Alf/Orch and Alf yeild

Anonymous-0 · Mar 3, 2009

What could I expect for a yield from a field of 80% alfalfa/20% orchard grass mix and a straight alfalfa mix in northeast Iowa?

I know it depends on the soil, but I just need a rough idea for a project. Will the orch grass crowd out the alfalfa eventualy?

Anonymous-0 · Mar 3, 2009

Yes, the orchard grass will crowd out the alfalfa in a few years. How long depends on how good the site is for alfalfa, neutral ph, good drainage. I would guess in about five years or less.

Billy NY · Mar 3, 2009

Typically, aside from variances specific to your location, it will crowd out in a few years from what I have seen, obviously you only get so many years of straight alfalfa anyway, some of these mixtures produce some nice stands around here, orchard grass seems to be really hearty, I have one small field that is 80% orchard, and seems to have only 2 types of weeds without being sprayed, it was alfalfa and timothy in the late 60's, nothing else planted since, just mowed a few times a year, could be a nice little stand if sprayed for broad leaf or whatever is appropriate.

My neighbor had 2 10+ acre fields of alfalfa, that eventually thinned out with hay grasses, the last few crops of hay in the last year or 2, before he put it back into corn were excellent, really nice 2nd cut came off those fields, nice green leafy grasses with some alfalfa mixed in, I bought a bunch of it, the horses would not leave a scrap of it behind.

GordoSD · Mar 3, 2009

I'm not real sure about Iowa, but I'd guess about 5T per acre, assuming you get maisture and three good cuttings.What do you get out there in the desert Allan?

Gordo

Anonymous-0 · Mar 3, 2009

fertilize the crop that is getting crowded out - if the alfalfa is being crowded out - give the nutrients that help alfalfa the most at the optimum time for alfalfa.....

Anonymous-0 · Mar 3, 2009

I have some alfalfa/orchardgrass - planted it 50/50 - one area is like 80%alfalfa and the other area seems like 75% orchardgrass - just germinated differently with differebt seedbed preps I guess

BUt - another thing - if alfalfa starts getting crowded out - cut it to favor the alfalfa - take lots of cuttings (especially late nes) and cut them as short as you can - alfalfa grows back from the root - but the grass grows back from the remaining grass that is left after mowing

Alf/Orch and Alf yeild

Anonymous-0

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Billy NY

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GordoSD

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