Healthy Alfalfa Stands Boost Yields

By Scout Nelson

As spring approaches, it is important for farmers to assess alfalfa stands for winter damage to plan a successful growing season. Snow cover often protects plants from extreme cold, but older stands, exposed areas, or late-harvested alfalfa may experience winter kill.

Even before plants green up, early assessments help identify potential problem areas. Farmers can dig up four to five random plants per 20 acres, including the crown and at least six inches of the taproot. Healthy plants have white, firm roots, while winter-damaged plants appear yellow, brown, or stringy. “Yield will begin to be impacted when damage is greater than 30% of the total root/crown area,” experts note.

Check for alive basal buds at the crown; buds formed last fall to boost first-cutting yields. A lack of basal buds may reduce early yields, though plants can recover later. Observe where growth occurs on the crown: healthy plants show even growth, while damaged plants often show asymmetry. If more than 30% of assessed plants are damaged, farmers may consider interseeding perennial grasses, planting warm-season forages after the first harvest, or terminating the stand.

Irrigated annual forages offer solutions when pastures are limited by drought or wildfire. Spring planting for cool-season annuals, such as oats, spring triticale, or spring barley, occurs in late March to early April. Soil temperatures above 42–45°F are ideal. Grazing may begin by late May, and haying usually occurs around late June.

Warm-season annuals, including sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids, foxtail millet, or pearl millet, can follow cool-season forages. Mixing different species across acres ensures continuous grazing from late spring through fall. Farmers must also consider herbicide residuals from prior seasons that could impact forage establishment.

By carefully assessing alfalfa's health and planning annual forage systems, farmers can maximize yields, maintain steady grazing, and ensure farm productivity throughout the growing season. Click on the link for more information.

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