5 Simple Steps for Success with Late-Summer Alfalfa Seeding

Aug 11, 2020


Alfalfa Growth Stages

Late-Summer Seeding

Alfalfa is a versatile crop with a wide range of recommended seeding dates, but if you have land available for alfalfa, you must finalize your plan soon. Follow these five steps to help make your next alfalfa seeding a success:

1. Alfalfa requires a neutral soil

Perform a soil test to determine pH, potassium and phosphorus levels. Alfalfa requires a neutral soil pH of 6.8 to 7.2 to reach its yield potential, and incorrect soil fertility levels will lead to lost production.

2. Plant at the right depth

Planting alfalfa can be more challenging in the summer than in fall or spring. The key is to plant into firm soil where you can control the depth, ideally planting seeds one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch below the soil surface.

3. Check for herbicide carryover

If there is any residual chemistry leftover from the previous crop, it could inhibit alfalfa crop establishment.

4. Control weeds

The first 30 days of an alfalfa seedling’s establishment are very important, and if you don’t have adequate weed control, some of those alfalfa seedlings may be lost.

5. Try a reduced-lignin variety

Alfalfa varieties with the HarvXtra® reduced-lignin trait, such as CROPLAN® HarvXtra® HarvaTron, HVX Driver or HVX MegaTron, provide flexibility to increase time between cuttings, which can result in improved forage quality or increased stand persistence. Click here to view varieties.

For more information on alfalfa seeding and management strategies, contact an agronomist below. We’ll help you develop a customized plan that fits your specific needs and goals.

Joel Mezera

Agronomy Production Specialist
 

Nick Crary

Agronomy Production Specialist

Latest Posts

May 01, 2025
As spring greens-up begins across the region, evaluating the condition of your alfalfa stands is a crucial step to protect yield potential and make timely crop management decisions.
May 01, 2025
With spring planting underway and cool, wet soils lingering, growers are looking for every advantage they can get to protect yield potential early. That's why Premier Cooperative is recommending Ascend² Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) as part of your in-furrow program this season. 
May 01, 2025
As we move into the growing season, ensuring your crops have the nutrients they need to thrive is critical. Whether you and your agronomist planned for split-applied nitrogen or not, one of the most effective strategies to boost corn performance is with an in-crop application of nitrogen. This practice delivers nitrogen directly to plants when they need it most, supporting vigorous growth and optimizing yield potential. For farmers looking to enhance productivity while maintaining efficiency, top-dressing urea is a proven practice for success.

Related Posts