With a dose of moisture from Mother Nature alfalfa and forage producers may have a reason to be more optimistic as they look ahead to the 2019 production season.
Alexandre Caldeira Rocateli, a forage systems Extension specialist and assistant professor at Oklahoma State University, notes that according to the Oklahoma Mesonet, the statewide precipitation in the past 30 days was 4.28 inches. That amount was 2.67 inches higher than the 30-year normal precipitation of 1981-2010, and as a result the past 30 days was recorded as the fourth wettest during that span.
“If the favorable trend continues, we will have good amounts of soil water storage for a promising alfalfa crop and pastures,” Rocateli said.
However, Oklahoma weather is unpredictable where every promising season can turn to a challenging one in a matter of days, he cautions. Producers need only look back to 2018.
“For example, good rainfall and temperature from mid-February to late-March in 2018 allowed a good alfalfa season start in 2018; however, a late hard freeze in early April caught some alfalfa producers by surprise,” Rocateli said. “At that time, plants were 15 to 20 inches high and close to bud stage and completely frozen. In this case, the best option was to remove the dead canopy and wait for regrowth. Hopefully, the frost was not severe enough to kill the plants’ crowns; however, it slowed plant regrowth.”
Stay proactive
Any alfalfa producer who has a proactive management approach has reasons to be optimistic in any scenario, he said. Soil testing; appropriate seed variety selection; proper irrigation (if available); scouting for weeds, diseases and insects for a timely efficient control; proper harvest timing; curing; baling and storage are crucial steps for a successful alfalfa operation, Rocateli said.
In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers alfalfa and other crops management resources for the entire state. Do not hesitate to contact the educator in your county if you have any questions regarding alfalfa production.
New opportunities
Regarding alfalfa, Rocateli has received more calls and emails from producers, area Extension agents and county educators asking about the new alfalfa varieties performance in Oklahoma. Stakeholders are highly interested in low-lignin and Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties’ performance in the state.
“In my opinion, this is a sign that producers might be more optimistic about alfalfa production in recent years,” he said. “That’s why, in my opinion, it is important to revive the OK Alfalfa Variety Trial program and foster an Alfalfa Grower Association.”
New fields
If producers are considering to seed new alfalfa fields, they need to be aware of couple things before planting:
1. Autotoxicity: Alfalfa produces toxins that reduce seed germination of new alfalfa seedlings; therefore seed alfalfa in fields that are absent of alfalfa for, at least, a year.
2. Soil testing: Proper fertility management and adequate liming for a soil pH 6.7 to 6.9 are essential for optimum yields.
3. Variety selection: Consider yield potential, persistence, winter hardiness, disease resistance and forage quality traits when selecting a variety for your specific location.
4. Seed-bed preparation: A firm soil bed, absent of soil clods and weeds, is key for a successful establishment.
5. Seed timing: Fall seeding (i.e., late August to early September) is the best timing for Oklahoma conditions.
Established fields
If producers are managing established fields, they should consider:
1. Fertilize yearly: Every year alfalfa removes a great amount of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and other nutrients from soils; therefore soil analysis for proper fertilization is recommended yearly.
2. Weed control: Weeds reduce alfalfa forage quality and yields. Proper fertility is your best weed control by making alfalfa more competitive against weeds; however, herbicide application may be necessary in some cases. Always read the product label for application directions and grazing/haying restrictions.
3. Disease control: There are few economic disease control options; however, knowing which disease is present in a specific field can help you to select resistant varieties for your area in future.
4. Insect control: Scouting and controlling insects at early stages are key for success.
5. Harvest timing: For balanced forage yield, quality and good stand longevity, harvest alfalfa stands at 28 days of re-growth. Early harvests will decrease persistence and excessively increase forage quality. On the other hand, late harvests will maximize persistence but decrease forage quality.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
