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Alfalfa plantings

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StucknAz

Active Member
Couple more alfalfa questions….

I’m assuming my arrival date to the Ohio farm of June 8 is not a good planting date correct?

My method will be broadcast. I’ll likely spray, till, spread cover seed(oats) pack, then broadcast the alfalfa clover blend on top of soil and finish with another packing?

I imagine I need a fall cover, would 50# of oat or rye be sufficient?

If I have 6 total tillable acres, how much would you devote toward alfalfa vs grains and fall blends? Curious on ratio, if there’s a science? Is it possible to roundbale the cuttings?

Sorry for all the questions, getting ready for this vacation, be liming and taking soil tests while there.
 
I’m planting alfalfa this fall. Never have before but have done lots of clover. I think it’s similar. I had the seed this spring but I chickened out and decided to do it this fall instead.

Your planting method is good.

According to Welters 50# is plenty. They have me doing straight oats at 30# drilled.

Round bales would be perfect. I hope to do two cuttings only and let it come back strong for fall. I splurged on rr seed and will spray and broadcast cereal grain late summer after establishment (I think. Not 100% decided how to do this.)
 
I hope someone with experience chimes in on the planting date and using rye as your nurse crop. Welters wanted to make sure I had not used rye on the planting site the year prior. I don’t believe rye is preferred as a cover crop for alfalfa and I don’t think it likes too much competition.
 
My favorite is to plant in August with no cover. My next favorite is to plant in early April, still no cover.
The August planting is pretty clean. The spring planting will be really dirty for one cutting and good to go after that. When we grew alfalfa on the farm, we got less tonnage the first year when we used a cover crop.
 
Planted this alfalfa before the last wave of rain. Looks like a great stand. Killed. Tilled. Brillion. This was no cover crop
Screenshot_20260524_100540_Gallery.jpg
 
hillrunner said:
My favorite is to plant in August with no cover. My next favorite is to plant in early April, still no cover.
The August planting is pretty clean. The spring planting will be really dirty for one cutting and good to go after that. When we grew alfalfa on the farm, we got less tonnage the first year when we used a cover crop.
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This is great info. What rate do you plant?
 
Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I’ll be doing an acre for year one, see how it plays out then pitch the idea to the farmer who runs hay on us.
 
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