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Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
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Oklahoma Alfalfa |
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Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
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Oklahoma Alfalfa |
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I have a lot of grass in my
alfalfa stand. |
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The best thing to do is graze droughty alfalfa. When it is growing slowly (during a drought) it is not likely to cause bloat if normal precautions are followed. With the grass, it is even less likely to cause bloat. Economic return is a good reason for grazing alfalfa in the summer. Cutting, raking and baling cost about $21/acre/cutting. If weed-free hay sells for $80/ton and summer yields are 1/2 ton/acre, only $14/acre would remain after harvest and hauling costs. If grazed, assuming 1 lb. of gain for each 10 lb. of forage, 100 lb. of beef gain/acre could be obtained. One hundred pounds of gain would be worth $30/acre (30¢/lb. gain). Is seed production a good alternative to hay during drought? Yes, particularly in the western half of the state, producers should consider letting alfalfa go to seed. When dry weather results in low forage yields, producers should look seriously at alfalfa seed production. Producers can control harmful insects and supply pollinators (usually honey bees) with relatively little cost (less than $40/acre). Seed yields of 200 lb/acre can gross $200/acre. Expenses for threshing, cleaning, and bagging should cost about $100/acre. The producer would sacrifice two light hay harvests and clear as much as $100/acre from seed production. Seed yields frequently range from 300 to 500 lb/acre.
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| John Caddel, Forage
Agronomist Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Oklahoma State University |
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