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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Alfalfa seeding lack of moisture/ Last cutting que

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Joe in IN

09-02-2005 06:09:49




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2 questions.

I planted 10 acres 2 weeks ago... not a drop of rain since, even Katrina Missed me.... The next 10-14 days nobody is calling for rain... The normal planting time for Alfalfa in Indiana is Aug 1 - Sept 1. First Normal frost is Oct 10. Assuming I don't get rain until the 15th of Sept. this leaves 26 days until average first frost. Did all my money, time and effort go to waste???


Second Question, Ready to cut last cutting, it has been 36 days, still no flowers(buds are very tiny and not many of them). Every other time flowers have presented themselves right at 30 days. Do i go ahead and make the last cutting or wait? Typically Sept 15th is last time one is supposed to cut...(I do want to hit this dry spell because once it's over, my luck says it will rain for weeks on end...)

FYI in West Lafayette Indiana, good soil and the ground is dry as a bone(actually drier than a bone).....

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IH 1466

09-04-2005 07:10:38




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 Re: Alfalfa seeding lack of moisture/ Last cutting in reply to Joe in IN, 09-02-2005 06:09:49  
I wouldn't worry a alot about it. Bud and bloom can be misleading indicator when to cut. Shoter days and cooler weather will slow the the blooms down. Your ready to cut if its been 36 days and the weather is dry. I cut my alfalfa that was seeded into my wheat in March last week. Looks like I got about 80% looking real good. I mudded the other 20% in the last good rain we had 3 weeks ago. I seeded during a nice easy shower. I am going to wait now till early spring and seed where it might look like it might need it. If you overseed with a broadcast seeder like a Herd seeder you want the ground sticky. I some times drag a spike tooth harrow to scratch the soil up in the thin spots. I guess my advise is let it be and you will be suprised what will come through in the spring then seed where it looks thin. Lets us know how it turns out. No two seasons are exactly alike and you can never know what will happen once you seed it, but one thing is for sure you have to seed it if you want to cut it. Good Luck.

Best Regards,
John

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hayray

09-03-2005 04:12:13




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 Re: Alfalfa seeding lack of moisture/ Last cutting in reply to Joe in IN, 09-02-2005 06:09:49  
You will be alright. The same thing happened to me in Michigan this spring after no-till, no rain in April and May except for a few 5 minute showers for two months, the cutting came up great. You will get a lot of moisture from dew and the first frost won't necessarily stop it growing right away. I would go a head and cut that last cutting right now, you never know what the weather will be after this good weather.

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paul

09-02-2005 18:21:24




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 Re: Alfalfa seeding lack of moisture/ Last cutting in reply to Joe in IN, 09-02-2005 06:09:49  
1. Won't know until spring green-up. Could have frost next week, or could come 3 weeks late - who knows for sure? Don't worry about it, nothing to do now.

2. Cut it.

--->Paul



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ChrisLSD

09-02-2005 13:48:19




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 Re: Alfalfa seeding lack of moisture/ Last cutting in reply to Joe in IN, 09-02-2005 06:09:49  
hate to be the nondesenter but i decided it was too late and too dry - if it rains in a week and only gives a couple of weeks to grow a hard freez could kill it all - BUT on the bright side - just like me - i figure my area is ready for early spring tillage and i will just plant it early next year - you might want to buy some extra alfalfa seed and spread it next spring and drag it arounf a bit i would n't have too high of hopes

but anything can happen

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broker farmer

09-02-2005 06:31:58




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 Re: Alfalfa seeding lack of moisture/ Last cutting in reply to Joe in IN, 09-02-2005 06:09:49  
Go ahead and cut your alfalfa. Length of day is affecting the bloom time. If you see buds, you'll be OK. Also by cutting your alfalfa, you'll be hoping it doesn't rain which will get your mind off the fact that it isn't raining on your new seeding. If it's that dry there the seeds will wait on the moisture. Hope it all works out for you.



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mike brown

09-02-2005 09:57:17




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 Re: Alfalfa seeding lack of moisture/ Last cutting in reply to broker farmer, 09-02-2005 06:31:58  
Joe, Broker is probably right. The best way to make it rain is to cut hay. You might want to wash your car for added measure. Seriously don't lose sleep over it , Nothing will grow if you don't put seeds in the ground and that alfalfa wants to live just as much as you want it to.



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