Forage: How to get great yields no matter the weather

Weather conditions in recent years have made life tough for forage plants. Many farmers have had to completely change the way they do things. Some manage to continually improve their operation year after year, no matter the weather. Winter is a great time to ask questions, get informed and make a plan for more resilient forage systems on your farm. Here are a few ways you can get started.

 

Know your soil type and soil structure

To make your crops more resilient in difficult weather conditions, you need to know the land you’re farming. Knowing your soil type will help you decide how to:

• Maintain or increase the amount of organic matter

• Reduce compaction

• Apply lime

• Choose the right fertilizers

Reducing compaction allows roots to grow deeper and better reach water. Good soil structure makes it possible for water to sink deep into the soil rather than running off.

Liming can have a positive effect on soil structure and nutrient availability. The pH should be kept at around 6.8 to promote alfalfa growth and recovery.

Fertilizing ensures rapid growth and helps plants survive the winter. A good cover crop can prevent the soil from drying out due to wind. In turn, good winter survival rates mean more soil coverage, which also reduces evapotranspiration.

 

Make sure you’re planting smart

Forage seeds need to rest on a firm seedbed, surrounded by small aggregates about the size of an alfalfa seed, with slightly larger aggregates on the soil surface.

Make sure the soil is firm before you plant. Then, roll the soil before sowing. Use equipment that incorporates the seeds to a depth of 0.6 to 1.2 centimetres (¼ to ½ inches), or up to 2 centimetres (¾ inch) in sandy soils. Roll the soil again after sowing to ensure uniformity and give the seeds proper contact with the soil.

Fescue, bromegrass and orchardgrass have the best recovery in the summer and during dry spells. They have larger seeds that need to be planted with the appropriate equipment.

Planting requires precision. It is well worth taking the time to calibrate your machinery, check your seed depth and prepare the soil before planting, rather than having to start from square one when you realize that your soil moisture is lacking. 

 

Use the right fertilizers at the right time

It is important to give your forage crops the fertilizer they need, at the right time and in the right amount. First, make sure your fertilization plan will give your crops enough total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur. If your crops don’t get enough of these nutrients, it can affect yield, recovery, drought resistance and winter survival.

It is best to apply solid or liquid manure in the summer just after cutting, except during intense droughts. Applying manure after cutting in August can also be beneficial due to the potassium boost it offers. Avoid applying liquid manure to alfalfa that has already begun regrowing, even late in the season. The machinery can cause damage, leading to empty patches for weeds to fill in. You can also use 3010 Alfalfa, a variety with a deep-set crown that helps to mitigate this damage.

 

Invest in high-quality seeds

Your first thought may be to save on seeds for such a short planting season, but when you crunch the numbers, you quickly realize that cheap seeds are not profitable.

The difference in yield between the best and worst alfalfa seeds on the market is enormous.

Unfortunately, it is rare to find a precise measurement of meadow yields. In tests conducted at our crop production research farm, we have observed a difference in yield of 4 tonnes of dry matter per hectare in the first year of production.

If we value forage at $225 per tonne of dry matter, a high-yield alfalfa can generate up to $900 more per hectare in its first year. That’s why high-performance varieties are worth the money, even in a very short rotation.

The right variety of alfalfa for your needs will be more profitable than a low-priced older variety.

• Amina Alfalfa: For high-quality silage and plants with more leaves and fewer stems

• Althea Alfalfa: For fast cutting practices and superior recovery and winter survival

• Isabella Alfalfa and Slingshot Alfalfa: For the perfect balance between yield and quality and longer-lasting meadows

• Magnum 8-Wet Alfalfa: For variable fields with some wetter areas

• 3010 Alfalfa: For liquid manure fertilization with less crop damage

Ultimately, if your soils are healthy, high-pH, fertile and rich in organic matter, they will be more resilient to the whims of Mother Nature. Forage crops need to be planted very precisely, but it is worth the investment of time and money, because strong, well-established meadows will always pay off!

Source: The original version of this article was published in Coopérateur magazine.