winterkill | Ag Proud

How did the 2023 alfalfa seedings survive the summer?

There are economic benefits to turning over low-yielding stands and taking legume credits and rotational benefits rather than keeping the low-yielding field.

October 24, 2023

Dan Undersander

One of the things we have learned over the years is that new alfalfa seedings that have good growing conditions yield much better in future years. Said another way – seeding year stress lowers yield potential of alfalfa in future years.

Is your alfalfa ready for winter?

Management considerations will optimize winter survival and yield of first cutting next year.

September 1, 2023

Dan Undersander

Now when the weather is warm is when we should begin preparing alfalfa for winter, if we want good winter survival and high yield next spring.

Why alfalfa survives the winter (or not)

August 31, 2021

Dan Undersander

Summer alfalfa is different in structure than hardened or winterized alfalfa. Summer alfalfa will freeze and die at 32ºF, while winterized alfalfa can survive temperatures (in the root zone) of as low as 13ºF and even colder air temperatures (Figure 1).

Winter forage: Not winter grain nor a cover crop

February 1, 2021

Thomas Kilcer

Winter forage is a crop that is rapidly increasing across the Northeast, central U.S. and in eastern Canada. It is a winter grain forage specifically grown for high-producing dairy cows in a high-forage diet.