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Southern Tier NY | A few points from a Northeast perspective:
-usually organic hay does not bring much, if any, premium. Virtually all organic farmers in the NE, even those without animals, grow clover or alfalfa in rotation with other crops. Many acres planted for plowdown; very difficult to survive purchasing much organic feed, so most organic livestock producers try to grow all their own forage
-you absolutely must have your pH at the proper level, around here 6.8 - 7.2
-fertility must also be above average
-if direct seeding, before planting try to allow as many weeds to germinate as possible, klling them with secondary tillage passes
-if using a nurse crop, plant heavier than you would conventionally to shade weeds better, but be sure you can harvest as forage or combine as early as possible to prevent hurting stand
-try to plant right before a good rain, and if no nurse crop. when the soils are warm so the alfalfa gets right out ot the ground, and be sure to pack seed effectively to get good soil contact
-you must mow in a timely fashion to prevent weeds from setting viable seed, and be sure to mow every square inch if weeds are present
-yields can be equivalent to conventional alfalfa | |
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Organic Alfalfa Hay
