Farmers Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
After a longer than average winter in the Midwest, assessing spring stands will be particularly important to a successful alfalfa crop this year. Here are a few important steps to take that will help you gauge levels of winterkill and winter injury, assess damage accurately and take the proper steps forward.
As you walk your field, excavate several alfalfa plants with a spade or shovel aiming to retrieve at least six inches of root tissue. When examining the roots, look for the following:
If certain parts of the field look healthier than others, be sure to take root samplings from each area. This will allow you to get a better understanding of your field’s health overall.
Wait until your crop is growing vigorously to take your stand counts; the recommended time is typically when alfalfa is two- to four-inches tall. To get an accurate assessment, throw an alfalfa square and count the number of plants and stems that fall within the border of the square.
If your field is relatively consistent, take one count per acre otherwise take two per acre. Remember to only count plants that are healthy and will survive. Any winterkilled plants should not be counted as to avoid an inaccurate reading and plan for your crop moving forward. A good rule of thumb is that plants with only one to three stems growing out of one side should not be counted.
Newer recommendations for measuring yield potential for an existing stand use the stems per square foot as a more accurate measure of yield potential for an existing stand.
If stem density is:
If you do need to keep winter-injured crops for the coming season, you’ll want to be sure to pay special attention to them.
Not all crop injury can be avoided, but taking these steps to assess damage and establish a plan to move forward will help you get the most out of your crop heading into summer.