alfalfa production in georgia (or similar areas in the south) dennis hancock, phd. extension forage...

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

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www.georgiaforages.co

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