Alfalfa seeding rate in a mix

[Brian662]

I planted RC BigRock this June with simazine and without. Both stands look just fine for first year stuff.

I have planted a 50/50 rate of alfalfa and clover and the alfalfa is holding its own several years later. Weed pressure is there and will try some Imox in the spring but overall its a nice stand that I've mostly only mowed and broadcast rye into in September to keep grasses down.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Thanks for the kind words BnB.

My alfalfa stands were still going strong after 3 years and I am pretty sure they would have gone strong for another 3 years but I terminated them to rotate into something’s else. I should probably say I “tried” to terminate the alfalfa/clover because, try as I may, I still have remnants of both in those plots. It is difficult to terminate for sure.

Thanks, Wild Thing, for the info. We'd like to plant an alfalfa plot that would hang on for 3 to 5 years to keep deer fed without having to re-plant things - at least for that one field. We have a number of other fields we can plant to other things - mixed crop varieties typically. A plot of alfalfa could anchor part of our critter cafeteria, if it lasts a while.

 

[Wild Thing]

Thanks, Wild Thing, for the info. We'd like to plant an alfalfa plot that would hang on for 3 to 5 years to keep deer fed without having to re-plant things - at least for that one field. We have a number of other fields we can plant to other things - mixed crop varieties typically. A plot of alfalfa could anchor part of our critter cafeteria, if it lasts a while.

Here is another twist on planting RR Alfalfa from Jake at Habitat-Pro-LLC, from a tip he got from Jim Ward. He plants RR alfalfa at a lighter rate so there is room to broadcast or drill annuals like brassicas or cereal grains into it in the fall to increase the attractiveness of the plot - especially into th later season.

I think there is a lot of merit to this strategy. I usually do drill some rye into my perennial plots in the fall anyway but it doesn't usually amount to too much in a thick stand of alfalfa. By planting at a lower rate, he gets very good stands of annuals along with the alfalfa.

Something to consider...

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Here is another twist on planting RR Alfalfa from Jake at Habitat-Pro-LLC, from a tip he got from Jim Ward. He plants RR alfalfa at a lighter rate so there is room to broadcast or drill annuals like brassicas or cereal grains into it in the fall to increase the attractiveness of the plot - especially into th later season.

I think there is a lot of merit to this strategy. I usually do drill some rye into my perennial plots in the fall anyway but it doesn't usually amount to too much in a thick stand of alfalfa. By planting at a lower rate, he gets very good stands of annuals along with the alfalfa.

Something to consider...

Thanks for this info, Wild Thing. We don't have a drill at camp, but we've broadcast rye around Labor Day with good results. The rye seems to germinate just by touching the soil for us, so trying the above plan you posted might be a good bet for our place. Rye is our go-to, gap-filler/thin spots filler. We mix rye into our fall brassica seed mix too, as a follow-up after the brassicas die for winter/early spring chow.

 

[Wild Thing]

Thanks for this info, Wild Thing. We don't have a drill at camp, but we've broadcast rye around Labor Day with good results. The rye seems to germinate just by touching the soil for us, so trying the above plan you posted might be a good bet for our place. Rye is our go-to, gap-filler/thin spots filler. We mix rye into our fall brassica seed mix too, as a follow-up after the brassicas die for winter/early spring chow.

I am fortunate enough to have a good drill so it makes drilling cereal grains into my clovers and alfalfa pretty easy...


I drilled cereal rye into these alfalfa plots on August 20th...






In recent years I have been paying the higher price for clean and certified rye because I have had bad experience using dirty rye and getting some free pigweed and other pests along with it....

The following June 1st




June 14th


I drilled this rye at the rate of 75#/acre but have since decided that 100#/acre would be better. I can imagine though, that with a little lighter rate of alfalfa, there would still be room for maybe some rape and turnips or radish along with the rye or oats? Remember - I planted this alfalfa/clover mix at 20#/acre (16# alfalfa and 4# clover per acre)

June 17th - This is why I don't like mowing in June. These little buggers can really sit tight. Late October they are big enough and smart enough to get out of the way.


I think this strategy might be a good fit for you BnB, even if you are broadcasting your seed. Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[davidhelmly]

Agreed, I never mow anything in June.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I think this strategy might be a good fit for you BnB, even if you are broadcasting your seed. Let us know how it works out for you

We'll give it a shot, Wild Thing. We also let our rye stand until after June for fawn cover - bears, bobcats & coyotes. Fawns would be easy pickings, so we try to help the little ones as best we can. If we ever mow rye early, it's well before fawn drop time, to release the clover & alfalfa.

 

[Westwind]

@Wild Thing this is a great thread. Just had a discussion with a buddy about the value of alfalfa in late season in snow country. The way you are doing it fits in with his thoughts perfectly.