Is alfalfa worth it?

[Peplin Creek]

so I have been lucky enough to get a couple years in row out of the same 1/3 acre field with brassica plantings. This year was the first year I noticed some pest problems so I am going to rotate. The ag fields that have alfalfa planted seem to draw deer well and am really considering planting it. One, is alfalfa worth all the extra money and effort? It does seem like it could provide more tonnage than clover and seems like it’s preferred over clover. Is it better to plant a pure stand of it or mix in small ratio of medium red clover? I will most likely be broadcasting for seed method. What has been peoples experience with it, seed rate experience, seed mix experience, how have you gotten a good established stand of it? I would like to get this in as a spring plot if possible but not sold on that idea if there is a better way. Thanks.

 

[BobinCt]

According to Grant Woods, no . Go with the clover instead.

 

[bowhunternw]

I am going to try a small alfalfa plot next year, was planning this year but it was so dry here. You need to have a fairly upland-dry piece, and the only negative that I see is that you will need to remove the clippings. My clover had some use but not like I expected. The lush alfalfa fields that I see around seem to really pull the deer.

 

[sagittarius]

Is alfalfa worth it? Sometimes, Yes. White clover grows earlier in the spring and later in the fall. Where alfalfa really shines is during dry periods, when clover stops growing. If planted in a mix with white clover, the clover will eventually dominate with adequate rainfall. But in a dry year alfalfa could be considered drought insurance. If you harvest the alfalfa for hay, then extra P & K need to be applied to replace what was removed. If you only have one or two plots, alfalfa may not be for you. But if you have 4 plus fields, putting one in alfalfa, or a alfalfa/clover/chicory mix may have some benefit.

https://www.grandparayoutdoors.com/product-page/3x
3X

This is a perennial blend that can be either spring or fall planted. You enjoy the benefits of more drought tolerance as well as stockpiled forages for a winter feed source.
70% alfalfa
20% Ladino Clover
10% Chicory
Seeding Rate 13-15 lbs per acre
4.5 lb bag $30 Plants 1/3 Acre

 

[FarmerDan]

IF (and it's a big IF) you have the right soil (well drained loamy fertile), and if you have the time and money it takes to tend it, it might be worth a try. But, not as an exclusive plot.
I don't have a place for it. Nothing that meets the specifications.

If it's clover OR alfalfa, then clover it is. If you can do both, that's better.

I put alfalfa at the same level as corn. Is corn worth it? Many will say, absolutely! Like me, some will say not so much. Corn is an expensive crop very dependent on moisture at the right time.

 

[j-bird]

Alfalfa is one of those plantings where, in my opinion, you have to have a very specific situation.....then it can be great.....but in many cases there are better options, simply because the ideal situation needed for alfalfa to out perform other plantings is few and far between for us deer habitat guys.

Alfalfa - requires full sun for decent results....if your trying a plot in the woods or broken sunlight....alfalfa is not a good option
Alfalfa - requires a better soil pH and fertility level as well as a well drained soil type.
Alfalfa- requires clipping/bailing if your deer numbers do not keep it in top form for you. As alfalfa matures it gets stemy and not nearly as desirable to deer. Deer want the fresh young growth that comes from mowing or heavy browsing....and you have to remove the clippings for best results as well. Leaving clippings smothers the alfalfa - it dies and weeds grow back! It also requires significant acres to interest someone into bailing it.
Alfalfa seed is fairly expensive.
You can not re-seed/over-seed alfalfa into an existing alfalfa stand to thicken it up....it simply doesn't work that way....not sure why...it just is.
Alfalfa is drought resistant and a legume and a perennial.....stands can last many years with proper care in the right conditions.

If you want to try alfalfa - try it in a mix with other perennial legumes like clovers or even chicory is my suggestion. I have some mixed with clovers on my place and I will not do it again....I have the soil and sunlight. I hate mowing it and I don't have the deer numbers to warrant it or to keep it browsed down.

 

[mikmaze]

I gave alfalfa a try, gave it the sandiest plot, so as not to get stuck with crowns pushing up in the winter from frost heave. I mowed it once, but could not continue keeping the competition down and gave up, plowed it under this summer and went with a fall plot in its place.

 

[yoderjac]

Not for me with my soils and approach. Clover is a much better fit for me. That doesn't mean it can't be a useful part of some folks programs. As noted in some posts above, it is not a place where I'd recommend folks to start.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Peplin Creek]

I really do want to try alfalfa just because it seems like the neighboring fields of it draw pretty well, it could be other factors involved as well. What I might do is plant a 10-15 ft wide strip of it, plant the rest in either durana or ladino clover. I’m still trying to find that magic clover mix.

 

[buckdeer1]

I planted alfalfa last year and it's up good this year.i had to mow a couple times but found if soil was not too dry so that it would grow back i could mow and left clippings.I sprayed for grass and it is doing fine with lots of deer use.The biggest issue I had was getting ground flat enough so that the low spots didn't hold water

 

[BobinCt]

Peplin- Alfalfa as we all know is highly preferred by deer. You can see lots of deer in neighboring fields for a few other factors other than the Alfalfa, such as bedding bedding, browse, water ( especially year round running water) or cover there, they feel safer there, less pressure there. I’m not saying it’s not the Alfalfa, but there can be many other factors involved why they are drawn to the neighbors. U could have a 3 acre plot of Alfalfa and your neighbor does too but they are always staying on your neighbors property for the most part, especially daytime sightings. These deer are a lot smarter than people give them credit for, mostly non hunters and hunters too. If your neighbors all have summer and Fall plots, maybe go with a winter draw like Winter Wheat or Cereal Rye since u did Brassicas back to back. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[JFK52]

I have typical Central Wisconsin sandy soil. I rent out a prime 12 acre to a farmer friend. He has been growing alfalfa as a cash crop on it for three years. The first year he grew RR soy beans as a means of weed control. The alfalfa field plays an important part in my efforts to have both natural food sources and food plots available for the deer on a year round basis. So for me, alfalfa is an integral part or my overall food scheme.

 

[j-bird]

I really do want to try alfalfa just because it seems like the neighboring fields of it draw pretty well, it could be other factors involved as well. What I might do is plant a 10-15 ft wide strip of it, plant the rest in either durana or ladino clover. I’m still trying to find that magic clover mix.

I found a red clover called Barduro that the deer here really liked as well.....that you may want to look into. Also like BobinCt stated there could be lots of other things at play as well. Sometimes I think the simple fact that we tinker with our plots so much trying to make them perfect we actually increase the pressure on them and thus the deer go to other food sources where there is less disturbance....more an issue of security than food preference sometimes. Your comment about planting in strips is a good idea as well to see what the deer like and to offer some diversity as well.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

I'm assuming that the soil is the main factor when it comes to preference. We all look at ph and NPK but there are many other trace minerals that are also a major factor and you should request they test for them the next time you have a sample done. Many of these minerals are only needed at a couple pounds or less per acre.

It's a boring read but soil fertility and animal health by Dr. William Albrecht is eye opening on soil issues.

 

[swat1018]

I have typical Central Wisconsin sandy soil. I rent out a prime 12 acre to a farmer friend. He has been growing alfalfa as a cash crop on it for three years. The first year he grew RR soy beans as a means of weed control. The alfalfa field plays an important part in my efforts to have both natural food sources and food plots available for the deer on a year round basis. So for me, alfalfa is an integral part or my overall food scheme.

Me too, I took a highly erodible 10 acres out of corn/bean production and rented it to a farmer for Alfalfa. Still have another 30 acres of corn/bean rotation. I love having it, and I get paid.

 

[BobinCt]

Swat1018: your living a dream. You got the best of both worlds. You can’t beat that. He prob gets 3 cuttings a year , too. Nice fresh growth for the deer.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I think it depends on the soil conditions each of us has. We planted a mix of Supreme #1015 alfalfa and Starfire red clover in 2016 at camp. The plot is on a high, well-drained, sunny location and is about an acre in size. This year it came in nice and thick, and the deer were hammering it all spring and summer. We didn't need to worry about mowing it - the deer kept it eaten down. We limed and fertilized properly and have no regrets. Camp members were so impressed, we got enough seed to double the size of the original plot. FWIW.

 

[tynimiller]

IF I had a large enough field that could get someone wanting to bail it, I would incorporate alfalfa into my plans instantly...but not worth it IMO on a smaller scale without this.

 

[hillrunner]

First post here. I love alfalfa and its always the #1 draw here. The deer hammer my alfalfa till around late January most years. At that point hunting season is over and I start to feed the bales that I put up from the alfalfa during the summer. It's great for keeping the deer around during shedding. I plant many other types of plots as well every year and I feel variety is important but the alfalfa is always a draw. With that said, I don't know if I'd plant it if I didn't have a way to take hay off of it. I have never seen deer be able to keep up with its growth here, I usually end up taking 4 cuttings off mine.

 

[WTNUT]

No, not just for plotting. If you can cut it for hay and use it or sell it, heck yes.


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