How much does it cost to plant alfalfa per acre?
The total cost of planting an acre of alfalfa is around $2430. First, prepping an acre of land will cost $242. Fertilization and planting cost around $900 and $225 respectively. You also have to pay for irrigation which will cost $73.50 and $59. Sampling alfalfa is necessary and costs around $647.50.
How much do Alfalfa farmers make?
Top yields (intensive farming) can exceed 40 tons per hectare or 16 tons per acre per year. You can enrich this article by leaving a comment or photo of your alfalfa harvesting methods and yields.
Do cover crops need fertilizer?
Some situations where the answer to the question, “Do cover crops need fertilizer?” may be “No.” include: The transition of an inoculated legume crop to an annual grass crop- Due to the relationship between rhizobia and legume plants, enough available nitrogen may be present to eliminate the need for nitrogen fertilizer on the grass crop.
What does a crop of alfalfa look like?
Just so, what does Alfalfa look like? Fully grown, it produces flowers that have one-sided clusters, with each cluster having 10 to 20 purple petals with a leguminous shape. Most parts of the alfalfa plant are edible, such as the leaves and young shoots. Also Know, is alfalfa edible for humans?
See more
Why is alfalfa good for cover crop?
Increase Organic Matter. Organic matter is the main reason alfalfa is used as an agricultural cover crop. When cut down and left in the field, alfalfa adds organic matter by quickly breaking down and providing very nutrient-rich organic material to the soil.
Do you have to seed alfalfa every year?
A: Yes, alfalfa is a perennial and will grow back every year as long as it receives the proper care. Overall, it is an easy crop to grow.
How many years will alfalfa grow?
Alfalfa can remain productive in stands from four to ten years or more, but as plant population declines renovation eventually becomes necessary.
Can you overseed alfalfa?
Most producers would probably prefer to overseed additional alfalfa into a thin stand. However, overseeding alfalfa stands over one year old with additional alfalfa seed is not recommended due to the likelihood of autotoxicity issues.
What happens if you don't cut alfalfa?
The bad news is that if it stays dry you can't do anything good for it either. As alfalfa continues to just sit there nearly dormant, it will slowly lose feed value and tonnage due to continued maturation as well as leaf loss from insect feeding, diseases, and simple old age.
Does alfalfa regrow after cutting?
Alfalfa takes about 40 days to develop the ability to regrow from the crown after cutting. Plants cut before this point need at least one set of leaves remaining to regrow. So, if you need to cut early for something like weed or insect control, cut high.
How many times can you harvest alfalfa per year?
Maximum dry-matter yield of alfalfa and most forages is often obtained by harvesting the first cutting of the season at nearly full bloom and harvesting subsequent cuttings at 40 to 45 day intervals until late August or early September, referred to as a "3 summer-cut system." This system produces forage relatively ...
Does alfalfa require a lot of water?
Alfalfa is a high water use crop because it has a long growing season, a deep root system, and a dense mass of vegetation. The amount of water needed is governed by temperature, wind, humidity, and the amount and intensity of light.
When should alfalfa be planted?
If you have land available for alfalfa in late summer, optimal seeding dates are July 15 through August in the Upper Midwest and closer to July 15 for northernmost regions. For growers in warmer climates, seeding into early September is acceptable.
Can you plant alfalfa without tilling?
If you're seeding alfalfa this year, consider whether no-till might be a good option to help preserve crop residue and soil moisture. There are some obvious advantages to seeding no-till, like fuel and time savings due to fewer trips across the field.
How many pounds of alfalfa do you plant per acre?
Seeding rates should be between 12 and 15 pounds per acre. Prescribed seeding rates are designed to provide several times the seed needed to achieve optimal yield under ideal growing conditions. Seeding rates above 15 pounds per acre have no positive impact on yield (Table 3).
What do you plant after alfalfa?
The best rotational crops following alfalfa are cereal crops and annual forage grasses. Small grains can benefit from nitrogen released after alfalfa is plowed. Corn and sorghum could also follow alfalfa in those areas where rainfall is adequate or where irrigation is available.
When should you seed alfalfa?
In years with adequate rainfall, late summer or fall is typically the best time to establish alfalfa. Yields from late summer seeding are generally higher than yields from spring seeded alfalfa in the establishment year.
Is alfalfa annual or perennial?
perennial cropHow Produced – Alfalfa is a perennial crop, which means it will grow for several years after planting. Alfalfa is planted in the spring or fall.
What do you plant after alfalfa?
The best rotational crops following alfalfa are cereal crops and annual forage grasses. Small grains can benefit from nitrogen released after alfalfa is plowed. Corn and sorghum could also follow alfalfa in those areas where rainfall is adequate or where irrigation is available.
When should alfalfa seeds be dropped?
K-State Research and Extension crop production specialist Jim Shroyer says, “Late summer and early fall are often the best times to plant alfalfa in Kansas and neighboring states, provided there has been enough rainfall.
What crops should be considered for prevented plant acres?
With forage shortages throughout much of the nation, farmers considering crops for prevented plant acres should look to alfalfa.
Is there a harvest restriction on alfalfa?
No restriction. There are no planting date or harvest restrictions if farmers plant alfalfa for 2020 production and choose not to insure the crop . It is considered a first crop, regardless of insurance coverage, for the 2020 crop year. There will be no impact to the 2019 prevented plant payment.
Can you insure alfalfa in 2020?
They can plant it as a cover crop and manage it accordingly or they can plant it as a 2020 crop. With the 2020 crop scenario, the farm can choose not to insure the alfalfa; insure it under a 2020 forage seeding policy; or insure it under a 2021 forage production policy.
Is alfalfa good for the environment?
Alfalfa provides much needed ground cover and many other beneficial attributes that should be considered when deciding what to plant on prevented plant acres. Craig Sheaffer, a University of Minnesota forage agronomist, said it’s hard to find a crop better for the soil and environment than alfalfa. It provides the most protein-per-acre, reduces ...
Does alfalfa help with weeds?
It also increases beneficial soil biota, suppresses weeds, provides habitat for beneficial predatory insects and wildlife and facilitates crop pollinators, Sheaffer said. Sheaffer said alfalfa provides energy savings as well by adding nitrogen to the soil, reducing the need to apply fertilizer.
Can you get forage seeding insurance in 2019?
If a cutting is needed in fall 2019, farmers could consider forgoing the forage seeding insurance. In some areas of the country, farmers need to apply for a written agreement for a fall-seeded forage seeding policy, and should consult their crop insurance agent to establish the request.
What is the risk of cutting or mowing during the critical fall harvest period?
Cutting or mowing during the "critical fall harvest period" increases the risk of winter injury or winterkill with perennial varieties
Is alfalfa underseeding wheat?
Good growing conditions can result in alfalfa underseeding that is as tall as the wheat. Figure 6. Alfalfa is not often used as an underseeding in wheat due to seed costs. However it is relatively shade tolerant and works well as an underseeded forage cover crop.
Is Alfalfa sensitive to herbicides?
There are several herbicides available if weed control is necessary (See Publication 75, Guide to Weed Control ). Alfalfa is also sensitive to the soil residues of atrazi ne and some Group 2 herbicides.
Does alfalfa have a tap root?
Alfalfa has a strong tap root. Several years of alfalfa growth can help to reduce soil compaction. Figure 3. Alfalfa has shown good establishment in seed corn, many years as an interseeded cover crop. Figure 4. This alfalfa cover crop was interseeded in seed corn and established well.
Is alfalfa weed control safe?
Weed Control. Alfalfa is frequently underseeded into a cereal crop and any weed control herbicide program must be: safe to the cereal crop. effective on the weeds. safe to the cover crop. Usually the major weed control problems will be with winter annuals in fall seeded crops and with annual broadleaf weeds in spring cereals.
What is the best food for soil?
Alfalfa provides the most protein-per-acre, reduces soil erosion and improves soil structure, moisture-holding capacity and nutrient content. It also increases beneficial soil biota, suppresses weeds, provides habitat for beneficial predatory insects and wildlife and facilitates crop pollinators
Is alfalfa a perennial?
Alfalfa is a cool-season perennial commonly grown as cover crop and soil conditioner. It is highly nutritious and a natural source of nitrogen. It’s ideal for improving the soil and providing erosion control.
