alfalfa ground prep

IH10020 · Aug 21, 2014

Have 20 acres in s.w. mo. Ground is really dense it is just grass hay now. Am open to ideas about putting it in alfalfa as preparation, time and expense. Thanks in advance.

Allan in NE · Aug 21, 2014

I'd plow 'er up and drill it with oats as a cover crop next spring. But, that's "here".

Allan

Adirondack case guy · Aug 21, 2014

We do exactly what Allen said, here in central NY.
Loren, the ACG.

farmerwithmutt · Aug 21, 2014

around here (wisc)guys are grazing grass flat then spread seed in nov the seed will lay dormant till spring. for the cost of fuel and time you can spend extra on seed

DeltaRed · Aug 21, 2014

As Allen and Loren said........ western Colorado. Steve

IaGary · Aug 21, 2014

Yep as Allan said here in southern Iowa also.

Do a half job and end up with a half crop.

The grass will smother most the new alfalfa seedlings out with inner seeding.

Gary

Mikein Ky · Aug 21, 2014

I live in Ky and do it the way Allen does and always get a good stand. I drill the oats and then drill alfalfa and orchard grass on top of the ground and go over it with a packer. I have had trouble in the past with getting the alfalfa too deep with the drill.

VicS · Aug 21, 2014

We started about now this time last year. Sprayed and killed everything. Disked it then a rain later ran a du-all over it at least twice. Then cultimulched it twice with the teeth down. Sowed 20 lb, to acre of alfalfa with the fertilize. 200 lb. quick lime, 100 lb phosphate and 300 lb of potash, planted roundup ready alfalfa. Ran the cultimulcher over it with the teeth up. Just planted 7 acres. Baled 350 first cutting 400 second. Probably get 300 this labor day. Sprayed it twice with roundup and pounce. If a bale is worth 5 dollars that is 750 a acre. 4.00 corn is a better deal! But it does smell good and is something to do when it is hot! Oh I live in Southern Il. Vic

charlie n · Aug 21, 2014

You should spray to kill the existing cover.Then moldboard plow it and work it back down.It's needs lime and fertilizer also.To get the best job find a Brillion seeder.There are several in that area.

Go to Nixa Hardware's web site and click on seeds and then click alfalfa.They have good instructions for your region..

Good Luck.

hrRoss · Aug 21, 2014

spray it and no-till it with jd drill at 1/2" deep,we do it all the time here in wis, custom work

TGIN · Aug 22, 2014

I am with the plow it up and sow with oats in the spring crowd . It will work up better if you burn off the grass this fall or plow this fall . I like to make a good seedbed for a new hayfield . I use a old JohnDeere/VanBrunt drill with a cultipacker behind , always a good stand . S.E.Indiana

Nick m · Aug 22, 2014

Don"t forget soil tests.

GordoSD · Aug 22, 2014

Here in SD we don't get enough rain to do much plowing. Can't waste any.Tillage discs, and finish discs.And some sub soilers.

alfalfa ground prep

IH10020

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Allan in NE

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Adirondack case guy

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farmerwithmutt

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DeltaRed

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IaGary

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Mikein Ky

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VicS

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charlie n

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hrRoss

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TGIN

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Nick m

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GordoSD

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