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Alfalfa is a long-lived, cool-season perennial legume. It’s grown around the world and is known for its exceptional forage quality and excellent productivity. Western Canada is well adapted to the production of alfalfa seed, supplying export markets around the world. It requires minimal fertilizer and helps improve soil fertility while increasing organic matter.
Field Selection
Alfalfa is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions but yields best in well-drained soils. Starting with a clean field free of perennial weeds is very important to minimize weeds at harvest and earn top prices. Glyphosate applications in the fall preceding establishment will help eliminate perennial weeds. Fields with shelter from the wind are
optimal for planting alfalfa as it will benefit bees during pollination.
Weed Control and Disease Control
Alfalfa’s low seeding rate and wide row spacing offer little competition to weeds. However, there are herbicides registered for use in alfalfa. Alfalfa can be susceptible to leaf and stem diseases, so scouting fields regularly will help identify diseases so you can apply appropriate fungicides. Kochia, cleavers, Canada thistle and wild oats can be a problem in alfalfa fields, along with insect pressure, which you will most likely need to spray for.
Seeding
Treat the alfalfa seed with a quality inoculant just before seeding. Seed alfalfa between 1 to 2 lbs/acre in 10-inch to 24-inch rows alone or with a cover crop like flax or cereals. Seed alfalfa no deeper than ½ inch into a firm, fine seedbed.
Pollination
Leafcutter bees are necessary for optimum seed set in alfalfa. Many seed growers use contract beekeeping services to pollinate the crop.
Harvesting
After pollination, alfalfa seed takes about five to six weeks to mature. Swathing can occur when most of the seed pods are black or brown in colour. Straight combining is a popular option that helps reduce seed losses. To do so, the crop must be dried down with an approved desiccant or by a hard frost. The ideal seed moisture is 10%
Production Benefits
- Multiple crop years reduce workload during
the planting season - Low fertilizer requirements
- Can be swathed or desiccated and harvested
- Improves soil fertility and increases
organic matter - Break-crop effect benefits annual
crops in rotations - Guaranteed minimum contract pricing with
opportunity to capture market upside
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Crop Type | Legume |
| Revenue | High |
| Rotation | Long |
| Moisture Tolerance | Low |
| Harvesting | Late |
| Seeding Rate | 1 – 2 lbs/acre |
| Seeding Depth | Max ½ inch |
| Row Spacing | 10 – 24 inches |
| Seed Production Life | 3+ years |
| Companion Crop | Wheat, flax, Clearfield® canola |
| Soil pH | 5.0 – 8.0 |
| Fertility | Low fertility requirements |
| Swathing/Desiccation Timing | September |
| Harvest Timing | Mid to late September |
| Seed Moisture | Dry is 10% |
| Seed Value (Est.) | $1.50 – $2.50 / lb |
| Seed Yield (Average) | 250 – 600 (350) lbs/acre |
| Cost of Production | Similar to canola |
Alfalfa Tech Sheet & Moisture Chart
SEED PRODUCTION GUIDE
CONTACT A SEED PRODUCTION SPECIALIST
From scouting and selection of production fields, fertility programs, pest management and growth regulator recommendations to swathing, harvest timing and cover crop management, a dedicated Seed Production Specialist is with you every step of the way to help maximize returns.