When to cut first crop on first planting alfalfa?

JiminIowa · Jul 9, 2009

Hello, I planted some alfalfa in mid may and its coming up ok but there is quite a bit of foxtail just beginning to tassel. Should I cut it to eliminate those seeds? Majority of the alfalfa is 4-8 inches tall but kinda spotty.

gitrib · Jul 9, 2009

My dad use to raise Alfalfa in Iowa. Used Oat as a nurse crop-He combined the Oats and then mowed it and baled the straw and new Alfalfa, We use fall seedin down here and use herbicide to control weeds.
gitrib

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This was seeded last fall.

ChrisLSD · Jul 9, 2009

I would probably wait a while - the bigger the alf is the better for the plants it will be. also - if the alf grows quite a little the volume of foxtail heads to total volume will be less.

once the alf is established, the mowing schedule should keep the foxtail in check

cj in wisconsin · Jul 9, 2009

Where I live I have just been replanting. It just wont grow when it never rains, anyone know where I can get Saquaro cactus seeds that are frost resistant. :>)

tjdub · Jul 9, 2009

Once the alfalfa blooms, you had better cut it regardless of plant size. After that, you're just helping the weeds get established. And yeah, letting the weeds drop seed is insult to injury. After cutting, the alfalfa has the advantage against weeds.

In the spring, I drill oats with the alfalfa and make oat hay instead of seeding directly. At least that way I can get some hay off the field in June. I don't imagine the first cut of a spring seeded alfalfa stand is going to amount to much in the way of hay.

When to cut first crop on first planting alfalfa?

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