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Another challenging winter for alfalfa in Upper Midwest

An extension educator says it has been another challenging winter for alfalfa in the Upper Midwest.

Lisa Behnken with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield the crop went dormant later than normal last fall due to extended warmth and moisture.

As it comes out of dormancy, she suggests alfalfa growers consider the condition of the stand going into the winter.

“Did you take a late cutting?  That would put more risk as far as good winter survival.  Is it an older stand?  Those (also) tend to be more at risk.  Did you fertilize or have you kept the fertility level up on those stands that helps it as far as overwintering?”

Behnken says after consistently good snow cover through the winter, a recent warm-up followed by more snow could also cause problems.

“Those stands are starting to break dormancy and now we’ve got this risk at this time of the year where we get snow cover (and as it melts)  we can have more ponding, which can suffocate those stands.”

Behnken recommends checking stands as soon as possible to assess any damage because time is running out to make changes to those acres.