Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma Alfalfa
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station

 
WINTER PRODUCTION REMINDERS 
 

As we drive by alfalfa fields this time of year they seem to be almost dead. The cold temperatures in early January brown off nearly all the top growth. So is there anything going on in alfalfa fields this time of year?  

We might be surprised by the number of things going on in those fields that look so dead from the road. A couple of things that are happening will affect the production through the rest of the year and maybe life of the stand.  

Plants are accumulating carbohydrate and protein in their roots and crowns for a quick start when warm weather come to stay. Plants cannot accumulate the needed carbohydrate or protein if they are stressed by inadequate soil fertility.  

Insects and weeds are also getting ready for spring in dormant alfalfa fields. It is always surprising to find that tiny weeds, weevils and aphids survive temperatures approaching zero, but they do.
 
A list of important things alfalfa producers should do the next few weeks to get ready for the upcoming hay season include the following:
 
  • Check for cool-season weeds  
  • Soil test and fertilize  
  • Check for insects, especially weevils and aphids  
  • Graze off old growth  
  • Evaluate stand density  
  • Identify fields where alfalfa may be sown next fall. Fertilize for alfalfa and choose herbicides carefully.  
Information on these topics is available at your County Extension Offices.  Ask for some of these --  
John Caddel, Forage Agronomist 
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 
Oklahoma State University

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