Start Date
3-4-2021 6:20 PM
Description
Alfalfa is the highest yielding, highest quality hay crop grown in Kentucky. Well cured alfalfa and alfalfa-grass hay is in high demand for dairy and in particular, horse owners. Alfalfa stands in Kentucky remain productive from four to as long as 8 years or more depending on several factors. Long stand life is favored by:
- Using an improved variety with high resistance to the major diseases of Kentucky and that is proven to be high yielding in relevant trials such as conducted at the University of Kentucky.
- Deep, well drained soils,
- Soils that have been limed to pH 6.8 and that have been fertilized according to soil test.
- Adequate annual fertility, including P and K,
- Prudent cutting schedules (allowing alfalfa to reach bud to first flower before harvest, not harvesting in the four to six weeks prior to a killing freeze),
- Controlling economic insect pests, especially the alfalfa weevil and potato leafhopper.
Included in
Mar 4th, 6:20 PM
Options for Managing Thin Alfalfa Stands
Alfalfa is the highest yielding, highest quality hay crop grown in Kentucky. Well cured alfalfa and alfalfa-grass hay is in high demand for dairy and in particular, horse owners. Alfalfa stands in Kentucky remain productive from four to as long as 8 years or more depending on several factors. Long stand life is favored by:
- Using an improved variety with high resistance to the major diseases of Kentucky and that is proven to be high yielding in relevant trials such as conducted at the University of Kentucky.
- Deep, well drained soils,
- Soils that have been limed to pH 6.8 and that have been fertilized according to soil test.
- Adequate annual fertility, including P and K,
- Prudent cutting schedules (allowing alfalfa to reach bud to first flower before harvest, not harvesting in the four to six weeks prior to a killing freeze),
- Controlling economic insect pests, especially the alfalfa weevil and potato leafhopper.