Alfalfa question

[Sheepwheat]

I seeded some alfalfa last spring. It was a good “catch”. Looked normal going into fall. This spring it has been extremely slow growing. Nodules are fixing, moisture has been good. Alfalfa seeded the year prior in the same field looks normal.

This stuff is just not branching out. Rows are visible. This year there have been weather challenges for sure, namely colder and dryer than usual. I’ve never had a nutrient deficiency in alfalfa in the first year, as the roots are lengthening and exploring still. It is marginally better in low areas.

I was wondering about herbicide residue, but that field hasn’t had anything remotely residual in years. It has not seen any chemical other than glyphosate prior to seeding.

So what do you alfalfa people think? I am leaning nutrient def. such as P or maybe K? I just don’t know what else I could be? Frustrating.

[Blaithin]

Autotoxicity?

[AlbertaFarmer5]

I seeded some alfalfa last spring. It was a good “catch”. Looked normal going into fall. This spring it has been extremely slow growing. Nodules are fixing, moisture has been good. Alfalfa seeded the year prior in the same field looks normal.

This stuff is just not branching out. Rows are visible. This year there have been weather challenges for sure, namely colder and dryer than usual. I’ve never had a nutrient deficiency in alfalfa in the first year, as the roots are lengthening and exploring still. It is marginally better in low areas.

I was wondering about herbicide residue, but that field hasn’t had anything remotely residual in years. It has not seen any chemical other than glyphosate prior to seeding.

So what do you alfalfa people think? I am leaning nutrient def. such as P or maybe K? I just don’t know what else I could be? Frustrating.

I believe you said you enjoyed an earlier than normal and dry spring?

We have had terrible first year hay crops whenever that happens. They get an early start, then run out of moisture and just don't do much, regardless of fertility. Happened year after year in the late 90's, early 2000's.

[seldomseen]

I don't think it would be nutrient related. Big Alfalfa area here and mostly unfertilized.

Alfalfa can start slow but ounce it gets its roots spread out and deep its good and finding the nutrients it needs.
I would guess environmental and often cutting it can change everything.

[Guest]

never looked better in this corner
white combine should be in transit
gonna be purple by the time they get their wings

[Road Apples]

Multiple nights of frost first week of May would set it back.
Dry coming out of winter - earlier the better regarding rainfall when it comes to any type of forage.