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Gary in Neb. 10-20-2009 08:58:24 24.116.17.253 170277 Report to Moderator	ok, not sure where to post this so thought this was the best place. i live in northeast neb and want to plant about 7 acres of alfalfa with a drill. should have done this in september but too much rain, so want to do it now, thinking that the cooler ground the seed wont grow till next spring. heavier ground, dont blow so was just gonna drill alfalfa itself no cover crop. any thoughts on doing this this time of year or better towait till spring, which might be too wet to get into the field then. thanks Gary [Reply]   [Send Email]
MirageFlatter 10-22-2009 03:09:22 12.36.202.86 170358 Report to Moderator	Re: planting alfalfa in reply to Gary in Neb., 10-20-2009 08:58:24   Like others have said, a nurse crop helps keep the weeds down, that's what it's for. I like to use about fifty pounds per acre of whatever I use, that's a bushel and 1/2 of oats. I intend to use rye next spring, just because I have it on hand, and won't have to go looking for something else. My first choice is Jerry oats. It is a tall, stiff strawed, full season variety, and will make you a lot of good quality forage with your first cut. And if you cut it right before the flag leaf shows, you'll get some re-growth of the oats with your second cut, as well as the best feed quality from your oats hay. Jerry would also be a good choice for grain in your area, if you choose to go that route. But waiting to harvest the oats for grain can be tough on the new seeding of alfalfa. UNL recommends 5/1 and 8/1 as optimum seeding dates for alfalfa in Nebraska, and that's right on the money here in NW Nebraska, as far as minimizing freeze risk to alfalfa seedlings. In NE Nebraska, you can probably be earlier in the spring, or later in the fall, just try to plan for having three full tri-foliate leaves on the alfalfa seedlings before a late frost in the spring, or early frost in the fall. At any rate, you have plenty of time to get it all planned out. Good luck!! :wink:   [Reply]   [No Email]
dboll 10-20-2009 15:21:58 64.61.211.102 170302 Report to Moderator	Re: planting alfalfa in reply to Gary in Neb., 10-20-2009 08:58:24   I plant a half rate of oats with it and cut it in July and rb it for stock cows. Been alot of grain taken off new seedings and alot of new alf. lost doing the same. If not planting grass with the alf. you can put in some oats then spray with fusilade or similar to kill it and make a mulch to save moisture.   [Reply]   [No Email]
MirageFlatter 10-20-2009 11:12:52 12.36.202.81 170285 Report to Moderator	Re: planting alfalfa in reply to Gary in Neb., 10-20-2009 08:58:24   I'm with Allan. Even cheap alfalfa seed isn't cheap any more. The weather can still be warm enough for it to sprout, and baby alfalfa plants can't stand a freeze. Hope you don't have grasshoppers to contend with too, like we had this year. They love alfalfa seedlings. Good luck!! :wink:   [Reply]   [No Email]
Allan In NE 10-20-2009 10:19:20 148.66.88.254 170284 Report to Moderator	Re: planting alfalfa in reply to Gary in Neb., 10-20-2009 08:58:24   I'd wait until sping. If it comes up and then freezes, it will kill all plants 2 leaves and under. Allan   [Reply]   [No Email]
Gary in Neb. 10-20-2009 12:38:04 24.116.17.253 170290 Report to Moderator	Re: planting alfalfa in reply to Allan In NE, 10-20-2009 10:19:20   looks like spring it is. what do you guys think of nurse crops? some telling me not to use any but i'm afraid if idont the weeds will take over too fast. my dad tells me to use a nurse crop, my neighbor, who plants around 50 acres a year says dont....   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Gerald J. 10-21-2009 10:31:29 75.253.77.124 170338 Report to Moderator	Re: Nurse crop or herbicide. in reply to Gary in Neb., 10-20-2009 12:38:04   Alfalfa won't outgrow weeds without the help of oats or a persistent herbicide. I've only used oats. 1 bushel to the acre isn't enough oats in my ground, two is better. Pick an early and short stemmed oats so they don't fall over. Gerald J.   [Reply]   [No Email]
RayP(MI) 10-20-2009 18:34:04 207.241.137.116 170305 Report to Moderator	Re: planting alfalfa in reply to Gary in Neb., 10-20-2009 12:38:04   I say use a nurse crop. Oats tend to keep the weeds at bay, plant as early as you can in the spring.   [Reply]   [No Email]
paul 10-20-2009 20:22:44 66.44.132.155 170314 Report to Moderator	Re: planting alfalfa in reply to RayP(MI), 10-20-2009 18:34:04   That's what I do. Oats & early. --->Paul   [Reply]   [No Email]