Don’t Cut Alfalfa After Sept 1 in Wisconsin Field Day Advice
In St Croix County farmers heard from UW Marshfield researchers that cutting alfalfa between September 1 and October 15 greatly raises the risk of severe winter kill, with four of the last five years showing losses. Experts estimate reestablishing alfalfa costs about 125 dollars per acre. The Draxler Lofty Acres operation hosted the session, which also praised oatsage and direct seeding methods, warning against using oats as a competing grain rain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wisconsin
Uw-Marshfield
Garyt Tenpas
West Central
Bob Draxler
Alfalfa leaf hoppers feared in west central Wisconsin
Entomologist Mel Milbrath warned area farmers at Lofty Acres Farm in St. Croix County that alfalfa leaf hoppers now reach an economic level, threatening losses of ten or more bales per acre. He urged spraying with sevin, diazinon, or malathion as populations rise, with more hoppers due to rapid hatching.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Western Wisconsin Forage Council
Mel Milbrath
Pro Ag
Menomonie
Bob, Joe
Dan Draxler
Milbrath
Wisconsin
District 1 Technical Institute
Eau Claire
Alfalfa seeding and fall cutting guidance from Tom Lawin
The guide notes fall regrowth after Sept 1 to Oct 15 is only 3 to 4 inches, risking insufficient winter reserves. It warns against light cover crop oats and advises soil incorporation of chemicals, with Eptam as a preferred direct seed herbicide. Seeding rate recommended at 12 to 18 pounds per acre, and a veteran cautionary quote on not cutting in fall.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tenpas
Marshfield
Wisconsin
Also Mentioned on This Page
Glenwood City
Council
St. Croix County
Draxler Family
Lofty Acres Farm
Mr. Tenpas
Joe
Bob
Bugs
Tom Lawin
Peper Eee
Philip and
Dennis Anson
R. RT. 1
Richmond