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Fall Planting Alfalfa and Timothy

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Joe in IN

07-28-2005 06:37:17

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Once I fixed my drill the way she should work I have found the minimum amount of seed I can drop is about 10-12lbs(of alfalfa or grass seed) per acre.

I really would like to drop less especially on the timothy field as I would like to drill North south and then East west for better coverage.

I thought of 'thinning' the seed by using an annual such as rye or oats. That way I can drop 20 lbs of seed on two passes but only 10 of timothy. What is best to use. I do not want oat or wheat hay in the spring. I would like for whatever I use to die in the winter so I have a clean field come spring. Anyone have some suggestions?

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Jimmy King

07-28-2005 11:17:44

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Re: Fall Planting Alfalfa and Timothy in reply to Joe in IN, 07-28-2005 06:37:17

I always liked to sow at least #20 of alfalfa seed, but take the tubes off under the seed box and let it fall and just make one pass.

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Broker Farmer

07-28-2005 09:38:02

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Re: Fall Planting Alfalfa and Timothy in reply to Joe in IN, 07-28-2005 06:37:17

Depending on when you can get it sowed this fall you probably don't need a cover crop unless you will have an erosion problem. The cover crop then is important because it comes on faster and provides better ground cover for winter. SImply make one pass with only alfalfa in the drill, then add your 10 lbs of timothy on the second pass. You will end up with 20-24 total pounds of alfalfa and 10 lbs of timothy when done. I would choose spring oats for the cover crop if needed. They will provide quick and adequate ground cover for winter and will die out before spring. You'll be left with a dead, brown looking field all winter but your timothy and alfalfa plants will thrive under the cover. I'm from Missouri and our optimum planting time for grass/legumes in the fall is August 20- Sept 10. A late planting date will also dictate whether or not to use a cover crop. If you plant it too late and the alfalfa doesn't make it, you'll be glad you've at least got something next spring. Good luck to you.

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Joe in IN

07-28-2005 11:42:37

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Re: Fall Planting Alfalfa and Timothy in reply to Broker Farmer, 07-28-2005 09:38:02

I had wheat, which is off now, so the field is mine to work. Plenty of time to get alfalfa established planting date in north Central Indiana(West Lafayette) is around Aug 15 - Sept 1. So I have plenty of time. Might try the oats....

I actually am splitting my 10 acres in half... 5 alfalfa and 5 timothy. I wasn't planning on mixing anything in with the timothy to get a pure stand. Do you think I can get decent money from horse people with pure timothy?

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kyhayman

07-28-2005 20:50:10

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Re: Fall Planting Alfalfa and Timothy in reply to Joe in IN, 07-28-2005 11:42:37

Pure timothy $120 per ton ($3.00 per bale)FOB, $180 delivered 20 miles to farm store. Pure alfalfa, $120 a ton. Mixed alfafa and timothy, $120 a ton.

I used to do pure stands. Now going all mixed, even on wet ground, I just use the cheap varietiesthere. To max timothy yields I need 300# ammonium nitrate per acre which costs $45.00. Buffalo, coated costs me $1.50 a pound. 20# of seed saves me $15.00 an acre on N costs and makes two more cuttings too.

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mike brown

07-28-2005 15:51:19

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Re: Fall Planting Alfalfa and Timothy in reply to Joe in IN, 07-28-2005 11:42:37

Hi Joe;
Around here (centralNY) most people don't use a drill to plant hay. We have the local fertilizer company blend the seed with the fertilizer and spray it on the field. Then we roll it and pick stones. The application cost is very resonable (they want to sell the fert. and seed). If your keen to use your fixed up drill take off the drop tubes so the seed scatters a bit sideways and fills the gap between rows as was mentioned.

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broker farmer

07-29-2005 06:24:02

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Re: Fall Planting Alfalfa and Timothy in reply to mike brown, 07-28-2005 15:51:19

It takes a good applicator/operator to spread seed with those big rigs. Also be aware that most of the fert/seed company's won't stand the cost of the seed if their rig breaks down. Example: They have all the seed mixed in with the fertilizer, arrive at your farm...make one round and break down. So it's 20 miles back to the shop..... .minimum 4-8 hour delay (if you're lucky)..... .....meanwhile your seed is sitting in there salting out like crazy..... ..extremely hard on germination! My theory on alfalfa seeding rate: The more plants per acre the better since you have a normal steady decline of plants per acre per year. The "common" varieties cost 1/3 of the "new and improved(?)" varieties. They say sow 20 pounds of their $4.00 seed. I can sow 40 pounds of my $1.10-1.50 seed and have much less cost per acre and end up with (theoretically) twice the number of plants. In the long run, it is the total number of plants per acre that determines yield. End of sermon.

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