First time alfalfa planting questions…

[StucknAz]

My se Ohio piece has no farmers in the area running alfalfa. I’ve never tried it but seen farms 20 miles away that have piles of deer hitting theirs. The farmer who runs hay on me would likely invite it. I’m curious, what’s ideal time to seed, what rates, run a cover crop, is early June too late for a spring plant, what nutrients does alfalfa like, does it need lots of fertilizer?

Can I mix a clover blend into it and get best of both worlds?

Has anyone ran grandpa ray “gold”? Co op seed, roundup ready?

 

[StucknAz]

Also if I plant in the 1-2 acre range do you see a medium low deer density due to ehd hit property not requiring frequent mowings with the smaller acreage?

 

[Oct-Lull]

My se Ohio piece has no farmers in the area running alfalfa. I’ve never tried it but seen farms 20 miles away that have piles of deer hitting theirs. The farmer who runs hay on me would likely invite it. I’m curious, what’s ideal time to seed, what rates, run a cover crop, is early June too late for a spring plant, what nutrients does alfalfa like, does it need lots of fertilizer?

Can I mix a clover blend into it and get best of both worlds?

Has anyone ran grandpa ray “gold”? Co op seed, roundup ready?

I would say both clover and alfalfa are the best option. Pure alfalfa will have pest issues at some point. You will have better success with a cover crop but then it was to be removed at some point as well. Gold is a great blend, Elite is also and has alfalfa in it. It it has chicory too which will die if you spray for weeds. I love alfalfa but monthly mowing will make it better if the browse isnt heavy. It does take some fert to make the stand really go depending on soil conditions

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[Sligh1]

Alfalfa is gonna need clipped If u get a grazing type that’s more leaf & less stem…. You might get away with maybe 1 clipping. I still would though. Alfalfa just gets too woody & not digestible/nutritious if gets too mature.
For sure correct on above too… get all ur micro & macros right & ph.

 

[StucknAz]

Alfalfa is gonna need clipped If u get a grazing type that’s more leaf & less stem…. You might get away with maybe 1 clipping. I still would though. Alfalfa just gets too woody & not digestible/nutritious if gets too mature.
For sure correct on above too… get all ur micro & macros right & ph.

Skip do you have a blend or seed type you run? Also what would be rate of clover you mix in vs alfalfa per acre, ballpark?

 

[tall@wide]

I have a 3.5 acre alfalfa plot that receives heavy browsing pressure and it still needs to be bailed 3-4 times per year. I tried mowing it myself but it leaves too much residue and will choke growth out. I use a local co op non round up ready alfalfa that does great.

 

[StucknAz]

I have a 3.5 acre alfalfa plot that receives heavy browsing pressure and it still needs to be bailed 3-4 times per year. I tried mowing it myself but it leaves too much residue and will choke growth out. I use a local co op non round up ready alfalfa that does great.

Regardless of size it will need clipped is what I’m gathering, moving things around it looks like I’ll be in the acre to acre n half range. I’ve read through a chunk of the dbltree thread, seems like a handful of guys let the deer do the work while most clip and bale.

 

[bwese]

I shred mine down to about 6" 3 times a year. The thatch hasn't impacted it negatively yet. Not saying it won't happen but It sure looks great, It looks as good as a neighboring farmer's stand. I don't do the first mowing until late June as turkey and quail seem to nest in mine. Found a couple turk nests and a quail nest when I did weed recons. They scared the heck out of me. Also I'm afraid of mowing a fawn up prior to late June. My thoughts are they will be of age to get up and out of way by then. knock, knock on wood.

 

[Grant]

I shred mine down to about 6" 3 times a year. The thatch hasn't impacted it negatively yet. Not saying it won't happen but It sure looks great, It looks as good as a neighboring farmer's stand. I don't do the first mowing until late June as turkey and quail seem to nest in mine. Found a couple turk nests and a quail nest when I did weed recons. They scared the heck out of me. Also I'm afraid of mowing a fawn up prior to late June. My thoughts are they will be of age to get up and out of way by then. knock, knock on wood.

How long have you had your stand? I’m strongly considering doing alfalfa too, but baling 3-4 times a year will be an issue for me too. Cutting it won’t be an issue.

 

[bwese]

Going on it's third year.

 

[habitat]

I use a pine straw rake and drag rows to end of field if needed after mowing.I just planted a new alfalfa field this spring because I like them so much.Watch for army worms if you get them up there.I just spray with bifan which I hate to do because I like lady bugs to eat aphids.