alfalfa - beck's hybrids

ALFALFAPLANTING GUIDE

2 | BECK’S

ALFALFAPLANTING GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FIELD SELECTION 4

ALFALFA SEED SELECTION 5

FALL DORMANCY 5

WINTERHARDINESS 6

FORAGE QUALITY 6

REGROWTH 10

DISEASE RESISTANCE 11

SEED TREATMENT 11

STAND ESTABLISHMENT 12

FIELD PREPARATION 12

SEEDING RATE 12

SPRING SEEDING 13

LATE-SUMMER SEEDING 13

EVALUATING STANDS 14

MANAGING WEEDS 15

MANAGING INSECTS 18

MANAGING FERTILITY 20

ROTATING OUT OF ALFALFA 21

AUTOTOXICITY 22

REPLANT 30

BECK’S VARIETIES 24

4 | BECK’S 5 | BECK’S

FIELD SELECTION

When planting alfalfa, one of the first things to consider is the condition of the field. Below are some factors to help make the decision easier:

� Well drained

� Highly productive

� History of low weed pressure

� Free from herbicide carryover

Consider planting alfalfa in soils that do not tend to hold water or stay wet very long. Higher levels of disease pressure can be associated with lower lying soils. Choose a field that will not limit yields in droughty conditions and has the least amount of risk when extreme weather occurs.

Maintain Soil pHAlfalfa requires a higher pH than corn or soybeans. Maintaining a pH of 6.7 or higher increases nutrient availability and is crucial in alfalfa production. The closer a field’s pH gets to 7.0 or neutral, the better the alfalfa performance. To help, apply lime well in advance of alfalfa seeding.

Alfalfa field selection is key for producing top yields. Choose fields that are well drained with good fertility.

ALFALFA SEED SELECTION

Alfalfa seed selection is a long-term decision. It is important to consider the following to select the best variety for each farm:

� Forage quality

� Leafhopper management

� Stand persistence

� Compatibility to Roundup Ready® genetics

� Tonnage

Alfalfa stand life varies depending on the farmer and situation. Alfalfa stands typically stay in production for three to four years to maximize production. Given the expected life of the stand, seed selection is a top priority. Consider varieties with excellent persistence and robust agronomic characteristics.

Fall DormancyGenerally farmers in the Midwest and upper Midwest should select varieties between a 4.0 to 5.0 fall dormancy. Fall dormancy is an indicator of how late a variety grows in the fall compared to the industry standard. It can be measured by a variety’s growth in the fall and green-up in the spring.

For example, a variety with a fall dormancy of 4.0 stops growing earlier in the fall than a variety with a fall dormancy of 5.0; however, a variety of 5.0 will greenup and start to grow earlier in the spring than that of a 4.0 variety.


1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6

WinterhardinessWinterhardiness is a measurement of winter survivability. It is measured on a scale of one to six, with one being the most winterhardy and six being the least winterhardy. In geographies that experience freezing temperatures with minimal snow cover, selecting varieties with lower ratings is important. The lower the number, the better winter survival.

WINTERHARDINESS IN THE UNITED STATES

Forage QualityBeck’s has conducted extensive research on our alfalfa varieties for both forage quality and yield through plant breeders, third-party research plots, and our own research plots. Be sure to not only factor in yield, but also forage quality ratings when selecting alfalfa seed. Most high-yielding alfalfas can vary when comparing quality ratings, and at Beck’s, we only test our

varieties against high-performing competitive varieties. Harvest alfalfa when forage quality is highest during its early growth stage.

GROWTH STAGE QUALITY YIELD

Early Pre-Bud High Medium

Bud Med/Low Med/High

Early Bloom Medium High

Full Bloom Med/Low Highest

RECOMMENDED MIDWEST CUTTING SCHEDULES FOR DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT GOALS

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160

JUNE 1

PERS

ISTE

NCE

QUAL

ITY

YIEL

D AN

D QU

ALIT

Y

JULY 1 AUG. 1 SEPT. 1 OCT. 1 OCT. 27

35-40 days

28-33 days

30-35 days

30-35 days

38-55 days

28-33 days

35-40 days

Cutting Recommended

No Cutting Recommended

CUTTING INTERVAL (DAYS AFTER MAY 25)

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160

JUNE 1

PERS

ISTE

NCE

QUAL

ITY

YIEL

D AN

D QU

ALIT

Y

JULY 1 AUG. 1 SEPT. 1 OCT. 1 OCT. 27

35-40 days

28-33 days

30-35 days

30-35 days

38-55 days

28-33 days

35-40 days

Cutting Recommended

No Cutting Recommended

CUTTING INTERVAL (DAYS AFTER MAY 25)


Forage Quality Terms

CRUDE PROTEIN (CP)

The capacity of the feed to meet the animal’s protein needs.

Normal Range: 18-24%

ACID DETERGENT FIBER (ADF)

The percentage of highly indigestible and slowly digestible material, including cellulose, lignin, pectin, and ash. Lower ADF indicates a more digestible forage.


NEUTRAL DETERGENT FIBER

(NDF)

The structural components of the plant, specifically cell wall. NDF is a predictor of voluntary intake because it provides bulk or fill. In general, low NDF values are desired because NDF increases as forages mature.


NEUTRAL DETERGENT FIBER

DIGESTIBILITY (NDFD)

The percentage of the NDF digested by animals in a specific period (24, 30, or 48 hours).

Normal Range: 30 Hr 33-25% 48 Hr 41-53%

LIGNIN

The indigestible component of the plant that increases with plant maturity.

Normal Range: 5.5-7.5%

RELATIVE FORAGE QUALITY (RFQ)

An index for ranking forages by potential intake of digestible matter where 150 is considered milking dairy-quality feed.

TOTAL DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS (TDN)

An estimate of the total digestible energy of a forage.


RegrowthThe ability of an alfalfa variety to grow back after harvest directly relates to its ability to generate yield. Most varieties offer data on regrowth. When selecting alfalfa seed, consider the variety’s ability to recover after harvest.

Typical Tap Rooted Variety vs. Branch Rooted Variety

Regrowth of CavlaryDQ vs. Regrowth of Competitor

Although all alfalfa plants are tap rooted, some varieties have more expressed branch roots. These branch rooted alfalfa varieties should be planted in lower lying or sandier soils.

Disease ResistanceSix diseases are commonly tested and used to rate alfalfa varieties. They are scored on a scale from one to five, with five being the best. Therefore, a variety that scores a rating of 30 carries a five for each disease. The diseases listed below may kill seedlings, reduce stand density, and lower yields.

� Anthracnose

� Aphanomyces Root Rot (1 and 2)

� Bacterial Wilt

� Fusarium Wilt

� Phytophthora

� Verticillium

Beck’s elite alfalfa varieties are protected by our Escalate® yield enhancement system, which reduces stand loss due to seedling diseases. Escalate seed treatment protects seedlings against Aphanomyes, Fusarium, and Phytophthora. It includes:

� Hydroloc QS

� Apron XL® LS and Stamina fungicides

� Nitragin Gold inoculation


STAND ESTABLISHMENT

Seed selection is just one of the keys to achieving a successful alfalfa stand. No matter how good the seed is, poor planting practices will never return a satisfying stand of alfalfa. Remember, the decisions made during stand establishment will more than likely affect the results you see for the life of the stand.

Field Preparation � A fine, firm seedbed is needed

� Start weed free and clean with good seed-to-soil contact

� Consider no-till

� Alfalfa is a tiny seed and must absorb 125 percent of its weight in water to germinate

Seeding Rate and Depth � Drill 18 to 22 lb./A.

� 69 live plants/sq.ft. emerged

� 40 percent survival after year one = 27 plants/sq.ft.

0-10 DAYS 10-15 DAYS

HYPOCOTYL

SECOND LEAF, TRIOLIATE

FIRST LEAF, UNIFOLIATE

EPICOTYLCOTYLEDON

� ¼” to ½” planting depth; alfalfa seed is unlikely to emerge if planted too deep

� Increase seeding rates by 20 percent if broadcasting

Spring Seeding � April to early May

� Ensure adequate soil moisture

� Consider a companion crop, such as oats, and plant at one Bu./A.

Late-Summer Seeding � Allow for six weeks of growth before a freeze

� A seed will typically survive winter if the crown develops

� Ensure adequate soil moisture is available

� Planting a companion crop can limit moisture availability and is not recommended

� Alfalfa needs six to eight weeks to set a crown and protect the plant from harsh conditions

15-30 DAYS


STEMS/SQ.FT. ESTIMATED YIELD POTENTIAL

>56 100%

50 90%

45 81%

40 72%

35 62%

30 53%

25 44%

Source: Undersander, D. Grau, C. Cosgrove, D. 2011. Alfalfa stand assessment: Is this stand good enough to keep? A3620. University of

Wisconsin Cooperative Extension.

Evaluating New Stand Establishment

At first glance, alfalfa stands can appear thin or look like less than an adequate amount of seeds emerged. Patience will likely help in this situation. In many cases, a stand can appear thin, but when measured, it turns out to be ideal.

� Ideal emergence should be between 40 to 50 plants/sq.ft.

� Stand counts should be 20 plants/sq.ft. the first year after establishment.

� Keep in mind a 50 to 60 percent emergence rate is successful.

� A stand with 12 plants/sq.ft. can yield well.

Evaluating Older StandsEvaluate older stands by counting stems/sq.ft. Use the chart below to help guide decisions on whether to keep an alfalfa field in production.

MANAGING WEEDS

Weed management is important in both the establishment year and throughout the life of the stand. Weeds during the establishment year can choke out young seedlings, resulting in thin stands, while older stands will have reduced yield and forage quality. There are many options in weed control, especially with the availability of the Roundup Ready® technology.

Roundup Ready® Alfalfa � Flexibility in newly established stands

� Controls a broader spectrum of weeds

� Fewer restrictions on application timing

� Fewer harvest restrictions

Conventional Weed ControlThe chart on the next page provides information regarding the efficacy of herbicides commonly used in alfalfa. As with any herbicide, please contact your local chemical retailer and always read and follow label instructions.


CHAT

EAU

BUTY

RAC

(2

,4-DB

)

GLYP

HOSA

TE

(FOR

USE

ON

RR

ALFA

LFA

ONLY

)

Alfalfa Tolerance G/E F/G E

Annual Weeds

Field Pennycress E F/G E

Foxtail Supp G/E N E

Night-Flowering Catchfly -- P --

Shepherd’s Purse E F/FG E

Virginia Pepperweed -- F/G --

Biennial Weeds

Spotted Knapweed P F G/E

Perennial Weeds

Canada Thistle P P G/E

Curly Dock P P --

Dandelion P P G

Hemp Dogbane P N E

Hoary Alyssum P F --

Orange Hawkweed P N --

Quackgrass P P G/E

Sowthistle, Perennial P P E

White Cockle P P F/G

Wirestem Muhly P N E

Yellow Rocket P P G/E

E = EXCELLENT G = GOOD F = FAIR

POAS

T PL

US

(SET

HOXY

DIM)

PROW

L

SELE

CT

(CLE

THOD

IM)

PURS

UIT

METR

IBUZ

IN

RAPT

OR

VELP

AR

(HEX

AZID

ONE)

G E G G G/G G G/G

N P N F G E G

G G/E G F/G G G/E G

N -- N -- G -- G

N F/G N G/E G G/E G

N -- N -- G -- G

N P N -- F -- N

N P N P P P/F N

N P N P F P/F F

N P N P F/G P/F F/G

N P N P P -- N

N P N P F/G F G

B P N -- P -- N

F/G P F/G P F/G P/F F/G

N P N P N G N

N P N P F P/F F

F/G P F/G P P P/F F

N P N F/G F/G F/G G

Source: Adapted from Penz, University of Wisconsin, 2010.

P = POOR N = NO CONTROL -- = NO DATA


MANAGING INSECTSAlfalfa WeevilsAlfalfa Weevils are one of the more common insects that cause trouble in alfalfa. The Alfalfa Weevil is a pest typically seen early in the season and attacks the first cutting of alfalfa.

� Scout in mid-May

� Treat fields when 40 percent of plant tips show signs of damage

� Harvest within ten days of projected harvest date

� In heavier infestations, monitor pressure immediately following harvest

Potato Leafhoppers

Potato Leafhoppers are another insect common in alfalfa, but attack later in the season. In many cases where a Leafhopper

Leafhopper damageWeevil damage

7266605448423630241812

60

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 +24

Source: Mark Sulc and Ron Hammond, The Ohio State University, 2004

No Treatment Necessary

Spray if Less Than 50%

PLH Resistance

Spray as Soon as Possible

Spray if Harvest is More Than 7

Days Away

resistant variety is not used, an insecticide application will be required.

� Scout frequently — new seedings are more susceptible

� Use an insect sweep in 10 areas of the field

� Be careful not to confuse Potato Leafhopper feeding for nutrient deficiency

The chart below indicates when an insecticide application is necessary.

ALFALFA HEIGHT (IN INCHES)

LEAF

HOPP

ERS/

10 S

WEE

PS

The management of these pests is dependent on good scouting and monitoring the weather forecasts so harvest can continue on schedule. Early detection will improve the chances of suc-cess against pests.


MANAGING FERTILITY

Starting with good fertility and maintaining levels throughout the life of the stand is crucial to successful alfalfa production. Soil testing is necessary for any crop production and needs to be done every three to four years. Sample in the fall or as early as possible before seeding.

The important nutrients, based on 8 ton DM alfalfa are:

� 96 lb./A. Phosphate (P205)

� 390 lb./A. Potassium (K20)

� 1-2 lb./A. Boron (B)

� 45 lb./A. Sulfur (S)

Phosphorous and PotassiumBecause of the limited mobility of both phosphorus and potassium in the soil, it is highly recommended to start with optimum high fertility levels or deep placement of phosphorous and potassium prior to seeding, along with maintenance applications throughout stand life.

BoronBoron is typically the only micronutrient requiring regular applications in alfalfa. It is applied at 2 to 3 lb./A. alfalfa needs boron for many reasons, including the proper development of nodules and overall root growth. Boron application is not recommended prior to or at seeding, as it can be toxic to seedlings.

ROTATING OUT OF ALFALFA

Deciding when to rotate out of alfalfa will require an analysis of your individual farm plans and an evaluation of stand density and yield potential. Since this needs to be done on a farm-by-farm basis, use this as a guide to help in your decision making process.

� Make stand decisions in the fall when alfalfa is four to six in. tall.

� Evaluate weed pressure and the cost of a herbicide program to maintain the alfalfa. Is the cost of not using a herbicide program worth harvesting lower quality forage?

� Refer to the Evaluating Older Stands chart on page 14 to determine the yield potential of thinning alfalfa stands.

� As the stand continues to thin beyond productive yields, consider the nitrogen credits available for the next crop. Nitrogen credits come from a positive carbon/nitrogen ratio of the residue. More residue releases more nitrogen when broken down.

� No matter how thin the stand, do not reseed an existing alfalfa field with alfalfa.

� Our recommendation is to plant a different crop for one season before returning to alfalfa.


AutotoxicityEstablished alfalfa stands produce toxins that can reduce the germination of new alfalfa seedlings and potentially reduce root development in plants that do make it through germination. These toxins are typically released one year after planting. The comparison below shows the effects of alfalfa autotoxicity on newly seeded alfalfa.

FIELD SEEDED DIRECTLY AFTER A TWO-YEAR ALFALFA

CROP WAS TERMINATED.

FIELD SEEDED IN NORMAL CONDITIONS.

COMPARED TO

University of Minnesota


Planting alfalfa provides many beneficial opportunities for farmers, both financially and nutritionally. High yielding, high quality alfalfa is a valuable revenue stream. Perennial alfalfa stands provide improved soil health.

Count on Beck’s to provide a quality line of alfalfa to best match your goals.

� ARMOUR RR � CALVARYDQ � ENFORCEHT � FIERCE � LEAFGUARD II

ALFALFAVARIETIES

ARMOUR RR

RecoveryRoot TypeStandabilityForage YieldForage Quality

FastTap

ExcellentExcellentExcellent

DiseaseAnthracnoseAphanomyces Race 1 and 2Bacterial WiltFusarium WiltPhytophthoraVerticillium Wilt

Highly Resistant

DISEASE RESISTANCE INDEX

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

� An excellent yielding, high forage quality Genuity® Roundup Ready® alfalfa that can be planted on a majority of soil types across the Midwest

� Aphanomyces Race 1 and 2 resistance provides root rot protection for an optimal stand

� High-yielding variety under 3, 4 and 5-cut harvest management

� A great weed control option paired with an excellent all-around agronomic variety

4.2 2.2 30FALL

DORMANCYWINTER-

HARDINESSDISEASE

RESISTANCE


CALVARYDQ


FastTap

ExcellentExcellentExcellent

DiseaseAnthracnoseAphanomyces Race 1 Bacterial WiltFusarium WiltPhytophthoraVerticillium Wilt

Highly Resistant



� Bred for outstanding yield potential while delivering superior forage quality

� Multi-leaf expression

� Dairy quality (DQ) alfalfa

� High-quality forage attributes comparable to similar non-GMO reduced lignin alfalfas

4.0 2.0 30FALL

DORMANCYWINTER-

HARDINESSDISEASE

RESISTANCE

ENFORCEHT


Very FastTap

GoodExcellent

Good

DiseaseAnthracnoseAphanomyces Race 1Bacterial WiltFusarium WiltPhytophthoraVerticillium Wilt

Highly Resistant



� High-ton genetics with outstanding yield potential

� Superior stand persistence and very fast recovery after harvest

� Handles wheel traffic exceptionally well

� Early spring greenup and later fall growth to maximize the harvest season

5.0 1.9 30FALL

DORMANCYWINTER-

HARDINESSDISEASE

RESISTANCE


FIERCE


FastTap/Branch

GoodExcellentExcellent

DiseaseAnthracnoseAphanomyces Race 1 & 2 Bacterial WiltFusarium WiltPhytophthoraVerticillium Wilt

Highly Resistant



� High-yielding alfalfa bred for the toughest soils

� Excellent disease package with Aphanomyces Race 1 and 2 resistance

� Exceptional stand persistence with fast regrowth

� A high-quality forage variety paired with excellent disease resistance

4.0 2.0 30FALL

DORMANCYWINTER-

HARDINESSDISEASE

RESISTANCE

LEAFGUARD II


Very FastTap

GoodExcellent

Good

DiseaseAnthracnoseAphanomyces Race 1Bacterial WiltFusarium WiltPhytophthoraVerticillium WiltLeafhopper

Highly Resistant



� A true “no spray” variety with eighth generation leafhopper protection

� Dark green, fine stemmed and highly palatable

� A high-yielding PLH product with great agronomics

� Excellent disease rating and winterhardiness to ensure a long, productive stand life

4.0 2.0 30FALL

DORMANCYWINTER-

HARDINESSDISEASE

RESISTANCE

30 | BECK’S

We hope this guide has been helpful as you consider planting alfalfa. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss alfalfa in more detail, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ryan Moore.

Ryan Moore Small Seed Product Manager [email protected] 317.565.4059

Replant

Some years the weather does not cooperate with growing alfalfa. That’s why Beck’s offers a one-time replant policy on all of our elite alfalfa varieties during stand establishment. If you think you may need to replant, a Beck’s representative can help you decide if replant is the best option and Beck’s will provide the seed free of charge.

Due to the unique cropping practices do not plant Roundup Ready® Alfalfa in Imperial County, California, pending import approvals and until Forage Genetics International, LLC (FGI) grants express permission for such planting. Forage Genetics International, LLC (“FGI”) is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). FGI products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with FGI’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Roundup Ready® Alfalfa has pending import approvals. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Growers should refer to http://www.biotradestatus.com/ for any updated information on import country approvals. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate. Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Roundup Ready® is registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, used under license by Forage Genetics International, LLC. Apron XL® is a trademark of a Syngenta Group Company.

B E C KS H Y B R I DS.CO M 800.937.2325

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