Alfalfa Seed Harvest?????

When,how and where do they harvest Alfalfa seed?

What kind of yields do they get? And I assume they bale the stems when finished??

Gary

Stan

I can't speak to other parts of the country, though.

How detailed do you want me to get?

Alfalfa seed is usually planted as a row crop & grown in dedicated fields. It can be cultivated (especially the first year) to aid weed control. Although honey bees will occasionally work alfalfa seed, Leaf Cutter bees are primarily used for alfalfa pollination.

Weed control is critical for growing certified seed. Hand hoeing is often required (this is from pre-RR (R) days), all clovers are the biggest problem, as the seed sizes / density are very close.

Here, we usually don't get frost until ~October 1st, so the seed fields are chemically defoliated in mid-August after (most of) the seed has matured. Its a balance between maturing seed, and the early-set seeds becoming too dry and shattering ahead of the combine.

Special screens are used, and the combines are caulked (i.e. around lift augers, etc) to ensure no gaps that seed may fall through. My neighbor (growing up) used (IIRC) an IH 1460 (and a JD 6620?) for many years.

Seed is hauled in specially constructed (and covered) boxes, off-loaded with a forklift at the seed company warehouse.

I couldn't find any good pictures with a few minutes of 'net searching...I will pull a few together tonight and over the weekend.

Nathaniel
IPM bug-collector in Alfalfa seed - summer '96

• Company I worked for

Depends on the year, but if the conditions/timing are just right, sometimes that last cutting will set on seed and be very short.

Combine the stuff by direct cutting after the frost when the seed has dried down and just throw those short little stems right out the back.

Can usually combine all day long and still not get half a tankful. :>)

Allan

I know some is combined in Wyoming.

Is there some around you also Allan.

Gary

I just don't like field-run seed. Doesn't seem to have the vigor like the certified stuff does.

Might just be my imagination tho.

Allan