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Kettle Moraine, WI | It is admirable to try to do it chemical free, but precise management will likely still be less than 100%.
Firstly, you are aware alfalfa established plants emit a chemical that prevents germination of new alfalfa plants for about a year?
Second, you need to recognize the soil has a very robust seed bank. Many weed seeds last 3 years and then viability tapers off, but some can last decades in the soil. So that 1 forage grass that went to seed and the mower missed will cause a seed bank. Likely a weed in the stand occured. Or a bird flew over and pooped one out in the field. If you get a full stand termination. Something will grow. Nature abhors a vacuum.
So knowing the alfalfa needs to be terminated for a year, the other grasses with root reserves need to be terminated, and there is a seed bank to contend with, it is an uphill battle. Once a year hay harvest means lots of seed production likely occured in the field especially grasses. Oh plus trying to make money, can't forget that.
I recall a video I seen years ago that had insight on suppressing a stand and reducing vigor to establish next seeding. They would mow a field, and then left it regrowth to fragile growth and now again (guessing a week later). This would make the plant use its root reserves before new growth would replenish root reserves again so plant was at most vulnerable point. (Video on YouTube was Tom tranthom(sp?) 12 April's (or something like that). Had a good grazing story and some ideas so I hadn't forgot the name.
The other insight I recall is if you think alfalfa planted super thick will help, it can can, but it will revert to natural plant stand by the competition.
Good luck and let us know your outcomes. | |
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Alfalfa
