alfalfa production in georgia (or similar areas in the south) dennis hancock, phd. extension forage...
TRANSCRIPT
Alfalfa Production in Georgia(or similar areas in the South)
Alfalfa Production in Georgia(or similar areas in the South)
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
Interested in producing alfalfa?
Interested in producing alfalfa?
Either I’m going to:
1. Talk you into growing alfalfa.
OR
2.Talk you out of growing alfalfa.
Alfalfa in GAAlfalfa in GA
• Very valuable ($140-200++/ton)
• Very high quality forage (when harvested correctly)
• High yielding (5-8 tons/acre)
• Performs best under irrigation
Alfalfa Hay Costs – 2009 (projected)
Cost Per TonVariable Costs: $109.61Variable Costs: $109.61
Poor Soil FertilityPoor Soil Fertility
Drying ConditionsDrying ConditionsIt’s Too NEEDYIt’s Too NEEDY
Not Enough LaborNot Enough Labor
Too RiskyToo Risky
Lack of Marketing SkillLack of Marketing SkillDiseasesDiseases
Pest ControlPest Control
Blister BeetleBlister Beetle
Poor
Best
Species, Soil, and Management
Species, Soil, and Management
Soil C
on
dit
ion
s
Management Skill and InputRequired
PerfectionPerfection
Best
Bermudagrass
Perennial Peanut
AlfalfaAlfalfa
Soil Conditions for AlfalfaSoil Conditions for Alfalfa
•Well-drained, deep soils Deep taproot
•Soil pH maintained > 6.5 (6.2)
•Major nutrients should be balanced P-K
•Minor nutrients needed (B, Mo)
Aluminum Toxicity – Low Soil pH
Aluminum Toxicity – Low Soil pH
Effect of Gypsum on Roots
Alfafa
Control Gypsum
Alf
alf
a
control treated
Nutrients removed per acre of dryland and irrigated
alfalfa.
Nutrients removed per acre of dryland and irrigated
alfalfa.
Selecting the Right Alfalfa Variety
Selecting the Right Alfalfa Variety
• Dormancy rating of 5 to 8. Rating (1-10) based on growth
after September 1. Winter survival in the North.
• Disease resistance: > MR to phytophthora root rot (PRR),
anthracnose (An), bacterial wilt (Bw), and fusarium wilt (Fw), as well as a R rating to aphanomyces root rot (APH).
• Varieties: Bulldog 505 or 805
Selecting the Right Alfalfa Variety
Selecting the Right Alfalfa Variety
•Persistence Particularly if to be
grazed
•YieldsVariety Est.
YrYr. 2 Yr. 3
----- lbs DM/acre -----
Bulldog 805
4799 14036 9525
Alfagraze 2957 10840 7284
Fla. 77 5159 12939 8149
Planting Alfalfa: LV & Piedmont
Planting Alfalfa: LV & Piedmont
1) Well-prepared, firm seedbed Pack-plant-pack method
– Cultipacking seeder (Brillion)– Broadcast – (Distant 3rd) Drilled
2) No-till into suppressed sod
Timing: mid-Sep to late-Oct
Planting Alfalfa: Coastal Plain
Planting Alfalfa: Coastal Plain
1) Well-prepared, firm seedbed Pack-plant-pack method
– Broadcast or Drilled– Cultipacking seeder (Brillion)
2) (Distant) No-till into suppressed sod
- Acceptable if interseeding into bermudagrass sod
Timing: mid-Oct to early Dec
Inoculate Legume Seed
The population of the specific Rhizobium (Rhizobium meliloti) is likely to be very low in the soil.
•Inoculate seed with fresh inoculant before seeding.
1 bag of inoculant per bag of seed. Use a “sticker” material.
•Alfalfa seed often comes pre-inoculated. coated with an inert material, usually lime, saves time and helps to ensure inoculation check expiration date
Seed Quality Concerns
Seed Quality Concerns
• Seed crop has been of relatively poor quality Poor germination Purity is low
• Pure Live Seed (PLS) (Germ + Hard) x Purity Maybe < 80% PLS
• Seed crop has been of relatively poor quality Poor germination Purity is low
• Pure Live Seed (PLS) (Germ + Hard) x Purity Maybe < 80% PLS
Weed ManagementWeed Management
Specific Weed Problem? Specific Weed Problem?
Visit the Pest Management Page on www.georgiaforages.com
Insect Management
Insect Management
Alfalfa WeevilAlfalfa Weevil
Potato LeafhopperPotato Leafhopper
Potato Leafhopper Potassium Deficiency
Potassium Deficiency
Harvest Management
Harvest Management
Balancing Yield, Quality, and Persistence
Balancing Yield, Quality, and Persistence
vegetative bud 1st flower full-flower full-seed
Total Yield
Stem Yield
Leaf Yield
TDN
Quality Declines with Length between Cuttings
Quality Declines with Length between Cuttings
Adapted from Alfalfa Management Guide.
Balancing Yield, Quality, and Persistence
Balancing Yield, Quality, and Persistence
Root
Reserv
es
growth initiatio
n
6-8 inch height
bud stage
full bloom
cut at bud
cut at bloom
Resources on CD: AlfalfaResources on CD: Alfalfa
Questions?Questions?
www.georgiaforages.co
m
www.georgiaforages.co
m