Commonly Asked Questions When Faced with Alfalfa Winterkill and Injury

Can the low, dead spots be reseeded in an otherwise good stand?

Yes, but the success will depend upon the amount of winterkill in the area to be reseeded. Areas with 100 percent kill will reseed best. These areas can be no-tilled or lightly cultivated and seeded conventionally. It's sometimes a good idea to seed a little red clover with the alfalfa to insure forage establishment for the remaining life of the stand. If possible, avoid cutting these areas when the first crop harvest is made.

Can I interseed alfalfa into a thin stand of alfalfa?

No. It rarely is successful. To thicken a stand some producers have had good luck using red clover or a fast growing, cool season grass like perennial ryegrass. Sorghum-sudan grass has also been tried after a first crop harvest but the success of this practice depends largely upon adequate moisture conditions in June for germination and early growth.

How soon can I reseed this old, winterkilled stand back into alfalfa?

The research is pretty conclusive that waiting one year offers the least risk and greatest yield potential for the new stand. However, producers can seed a short season small grain or small grain/pea mixture this spring, harvest it for forage in late-June or early July, and reseed alfalfa around the first of August. This will result in the near equivalent of an established stand the following year. Quackgrass will need to controlled before reseeding in August.

How soon can I reseed a new seeding field?

Usually new seeding fields can be reseeded immediately. If doing so, till the field before significant vegetative growth occurs in the spring from surviving plants. Also, assess quackgrass encroachment and control as needed.

How will the new farm bill impact my reseeding decisions?

Not near as much as the old one did. If you are a participant, seeding and harvesting alfalfa on base acres will not decrease payments. Also, participants will not be penalized for planting additional corn for silage in excess of base acreage.

Will reseeding alfalfa on 1995 corn fields be a problem?

Usually not, but be sure to consider your corn herbicide use last year. Corn herbicides with limiting alfalfa rotational restrictions are as follows:

Herbicide                         Rotation Interval

Atrazine related products             2 years

Exceed                               15 months

Harness                               2 years

Permit                                2 years

Surpass                               2 years