Time-saving tips for planting alfalfa

• Use a floater or air seeder. Conventional alfalfa planting involves several tillage operations to prepare a seedbed, followed by drilling the alfalfa seed. Some folks, though, save time by using a floater or air seeder rather than a drill. This saves time by requiring less tillage since it's best to leave the field slightly rougher than normal. The floater or air seeder then spreads seed much faster than a drill; however, make sure the custom applicator is experienced at spreading the seed evenly. After broadcasting the seed, incorporate the seed into the soil just a little. Two quick passes with a flat harrow or roller seems to work best. Don’t disk because that will can place the seed too deep.
• No-till. No-till or low till seedings also can save much time. Small grain, bean, and even corn and sorghum stubble can be used. If residue is heavy, first shred or chop stalks so they are spread across the ground more uniformly and the drill can cut through them easier. Also, if the field has much ridging from previous crop rows, disk lightly to level the ground. If weeds are already present, spray a burn-down herbicide like Roundup or Gramoxone before planting, then no-till seed and be ready to use a post-emergence herbicide like Pursuit, Raptor, Poast, Select, or Buctril for early weeds.
• Seed in May. For best results seed alfalfa by May 15 on dryland fields or June 1 in irrigated fields.

Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist

Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.

Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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