GMO alfalfa

Eldon (WA) · Apr 24, 2016

Anyone here growing it? I see a few beautiful weed free fields around here that I think are GMO. How many times a year do you have to spray it? Typically around here the first cutting is weedy, the second and 3rd are pretty clean. I'm not sure it is worth the extra cost...comments??

mschwartz · Apr 24, 2016

Hello Eldon, quite a lot of it being grown on the
Palouse. In dryland cropping system it really helps
with the weed control costs. Approximately 3x cost
for seed but roundup applications for 5-7 dollars as
needed between cuttings to keep annual grasses
and other weeds from encroaching. Not as popular
with my irrigated growers as they will not leave a
stand in for a long enough time to recoup cost of
seed. Also irrigated stands generally out compete
weeds better. Person needs to know your market
for hay also as some export makers and even local
horse people are against gmo. I have been happy
with mine, just planted some more this spring, Mike.

4520BW · Apr 24, 2016

We grow about 10 acres of it and would
never switch back. It is kinda like the
beans where it's cheap to keep clean.

DeltaRed · Apr 24, 2016

Junk. I would never plant it. I cut/bale enough of it through custom work to get 'aquainted' with it. Only seems to last 3
years.One costomer sprays twice a year. He has huge bare spots in the field.True,no weeds,but no grass or alfalfa.3 years old
and I plowed it out,would have been the 4th year.Started dying in the second year'. I've even had to plow out 1 year old
stuff because it died out.It 'handles' different,too,although I really cant explain.......Fine stemmed,fine/tiny leaves too.Seems to be juicier during
cutting.I seen animals turn up their nose at it.I've seen guys plant grass into sparce stands. Then you get something you cant
spray.Roundup kills the grass.2,4D/banvel etc kills the alfalfa.Have a customer who is goint to plant 'no till' corn into some 3
year(should have been plowed out LAST year) old stuff. We will see how that works out.Not to mention it's over 8 bucks a pound.

gene bender · Apr 24, 2016

Before my broher died he had lots of it most went to Amish for milking goats did it by the book sold all he could produce

notjustair · Apr 24, 2016

I've got a stand. It's getting drowned out in spots so
this will be its last year. I sprayed it the first year and
haven't since. It's a little weedy this year because
we had a dry spring but then we got a rain and now
I don't want to mash the first stand. I don't notice a
difference between it and conventional. This stand
must be about 8 years old.

vscummins · Apr 24, 2016

I would never dare try it for fear of the cows might
start growing 3 heads and 2 bags and 6 legs if you
fed it to em them Gmo seeds are bad news

Nick m · Apr 24, 2016

Lots of people have it around here. The
majority only spray it right off the bat,
when it's only a few inches tall. Takes care
of all weed competition. After that, it's
let go like any other field. I put 10 acres
in two years ago. Was a great field last
year and looking good again this year. Not
sure what is going on in delta reds area,
but the fields last 5-8 years here, and
tonnage seems the same as the other alfalfa.

GMO alfalfa

Eldon (WA)

Well-known Member

mschwartz

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4520BW

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

gene bender

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notjustair

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vscummins

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Nick m

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