Montana State University |
Montana State University |
By Jim Bauder
MSU Extension Soil and Water Quality Specialist
05/06/98 BOZEMAN -- A few weeks ago an invitation came in to take a look at a publication dealing with alfalfa production. Not being an alfalfa specialist in the truest sense, I asked Dr. Dennis Cash to help me out. So, together we came up with the following.
There are several good sources of information. One is Montana State University Extension Montguide 8505, "Growing Alfalfa for Hay," by Donald E. Baldridge, Howard F. Bowman and Raymond L. Ditterline. It is available free if obtained from county Extension offices or for a handling fee from MSU Extension Publications (406-994-2099) or email to acxtb@montana.edu.
Montguide 8505 notes that the literal translation for the Arabic word alfalfa is "best fodder." Alfalfa can produce abundant forage and is ideal for improving soil nitrogen levels while providing erosion control and using soil moisture from soil depths of as much as 20 feet.
Alfalfa seed is relatively small (200,000 per pound). It establishes best in a moist, weed-free, firm seedbed. The generally guideline for seedbed conditions is that the footprint of an "average" person should not be more than one-eighth inch deep. Germination is usually improved by firming the soil with some type of roller-packer prior to planting to insure good seed and soil contact. Seed should be uniformly drilled to a depth of one-half inch.
Previously, companion crops were standard when starting an alfalfa stand. However, recent research suggests that companion crops can reduce yields 20 to 25 percent. Better stands and yields are obtained without a nurse crop. Cereal grain sown with alfalfa competes with alfalfa seedlings for light, water and nutrients.
Companion crop |
Irrigated Hay Yield at Huntley as a Percent of Check |
|||
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
| None | 140 | 82 | 86 | 87 |
| None+Eptam incorp. preplant(check) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Barley - 6-inch rows | 0 | 61 | 69 | 77 |
| Barley - 18-inch rows | 0 | 86 | 79 | 84 |
| Wheat - 6-inch rows | 0 | 74 | 78 | 78 |
| Wheat - 6-inch rows | 0 | 74 | 78 | 78 |
| Wheat - 18-inch rows | 0 | 96 | 84 | 86 |
In the above study, the nurse cereal crops were allowed to mature and were harvested as grain, so the yield of alfalfa the first year was lost. Dennis offered the following recommendations, based on the above:
Sometimes, it is not economically possible to forfeit a small grain hay crop during the year of alfalfa establishment. When that is the case and a nurse crop is necessary for cash flow or feed (not for agronomic reasons), follow these steps:
A couple of additional good references on alfalfa production are:
"Alfalfa Management Guide" 1994 for $4.50 from the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, 677 South Segoe Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, phone 608-273-8080 or on the web at www.agronomy.org. This publication is a joint effort of the Extension Services of University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota and Iowa State University. It is exceptionally well produced, very visual, fact-filled 52 page booklet.
"Intermountain Alfalfa Management Publication 3366," was produced by the University of California. 6701 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA 94608-1239. Phone 510-642-2431. It costs $18 plus shipping and handling. This 138 page well-written publication includes good information on irrigation and gopher control.
Although neither publication is perfect for Montana conditions, both are excellent references that should be included in the production libraries of serious alfalfa producers.
Send questions or comments to Carol Flaherty, MSU Communications Services, Bozeman, MT 59717 or to Bauder and Flaherty with this link: carolf@montana.edu.
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