Assessing your alfalfa stands for winter injury

Now is the time to be looking at your alfalfa fields to make stand evaluations. Even though we had good snow cover this winter, it is still important to look at your fields this spring before you finalize your cropping decisions. By evaluating stands now you will be able to make decisions about what fields to save, what fields are getting thinner and need to be replaced next year, and what may need to be rotated to another crop this year.

The best way to evaluate your stand is to look at the above ground part of the plant first. Check to see how many shoots you have in a square foot, over 55 stems per square foot is ideal, 40-55 means yields may be reduced, and under 40 means the stand is poor and will need to be replaced. Look to see that the shoots are coming from all sides of the crown and not only one side, this would indicate some crown damage and you would want to dig up the roots to get a better look. Check for crowns that may have heaved up over winter or do not show any new shoot growth also.

Be sure to dig some roots of healthy looking plants and check to see that these crowns are healthy also. Healthy crowns and roots will look white to cream colored and will be firm. If the crowns are discolored or soft they may be infected with some root rot diseases that will limit production.

Talk to your Trelay DSM if you have questions or would like help in evaluating your alfalfa stands this spring to make sure you get the most from every acre that you farm. For more information on what to look for to evaluate your stand click on the link below.

Evaluating and Managing Alfalfa Stands for Winter Injury