| VARIETY | KEY POINTS | TECH SHEET |
|---|---|---|
| SUNPEARL (NEW) | • Very high-yielding HarvXtra® variety • Latest generation disease package • Good salt tolerance | VIEW |
| DAIRYGOLD | • Very high yield • Elite forage quality • Very adaptable to soil and cutting schedules | VIEW |
| QUICKGOLD | • Very high yield • Fast recovery for intense cutting schedule | VIEW |
| GRAZINGPEARL | • Excellent choice for western acres • Handles high traffic • Carries Roundup Ready® gene | VIEW |
| TOUGHGOLD | • Our economic blend • Persistent alfalfa for heavy or poorly drained soils | VIEW |
ALFALFA PRODUCTS
We at Renk Seed clearly feel we have the best alfalfa on the market but good management is crucial to getting the highest return. We carry proprietary alfalfa that is chosen for high yield, forage quality, and durability. We stock conventional, RoundupReady® and Harvxtra® products so you can tailor your pick to your needs.
ALFALFA TECHNOLOGIES
HARVXTRA®
HarvXtra® is reduced lignin alfalfa stacked with Roundup® herbicide resistance. By reducing lignin 12-15%, which is indigestible to animals, it allows the plant to put its energy more fully into digestible portions of the plant. The benefit of this is that as plants grow, the HarvXtra variety will be at higher quality and digestibility than a non-HarvXtra variety at the same maturity. This allows for higher quality feed with a wider window for harvest or delayed harvest, thus increasing overall tonnage while maintaining proper quality.
This can be a sizable benefit. By harvesting at a later maturity, you can gain more tonnage and not sacrifice quality. Conservatively, you could gain ¾ ton per acre per year or 2.5 tons per bag per year. This could gain you a benefit of $375 per year.
ROUNDUP READY® ALFALFA
Roundup Ready® Alfalfa technology allows the spraying of your alfalfa with Roundup® herbicide. This delivers the weed control and ease of use you come to expect from Roundup® herbicide. This should aid in keeping your stand weed free and improving overall feed value.
ALFALFA CONSIDERATIONS
WINTER HARDINESS
If your fields are subject to poor snow cover, ice sheeting and poor drainage, you should plant a winter hardy variety. Strictly defined, winter hardiness describes the ability to withstand the extreme cold, temperature fluctuations, heaving and ice sheeting common in the upper Midwest.
FORAGE QUALITY
Getting the highest quality possible from your alfalfa crop requires proper management. Varieties with high natural forage quality may be harvested later without a loss of quality while lower quality alfalfa should be cut earlier. Higher quality ratings give you a wider harvest window. Alfalfa with a feed quality rating of eight or higher can be harvested in the early flower stage vs. mid-bud for other varieties. This results in an increase in tonnage and no loss of quality.
DISEASE RESISTANCE
Fields with poor drainage require a stronger disease package to maintain a quality stand over a period of years. Select varieties with a high score (30 is the highest possible score) to ensure a long productive stand.
ALFALFA MANAGEMENT
Maximizing the performance of your alfalfa crop requires proper management. At Renk, we are committed to helping you achieve the highest returns. Follow these key guidelines to ensure success with your alfalfa stand:
SEEDING
Seedbed Preparation: Alfalfa thrives in a firm seedbed. Ensure shallow planting—¼” to ½” depth on medium to heavy soils and ½” to 1” depth on sandy soils.
Seeding Rate: Use 12–15 pounds per acre. Increase the rate for poor seedbeds.
Direct Seeding: This is preferred unless planting on erodible land or fodder is required.
Crop Rotation: Due to autotoxicity, fields should remain out of alfalfa for at least one year before reseeding.
FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS
Soil pH: Maintain a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, applying lime at least one year before planting to optimize phosphorus and potassium availability.
Phosphorus & Potassium: Adequate phosphorus is crucial during the establishment year. Potassium should be closely monitored as it significantly impacts yield. Each ton of alfalfa removes nutrients equivalent to 150 lbs of 0-10-40 fertilizer.
Nitrogen Needs: Rhizobium bacteria naturally meet nitrogen requirements by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
STAND LONGEVITY
Stem Density: If stands fall below 40 stems per square foot at 6” growth, yield potential declines, making rotation necessary.
CUTTING SCHEDULE
First Cut: Harvest at the bud stage (mid to late May).
Subsequent Cuts:
– Second Cut: 28–33 days later or at mid-bud stage.
– Third Cut: 38–55 days later or at 25% bloom.
Optional Fourth Cut: After a killing frost in mid to late October, leave 6” of stubble to reduce winterkill risk.
Avoid Cutting: From September 1 to mid-October to allow root reserves to rebuild.
POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT
Minimize Losses: Losses can reach up to 30%.
Maintain equipment and follow moisture guidelines:
– Bale Hay: At 18–20% moisture.
– Esile: At 50–70% moisture.
– Silage Inoculants: Use to preserve quality, especially for drying periods under two days.
PEST CONTROL
Weeds: Early weed control is critical during the seeding year. For older stands, control weeds to improve quality rather than tonnage.
Insect Monitoring: Regular scouting is essential to monitor populations. Apply insecticides as needed, typically one or two applications, when economic thresholds are reached.
If you would like more details on alfalfa management, contact our office for a complimentary management guide.
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