Renovating alfalfa acreage, options, ideas?

jimgerken · Sep 25, 2013

I had a lot of areas of winter-kill of alfalfa this year. It might have been the ice, might have been the drought in the Fall, or combination of factors. Anyway, there are areas that came back thick and nice and areas that nothing but grass is growing. I understand how alfalfa has that autotoxicity "feature" that stops alfalfa seeds from germinating where there is mature alfalfa is growing. How long does this effect remain in the soil? If it is sprayed to kill it, how soon would replanting be succesful?
If I could figure out how to work in the grassy areas between nice stands of alfalfa, and spray, dig, and re-seed the alfalfa in those areas only, would that be a good idea, or not? These areas have been devoid of alfalfa all this season. Is that long enough? Some of the existing and growing alfalfa is only a couple years old. I really hate spraying the good stuff. How close can I plant to existing, and get the seeds to germinate?
There are probably nutrient issues with the soil here too, and that is being examined. Most of it was cowyard for years and years. May need lime.
Thanks for anything you can offer guys!

bigbull338 · Sep 25, 2013

1st off how old is that alfalfa stand that your talking about.if the winter kill isnt to bad you might be able to spot reseed it.but if the stand is 5yrs old or older youd be better off replanting the whole field.

Tx Jim · Sep 25, 2013

bigbull338 said:
1st off how old is that alfalfa stand that your talking about.if the winter kill isnt to bad you might be able to spot reseed it.but if the stand is 5yrs old or older youd be better off replanting the whole field.

Alfalfa can't be spot reseeded. I think old Alfalfa will kill the new seedlings

Fossil Farm · Sep 25, 2013

How big are the affected areas? Quarter acre, half acre, larger? Tilling small areas may cause more harm to the existing alfalfa stand than it is worth. You say the stand is 2 years old. How long do you wish to keep the stand going? If it works into your plans, possibly seeding some clovers in the grassy areas may be best for now if they are not too wet or if they continue to be wet, stay with an acceptable grass until you can get some tile drainage in those areas if needed. If the crowns got frost heaved, it may just happen again with a new alfalfa seeding in those wet areas.

jimgerken · Sep 27, 2013

The total field area is 10 acres. In that 10 acres, there are patches of an acre size that look fantastic, and areas of 1/4 to 1 acre that have nothing but grass after last winter killed what little was there. The areas are large enough that it is tempting to go into them and spray and till up to the good alfalfa and spot re-plant alfalfa. According to what I have heard and read, the areas that are good stands of alfalfa won't allow a good germination next Spring if sprayed and tilled under today. So spot-replanting the areas that have nothing, and leaving the good areas, seems to be the only plan short of spraying it all and planting corn there next year.
As far as the long-term plan, I would prefer to have something low like hay grow in this area every year, since it is around the house and yard. But it looks like alfalfa has this one problem -- it has to be rotated out every few years and re-established.
I think I will make a call to the big seed house in Albert Lea and ask them for ideas before I nuke the whole area and plant corn next year.
Thanks guys.
Found this website... pretty good reference:
Alfalfa.Info

flusher · Sep 27, 2013

I'd use a spike harrow or equivalent on the bare spots to loosen the top 1 inch of soil and then plant alfalfa mixed with something that germinates quickly like grass seed or clover.

Deere14 · Jan 20, 2014

? When are you noticing the kill was there a plant at first depending could be alfalfa wevel sorry about spelling. My dad had a patch we bale and looked fine one week went back to inspect cause a friend said to check because they started to work on his field and he sprayed for them. But they will destroy it and look that way. Another key was we never cut a field after September to allow for growth so frost will have less of a chance to kill strong plant