Start Date
2-23-2006 9:40 AM
Description
Alfalfa is the most widely known forage crop, due to its high quality and the versatility of use. There are few forages that are as widely distributed as alfalfa, and none that can produce the high yields and high quality. Even with all of the positives of alfalfa, growing this crop profitably is often difficult. An evaluation of alfalfa budgets shows that a key factor in the success with alfalfa is the stand life. Because of the establishment expense, an extra year or two of production can increase the lucrativeness of the stand. The start of having a long life of an alfalfa stand is at establishment. If an alfalfa hayfield or pasture is weak at establishment, then stand life will be short. Getting a good, thick stand of alfalfa provides the opportunity to harvest a field profitably for several years.
Included in
Principles and Practices of Successful Alfalfa Establishment
Alfalfa is the most widely known forage crop, due to its high quality and the versatility of use. There are few forages that are as widely distributed as alfalfa, and none that can produce the high yields and high quality. Even with all of the positives of alfalfa, growing this crop profitably is often difficult. An evaluation of alfalfa budgets shows that a key factor in the success with alfalfa is the stand life. Because of the establishment expense, an extra year or two of production can increase the lucrativeness of the stand. The start of having a long life of an alfalfa stand is at establishment. If an alfalfa hayfield or pasture is weak at establishment, then stand life will be short. Getting a good, thick stand of alfalfa provides the opportunity to harvest a field profitably for several years.