to wet soils, but alfalfa may be planted as soon as danger of spring frost has passed. Summer weed competition can be alleviated by planting with an annual companion crop such as oats. Alfalfa, during growth, is not tolerant of a high water table that could drown it out.
How long for alfalfa to germinate?
Alfalfa seeds will sprout within four to seven days of germination. Alfalfa sprouts are the young shoots of the alfalfa plant.
Should we allow alfalfa to bloom?
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. The objective is to allow the alfalfa plant to reach a full level of root carbohydrates.
When to plant alfalfa hay?
Farmers grow alfalfa primarily for hay — as a food source for domestic farm animals. It grows best in well-drained soils where there is no water puddling. Alfalfa is best planted in early spring, as soon as all possibility of frost has passed. Spring plantings will generally yield two cuttings for the season.