With the recent warmer weather, many alfalfa growers have started to wonder if their alfalfa fields made it through the winter in good condition. Let’s discuss what to look for when the time comes to evaluate alfalfa stands.

Fields that have lower pH, potassium and sulfur levels, as well as older stands, tend to have more winter injury associated with them. However, it’s still important to evaluate all stands. Here’s what to look for:

• Slow or no greening in all or portions of fields. Examine the whole field and look for areas that are green while other areas are brown. Injury could have destroyed the roots and crowns.
• Root damage. Damaged roots cannot sustain crown regrowth. It is important to dig and split roots. Healthy roots will have a firm and white appearance. If roots are spongy, look yellow or dehydrated, they are showing injury. Over time these roots could get diseased, start to rot and turn brown.
• Uneven regrowth. Damage to the crown buds will create uneven regrowth because the surviving buds will start growing and be taller than the crown bud that regenerates in the spring. If you see brown areas make sure the plants are dead and not just delayed. Injured plants can sometimes delay green-up and recover. It is important to look at the roots and the crown and determine how healthy they are before deciding on keeping the field in production or not.

It is important to determine the yield potential of a field to determine the stand’s fate. The best way to do this is by counting how many stems per square foot are present. You should take counts in multiple areas of the field. The chart below provides guidelines about yield potential based on stands.

Want a second opinion about your alfalfa stand? Reach out to your local Technical Team Agronomist or STAR Partner dealer – they’re here to help you grow! #WeMeanBusiness

Download a copy of this technical bulletin here: Assessing Alfalfa Stands

References: and additional information:

1. http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/pubs/assessing_alfalfa_in_spring.pdf
2. http://www.uwex.edu/ces/crops/uwforage/StandEvaluationFOF.htm