pH should be 6.8- apply lime preferably 1 year ahead of seeding. This is where your first $ should be spent for fertility. Applying manure before seeding will be beneficial. Use tillage methods to mix into soil so seeding is not done into a band of manure. For most of Wisconsin a winter-hardiness number of 3 or lower is needed. The lower the number, the more winter-hardy the alfalfa is. Fall dormancy is measured by how tall the alfalfa will grow in the month following a September 1st cutting. Select a the latest dormancy that meets your winter-hardiness rating. The higher the number, the later the dormancy.
Optimum Soil Nutrient Target Levels: pH= 6.8 P=30 ppm K=120 ppm Ca=1000 ppm B=1.5 ppm S=40 ppm
One Ton Dry Matter Alfalfa will remove: 6 lb P, 49 lb K, 30 lb Ca, 6 lb Mg, 6 lb S, 0.8 lb B
Seeding Rates: 12-15 lb \/ acre Alfalfa
Grass companion– 8-10 lb \/ acre grass using
-Perennial Ryegrass
-Tall Fescues
-Festuloliums
With orchardgrass\u20141-2 lb \/ acre maximum
Note: Orchardgrass will show up more near the end of the seeding year and in subsequent years.
A companion cover crop can help control erosion and minimize weed competition, and provide additional forage.
Italian Ryegrass may be used at maximum 4 lb \/ acre
Oat cover crops- 2 to 3 bu \/ acre-Select early maturing varieties
Harvest Early
For Small grain cover taken for forage:
-Harvest at boot stage
-Spring Wheat, Winter Wheat and Rye NOT preferred
-Harvesting companion crop for grain NOT recommended for a good stand.
Seeding Depths: \u00bc\u201d to \u00bd\u201d deep on medium and heavy soils \u00bd\u201d to 1\u201d deep on sandy soils
Use inoculated seed
When direct seeding without companion crop: Harvest the first cutting 60 days after germination regardless of maturity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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