News > Co-op News > March Alfalfa Update — Simple Steps to Protect Yield This Season

March Alfalfa Update — Simple Steps to Protect Yield This Season

Mar 06, 2026

As fields begin to green up, now is the time to walk stands, make early decisions, and protect first‑cut yield. Here are easy, practical steps that help drive more tons in 2026.

1. Check Stands Early to Know Your Yield Potential
A quick look at stems and roots right now gives you a good ifea of what each field can produce this year.

55 stems per sqaure foot means the stand is not yield-limiting.
Root scores of 0-2 indicate a healthy, high-yield potential plant.

Thin stands or weak crowns may be better off rotated rather than carried through a low-yield season.

2. Apply Fungicide Early in the Season
Early fungicide applications protects leaf tissue—and leaf tissue is tonnage.

1st cutting yield bump: 6-13%
2nd cutting yield bum: 2.5-10.5%

Apply when the crop reaches 6-8 inches to get the most benefit.

3. Stay Ahead of Alfalfa Weevil
Weevil feeding ramps up quickly as temperatures warm.

20 larvae per sweep, or
30-40% of growing points showing feeding

Catching weevils early protects leaf areas and keeps more tons in the field.

4. Keep Fertility Levels Up
Strong fertility supports stand health and yield throughout the season.
Each ton of alfalfa removes:

48 lbs potassium
14 lbs phosphate

Keeping P and K where they need to be helps prevent hidden yield loss as the season gets going.

5. Planting or Re-Seeding? Choose Strong Genetics
If you're planting this spring, CROPLAN AA varieties offer:

Stronger roots
Higher resistance to major diseases
Improved stand persistence and long-term yield potential

HarvXtrra varieties add harvesting flexibility and can:

Increase yield by up to 25% if cutting is delayed 7-20 days

6. Use Roundup Ready to Get New Seedings Off to a Strong Start
For growers seeding alfalfa this spring:

Apply Roundup 30-45 days after seeding to remove early weed pressure
Helps minimize competition for water and light

Cleaner fields means strong establishment and better future yield.

If you'd like help evaluating stands, planning spring applications, or picking out which alfalfa seed is best for your operation, reach out to your Premier Agronomist.

**This article was provided by Winfield United**

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