Alfalfa is the forage base of many farms across the Midwest.
Description
Alfalfa is the forage base of many farms across the Midwest. It is a legume that can fix most of its own nitrogen, it is deep rooted to give drought tolerance, and it grows pretty well during the hotter part of the summer. Due to the pressures of the rotation schedule on many farms today, typically, alfalfa stands are only in production for three or four years. It is important to get all the yield possible in this short time and it is these high performing varieties that Byron Seeds focuses on.
Management
Once established, alfalfa stand can last for many years. Many modern varieties can handle 28 day cutting schedules and, in fact, some elite varieties need that type of management to perform their best. One very critical aspect of alfalfa management is knowing when to take the last cutting in the fall. By using Growing Degree Days (GDD) you can determine the best time to take the last fall cutting. An early fall cut can be taken as long as the plants can accumulate more than 500 GDD to replenish root reserves. A late fall cutting can be taken as long as no more than 200 GDD will accumulate before killing frost (25°F).
Establishment
Alfalfa can be planted in the spring or late summer, but we recommend late summer whenever possible. If spring sown, a nurse crop of grass or small grain is recommended to maximize the tonnage in the seeding year. We usually recommend seeding grass with alfalfa to give a higher tonnage, better quality feed for the life of the stand. Alfalfa exhibits autotoxicity, which means established plants (older than 6 months) give off compounds that prevent new alfalfa seedlings from establishing.
PEAK 948 PLH ct | oc
Description:
- Potato leaf hopper resistant alfalfa
- Good forage yield in delayed harvest intervals
- Solid disease resistance package
- Deliver greater forage yield under delayed harvest intervals
- Tap Root
- Fall Dormancy 4.0
- Winter Survival 2.2
PEAK 9920-A3 BR CT | OC
Description: View Store
- Broad resistance base including Aphanomyces Root Race 1, 2, & 3
- High persistence potential in both wet and poorly drained soil
- Very fast after harvest recovery
- High forage yield and excellent quality
- Branch Root
- Fall Dormancy 4.2
- Winter Survival 1.8
PEAK 9909 HD ct | oc
Description: View Store
- Superior fiber digestibility
- Excellent yield potential
- A true multi‐leaf variety
- Establishes quickly to prevent erosion
- Use in your better soils
- Very Fast recovery after harvest
- Flex root
- Fall Dormancy 4.3
- Winter Survival 1.9
PEAK 9035 CT | OC
Description: View Store
- Superior fiber digestibility
- Excellent yield potential
- Extremely fast recovery
- Establishes quickly to prevent erosion
- Use in your better soils
- Very Fast recovery after harvest
- Tap root
- Fall Dormancy 5.0
- Winter Survival 2.0
PEAK 9878 ct
Description: View Store
- Very strong defensive package
- Outstanding yield potential
- Excellent for long rotations
- Use in multiple soils
- Brach root
- Fall Dormancy 3.5
- Winter Survival 2.0
PEAK BLEND 9601 oc
Description: View Store
- Blend of selected alfalfas designed to give consistent performance
- 9601 will offer economy plus performance in the field
- Fall Dormancy 3.0
- Winter Survival 1.9
PEAK 9902-EQ CT | OC
Description: View Store
- Aphanomyces Root Rot Race 2
- Very high quality results
- Great if selling on quality
- Solid Disease resistance package
- Excellent forage yield
- Tap root
- Fall Dormancy 4.2
- Winter Survival 1.8
- Disease Resistant 34/35
PEAK 9010-RG CT | OC
Description: View Store
- Aphanomyces Root Rot Race 2
- Very high quality results
- Great if selling on quality
- Solid Disease resistance package
- Excellent forage yield
- Tap root
- Fall Dormancy 4.7
- Winter Survival 1.0
- Disease Resistant 33/35
PEAK Synergist Pro CT | OC
Description: View Store
- Combination of two branch root and two tap root stress tolerant alfalfas
- Handles variable soil types
- High performing alfalfas with superior disease resistance and varying root systems
- Aphanomyces Race 1, 2, 3
- Root Rot Protection
PEAK Synergist Plus CT | OC
Description: View Store
- Combination of two branch root and two tap root stress tolerant alfalfas plus PEAK Titan Red Clover
- Handles variable soil types
- High performing alfalfas with superior disease resistance and varying root systems
- Aphanomyces Race 1, 2, 3
- Root Rot Protection
PEAK Deluge Pro CT | OC
Description: View Store
- Combination of two branch rooted and one flex rooted alfalfa
- Designed for heavy wet soils
- Very strong defensive package
- Superior fiber digestibility
- Aphanomyces Race 1, 2, 3
- Root rot protection
PEAK Deluge Plus CT | OC
Description: View Store
- Combination of two branch rooted and one flex rooted alfalfa plus PEAK Titan Red Clover
- Designed for heavy wet soils
- Very strong defensive package
- Superior fiber digestibility
- Aphanomyces Race 1, 2, 3 Root rot protection
KF 425HD CT | OC
Description:
- Superior fiber digestibility
- Excellent yield potential
- A true multi-leaf variety
- Use in your better soils
- Very fast recovery after harvest
- Selected for high-quality sugars
Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
KF 402H CT | OC
Description:
- 2016 Super Bowl Grand Champion
- Winner of many yield trials across the Midwest
- Extremely fine-stemmed for maximum quality
- Our best alfalfa for 28 day cutting schedules
- 7-10% higher yielding
Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
KF 406A2 CT | OC
Description:
- Resistant to multi-strain APH2 DRI 35/35
- One of the most disease resistant - very hearty
- Fast recovery after harvest
- A leader in yield
- Very good forage quality
- Branch-rooted variety
Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6