UWRF University of Wisconsin-River Falls Upper Midwest Forages

Alfalfa

Scientific name:Medicago sativa L
Cultivars:Many: Conventional varieties, Round-up Ready varieties, and new varieties with reduced lignin (HarvXtra).
Dormancy 2 and 3 recommended for WI
Origin:Persia, SW Asia
Growth Habit:Erect, 2-3 ft tall
Life Cycle:Perennial
 
Use
 
Production:
  • Fixes nitrogen
  • Hay, pasture, and silage
  • 3 to 6 tons DM/acre
    • Nutritive Value:High in protein (CP). High bloat potential
     
    Identification
     
    Seed Head:Raceme with 20 to 30 flowers in cluster
    Seed:
  • Kidney shaped, <1/4 inch, tan-brown in color
  • Inoculate with adequate N-fixing bacteria type (if seed is not coated or pre-inoculated).
    • Shoot:Up to 35 inch, grow from woody crown
    Leaf:Trifoliolated (3 leaflts per leaf), serrated only on top 1/3 of leaflets
     
    Adaptation
     
    Soil:Well drained, sandy, loose soils
    pH:6.8-7.2
    Moisture:Well-drained soils
    Temperature:Cool-season
    Other:
     
    Establishment - Management
     
    Seeding rate:13-18 lb/acre
    Seed cost:conventional: $4/lb; $50 to 60/acre; ~$200/50 lb bag
    reduced lignin (HarvXtra): $12/lb; $150 to 180/acre; ~$600/50 lb bag
    Planting date:Spring-Fall
    Planting depth:
  • < 1/inch on fine soils, 1/2inch on sandier soils
    • Frost seeding:Not recommended
    Fertilization:Potassium and phosphorus, fertilize by recommendation of soil test
    Grazing:
  • Should not be grazed below 2 inch.
  • Graze at 25% bloom stage, or 5-6 weeks after initial grazing.
  • Strip grazing is recommended.
  • Can cause bloat
    • Hay:
  • Last cutting should occur at ~4 weeks before frost.
  • Spring seedings should be cut after 60 days regardless of maturity (for weed control) and to possibly have a second harvest when at 10% blooming (usually by Sept 1).
    •  
    Notes
  • Reduced lignin alfalfa has higher digestibility than conventional, and can be harvested 7 days to 10 days later and be at similar quality than conventional but 1st harvest should be done at the same time as conventional varieties
  • Adequate for lactating mares, competition horses, studs during breeding, race horses
  • On a seeding year, you can expect 1 or 2 cuttings
    •  
    Photos


    Alfalfa field (UWRF Mann Valley farm, NW Wisconsin)


    Alfalfa trifoliate leaf with leaflet detail showing the top 1/3 serrated