Main
Utilities
Agronomy
Agronomy Services
Precision Ag
Seed
Seed Treatments
Fertilizer
Crop Protection Program
Input Financing
Team & Locations
Energy
Refined Fuels
Refined Fuels Order Form
Lubricants
Residential Propane
Propane Order Form
Ag & Commercial Propane
Energy Services
Team & Locations
C-Store
Car Wash
Food Options
Fuel Products
Team & Locations
Lawn & Garden
Lawn Care Products
Propane Cylinder Refill
Equipment
Small Engine Repair
Pet Food
Bird Food
Team & Location
Auto Center
Services
Tires
Location
About
History
Board of Directors
Leadership
Co-op News & Resources
Community Involvement
Contact Us
Contact Us
Careers
Locations
Bill Pay
Search for:
Contact Us
Careers
Locations
Bill Pay
news
>
5 Preseason Tips for a Strong Alfalfa Crop
5 Preseason Tips for a Strong Alfalfa Crop
Mar 08, 2021
Print
Share
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Here are five considerations as you plan your 2021 alfalfa management and input choices:
1. Select the right varieties for your acres.
A successful season starts by finding the right seed for your fields. Matching the right variety to your field's environment and soils, including weed control and disease resistance, is the foundation to a successful alfalfa stand.
2. Maintain optimal soil fertility for yield and quality.
If your soil's nutrients (pH, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and boron) are running low or missing, alfalfa plants will not be able produce to the quality that the genetics can provide.
Soil and plant tissue testing
is always a good idea to help maintain proper nutrient levels in your fields.
3. Pay attention to previous crop chemistry.
Many products used in corn and soybean weed control programs have a long residual period that can impact alfalfa establishment. Be sure to carefully review labels of previously-applied herbicide products.
4. Understand the importance of seed treatments.
Alfalfa seed is often planted in cool and wet soils so it is important to consider buying seed that contains quality fungicide seed treatments to help seedlings survive and get off to a healhty start.
Research has demonstrated that alfalfa seedlings with coated seed tend to have more vigor when diseases are present,
* which helps preserve the stand establishment and yield potential of the alfalfa crop.
5. Develop a season-long management plan
Disease and insect protection for established alfalfa is vital to retaining leaves, the most high quality part of alfalfa plants. A broad-spectrum insecticide can help manage in-season insect pressure. And adding a foliar fungicide treatment such as Headline
®
or Priaxor
®
on first and second cutting and late summer cuttings can help maintain leaf retention and improve yield potential.
Talk to your Central Counties advisor for more information about the best alfalfa mangagement straegy for your fields.
*Study by Forage Genetics International, West Salem, WI, 2018.
Read More News
Plant Smart and Reap the Benefits!
Apr 02, 2021
There is a good chance you have selected your 2021 soybean seed already. Up next... planting!! Here are a few tips to help your crop prosper this year.
Best Tank Mixing Secrets Your Farm Should Know
Mar 16, 2021
Here are some of the best management practices for tank mixing...
Producer of The Month: Schultz Farm
Mar 16, 2021
Meet Central Counties Producer of the Month...