Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (Lucerne)
Characteristics
- Yield based on 3 harvests/season (pure alfalfa, no grass)
- Seeds/pound: 200,000
- Seeding rate: 12-15 lbs pure live seed/acre
- Seeding date: early spring, or late summer before August 15
- Optimum harvest management for 40% NDF (hay) or 45% NDF (haylage) is generally 3 harvests per year in NYS, and is influenced by variety
- If grazing, select variety specifically developed for grazing
Advantages
- excellent quality possible
- higher yielding than grass, on good alfalfa soils
- more drought tolerant than grass
Concerns
- not adapted to acid or variably drained soils
- not suitable for alfalfa snout beetle-infested regions
- can cause bloat
- needs fall rest period
- potential for heaving on many soil types in NYS
More information
- Alfalfa (FIS)
- Alfalfa Snout Beetle (OMAFRA)
- Alfalfa Weevil (OMAFRA)
- Phytophthora Root Rot
- Verticillium Wilt
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