Start to assess the overwintering condition of alfalfa fields in Illinois now, says Jim Morrison, Extension educator, crop systems, Rockford Extension Center, University of Illinois.
“Many factors, including forage inventory, cash flow and available land, need to be considered when deciding whether to keep an alfalfa field. But assessing stand density is an important factor, and perhaps the starting point,” says Morrison.
Stand density at the beginning of the growing season is one estimate of a field's potential productivity. In pure alfalfa fields, plant and stem counts are commonly used to evaluate stand density.
Traditionally, especially in early spring, plants are counted within a square-foot area. As a general guide, the suggested number of plants per square foot should be:
A similar spring evaluation guideline is that a two-year-old stand with six or fewer plants per square foot or a three-year-old stand with three or fewer plants per square foot will not produce well.
The preferred method of stand evaluation is to count stems per square foot, which can be a good indicator of potential yield. Stem counts can be taken when plants are 4-6” or taller. Count any stem that would be cut at harvest. If there are fewer than 39 robust stems per square foot, consider tearing up the stand.
Whether you count plants or stems, make several counts across the field to achieve a representative sampling. Assess plant health by digging up a number of plants from different areas of the field and splitting them lengthwise to determine crown and root vigor. Roots that exhibit disease or severe discoloration in the crown or more than a couple of inches below the crown may not produce well. Healthy roots will have firm, white tissue on the inside.
Alfalfa plants with winter injury will be slow to green up, have shoots on only one side of the crown (asymmetrical growth), or show uneven growth and root damage.