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Alfalfa growth slowed by cold weather in Minnesota
A lack of sun and warmth is stunting alfalfa development in at least one Midwestern state.
University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Dave Nicolai says it’s been an abnormally cool spring.
“Really cold temperatures have really slowed that growth and availability.”
He encourages farmers to wait until alfalfa stems are two inches or taller with a rule of thumb that if stem counts are over 55 stems per square foot it’s a good stand.
“But in contrast if you have stem densities of 39 stems per square foot or less, then expect those yields and those stands to be low enough to consider replacing.”
Nicolai tells Brownfield older stands are at greatest risk with alfalfa growth the slowest he’s seen in several years.
