Fall Seeding Alfalfa in Northern(ish) Climate?

[DanielW]

This probably should go in the 'Crop Talk' area, but I know not many folks read that area so I thought I might get more input here: I have one small field at our Southern farm I'd like to put in a winter cereal and transition to alfalfa. This is South-Central Ontario, right along the lake, where whether is (slightly) milder and less subject to wild temperature swings due to the lake effect. I prefer fall seeding because most fields always have a few wet areas that make it nearly impossible to get on in the spring. By the time you can get on the fields it's late for seeding: the weed pressure is significantly increased and you've lost a lot of the spring moisture potential.

In another field at that farm where I wanted the same thing a few years ago, I had great luck seeding fall rye then doing a heavy frost-seeding of alfalfa (25#/acre) just as the snow was coming off in March. The alfalfa came along superb. But that was definitely more good luck than good management. Frost-seeding is always touch-and-go, especially with our sandy soil: You really rely on getting a lot of early spring moisture for establishment, and you might lose it all if you get a dry spring or if it starts to germinate and temperatures dip below freezing again for a day or two. I'd rather not take that gamble, especially as I prefer a creeping-root alfalfa variety and the seed costs more and has to ship quite a distance to get there.

That's a long-winded way of coming to the question: What are everyone's thoughts/experiences with seeding down alfalfa this time of year - particularly in Northern(ish) climates? The heat units/climate there is probably comparable to North-Central Michigan, Central Wisconsin, North/Central New York, etc. The circled area in this pic is where it is. I'd mix it with my winter grain (the grain at a lower rate to not out-compete the alfalfa).

There are lots of other discussions on other forums about late summer & fall seeding of alfalfa, but very few of those discussions mention the poster's area: Obviously much different if it were here in Ontario vs. down in Texas.

 

[Richard Nixon]

This probably should go in the 'Crop Talk' area, but I know not many folks read that area so I thought I might get more input here: I have one small field at our Southern farm I'd like to put in a winter cereal and transition to alfalfa. This is South-Central Ontario, right along the lake, where whether is (slightly) milder and less subject to wild temperature swings due to the lake effect. I prefer fall seeding because most fields always have a few wet areas that make it nearly impossible to get on in the spring. By the time you can get on the fields it's late for seeding: the weed pressure is significantly increased and you've lost a lot of the spring moisture potential.

In another field at that farm where I wanted the same thing a few years ago, I had great luck seeding fall rye then doing a heavy frost-seeding of alfalfa (25#/acre) just as the snow was coming off in March. The alfalfa came along superb. But that was definitely more good luck than good management. Frost-seeding is always touch-and-go, especially with our sandy soil: You really rely on getting a lot of early spring moisture for establishment, and you might lose it all if you get a dry spring or if it starts to germinate and temperatures dip below freezing again for a day or two. I'd rather not take that gamble, especially as I prefer a creeping-root alfalfa variety and the seed costs more and has to ship quite a distance to get there.

That's a long-winded way of coming to the question: What are everyone's thoughts/experiences with seeding down alfalfa this time of year - particularly in Northern(ish) climates? The heat units/climate there is probably comparable to North-Central Michigan, Central Wisconsin, North/Central New York, etc. The circled area in this pic is where it is. I'd mix it with my winter grain (the grain at a lower rate to not out-compete the alfalfa).

There are lots of other discussions on other forums about late summer & fall seeding of alfalfa, but very few of those discussions mention the poster's area: Obviously much different if it were here in Ontario vs. down in Texas.

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Without giving it a whole lot of study I would look for a variety that has a numerically low winter survival rating (WS) like 1.0 - 1.8 and a higher fall dormancy rating (FD) like FD4. I would talk to an agronomist before making any decision.

 

[NY 986]

I'm in the Finger Lakes region and typically alfalfa is planted around mid-August. In recent years the weather has been warm into late October so in my opinion there is still time to seed but not much longer. Like Richard said check with your local seed dealer to get a recommendation as to variety that will handle your weather and insect pressures. Alfalfa is pH sensitive so low pH fields should have some lime added ahead of seeding. It's been dry here so hopefully you have moisture to get your seeding off to a fast start.

 

[showcrop]

You have to be right on the ball to catch the narrow window, but fall is generally way better than spring, with less weed pressure and much lower drought probability. There is a neighbor of yours, Bruce in Canada, who is a regular here. You could put a shout out to him.

 

[DanielW]

Thanks kindly to all for responding. The consensus seems to be what I was thinking: Possible (and possibly preferable) to seed late summer/early autumn, but not much time left, and a few factors might dictate success vs. failure. I buy a mixed alfalfa I've had very good luck with (from Golden Acre Seeds - their 'Golden All-star' mix). It contains a mix of varieties. Some of the types in that mix are creeping-root varieties (which I'm a big fan of) and most have a very good winter hardness rating. Unfortunately most also have a low fall dormancy rating, so I do wonder if they'll get sufficient growth and root reserves prior to winter.

I think I'll give it a try. Only 4 acres, so not that much to lose. But unfortunately the clock is ticking quite fast, and it looks like it won't arrive until later next week.

Good idea to ask @Bruce from Can. Though he's about an hour North of our Southern farm (and an hour South of our Northern farm), and there's some significant variation across that span. Far more than you'd think for such a short distance. Down at the Southern farm right by Lake Ontario, the lake effect is significant. Even only a couple miles further North off the lake it's a different story. And up at our Northern farm, as soon as you cross into the shield, it's also a different kettle of fish: Superbly acidic, rocky, sandy soil that only a goofball would try and farm. Even 20 minutes South of there it's like a different country as far as farming goes.