Seedbed Preparation and Management Crucial During Development
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Good seedbed preparation and late summer management are among the biggest factors that determine a successful, high-yielding alfalfa crop.
Alfalfa is a long-term investment for growers and, to maximize productivity, there are several steps to take before seeding in the fall to ensure good stand establishment the next spring.
“Once growers have alfalfa established, it is a great crop for a long-term rotation,” says Dan Berning, Pioneer technology services manager. “But growers want to get it right. They won’t have another chance on that field for a while.”
To thrive, alfalfa seeds require good seed-to-soil contact. Because of their size, the seeds should not be planted very deep, since that may cause emergence challenges. To ensure holding moisture, growers should plant in firm soil.
“In the ideal seedbed, a footprint doesn’t leave more than a half-inch depression,” says Berning. “This is firmer than soil needed for planting larger seed crops, but growers need to recognize alfalfa seed is very small.”
“A firm seedbed helps prevent the biggest mistake in alfalfa planting – planting too deep,” says Gary Brinkman, Pioneer area agronomist.
Other good seedbed management practices revolve around weed control.
“Alfalfa is a delicate seedling,” says Berning, “so potential weed competition needs to be eliminated or it will inhibit the establishment of a good stand.”
New technologies are now available from Pioneer to curb weed problems. This includes three Pioneer® brand alfalfa varieties with the Genuity® Roundup Ready® (RR) gene, part of Pioneer’s extensive alfalfa lineup. The Roundup Ready trait enables growers to control grass and broadleaf weeds with a single glyphosate herbicide application, resulting in a simplified, cost-effective weed management program while maintaining crop and feed safety. Spraying Roundup® herbicide on the seedling crop is recommended at the 3 to 4 trifoliate leaf stage, and will aid with stand establishment by controlling most seedling weeds.
Selecting the right planting time is also important to good alfalfa establishment. Optimum planting times depend greatly upon the region.
“It is important to plant early enough to establish growth before fall dormancy,” says Berning. “A rule of thumb is to plant no later than one month before the expected fall freeze, unless that won’t provide adequate growth in your region.”
Typically growers should not harvest alfalfa before winter, but rather manage it. If growers cut their alfalfa crop in the fall, it depletes the root reserves of nutrients.
“When the stands get cut too late in the fall, typically growers will see more winter-kill resulting in a thinner spring stand,” says Brinkman. “If growers decide to cut, they should leave at least 6 to 8 inches of stubble.”
Roundup Ready® is a registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company.
Do not export Pioneer® brand alfalfa seed or crops containing Roundup Ready® alfalfa technology including hay or hay products, to China pending import approval. In addition, due to the unique cropping practices, do not plant this product in Imperial County, California.
Always Read and Follow Pesticide Label Directions. Alfalfa with the Roundup Ready® alfalfa technology provides crop safety for over-the-top applications of labeled glyphosate herbicides when applied according to label directions. Glyphosate agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. ACCIDENTAL APPLICATION OF INCOMPATIBLE HERBICIDES TO THIS VARIETY COULD RESULT IN TOTAL CROP LOSS.
Pioneer products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance and in compliance with the Pioneer policies regarding stewardship of those products. Crops and materials containing biotech traits may only be exported to or used, processed, or sold in jurisdictions where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted for those crops and materials. It is a violation of national and international laws to move materials containing biotech traits across borders into jurisdictions where their import is not permitted. Growers should discuss these issues with their purchaser or grain handler to confirm the purchaser or handler’s position on products being purchased. For further information on the approval status of biotech traits, please visit www.biotradestatus.com.
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