Alfalfa Medicago sativa
Alfalfa is a deep-rooted legume primarily used for forage and wildlife. Its high digestibility, feed value and ability to be stored make it ideal for hay and silage. Some varieties are also able to be used in a managed grazing system.
Species Summary
Description
Considered to be the world’s most valuable legume, alfalfa is commonly used for beef and dairy. Its high digestibility and feed value and ability to be stored make it ideal for hay and silage. Some varieties are also able to be used in a managed grazing system.
Strengths
High yields; good seedling vigor; deep roots; good summer growth; excellent drought tolerance; good persistence under mechanical harvesting; excellent forage quality and palatability.
Limitations
Requires deep, well-drained soils, high pH and high fertility; prone to alfalfa weevil and potato leafhopper damage; can cause bloat when grazed
Coat for Optimal Performance
In order to achieve optimal nitrogen fixation ability, Alfalfa needs to be properly inoculated. Developed from over 30 years of research, our Multi-Strain™ technology for alfalfas is an exclusive blend of four rhizobium strains. Nitro-Coat's® four-strain rhizobium is an added insurance policy. Multi-Strain™ is available only with our Nitro-Coat® coating.
Alfalfa Specifications
General
- Longevity
- Perennial
- Growth Habit
- Bunch
- Primary Growth Seasons
- Spring, summer, early fall
- Plant Height (in cm)
- 40 to 90
- Seeds (per lb)
- 200,000
- Seedling Vigor
- Good - Excellent
Climate and Soil Tolerances
- Heat/Drought
- Excellent
- Cold
- Good - Excellent
- Wet Soil/Poor Drainage
- Poor
- Salinity
- Fair
- High pH Alkalinity
- Fair
- Low pH Acidity
- Poor
Fertility Requirements
- Optimum pH
- 6.6 - 7.2
- Required Fertility Levels
- Medium - High
Performance Potential
- Feed Value/Quality
- Very High
- Palatability
- Excellent
- Digestibility
- Excellent
- Crude Protein
- Very High
- Tonnage (Yield)
- High
- Nitrogen Fixation (lbs/ac/year)
- 70 - 300
Use/Application
- Continuous Grazing
- Poor
- Rotational Grazing
- Good
- Hay
- Excellent
- Silage
- Excellent
Seeding Rates (HG/HA)
- Pure Stand
- 13.4 to 16.8
- Hay mixture (with legumes)
- 11.2
- Hay mixture (with grasses)
- -