By Water & Cropping Systems Extension Educators Matheus Ribeiro, Ritika Lamichhane and John Nelson
For Nebraska producers seeking to improve the profitability of alfalfa as a cash crop, successful alfalfa production begins with proper site selection: deep, well-drained soils and a pH of 6.2–7.5 are ideal, making soil testing essential. Choosing certified, inoculated, disease-resistant seed varieties adapted to Nebraska conditions further enhances stand establishment and long-term performance.
Proper planting involves establishing a firm seedbed and placing seed at approximately 1/4-inch depth during early spring or late summer. Fertility management is based strictly on soil test requirements, particularly phosphorus, potassium and sulfur. In Southeast Nebraska, spring seeding is recommended between April 1 and May 15. Soil moisture conditions for spring seeding are generally favorable in the region, but weed control in new stands should be managed very carefully. August seeding can help avoid some weed control problems, but fall precipitation and soil moisture limitations can make establishment difficult.
Harvest timing is a major driver of profitability. Cutting at the early-bud stage maximizes forage quality, including protein and digestibility, which, in turn, improves market value. To access premium markets, growers are encouraged to measure and document hay quality through Relative Feed Value (RFV) and protein tests.
Maintaining stand health is also crucial. Strong new stands typically have 25–30 plants per square foot; when densities fall below 15 plants per square foot, renovation or crop rotation becomes advisable. Yield expectations vary by production system: irrigated alfalfa generally produces 7–8 tons per acre at RFV 150+ and 18–20% protein, while dryland systems yield 4–5 tons per acre with moderately lower quality. Grass–alfalfa mixes yield moderately with more variable quality metrics.
Major production expenses — seed, lime, fertilizer, irrigation, pest control, harvest, storage, transport and land charge need to be examined closely when making the decision to move from grain to alfalfa. Herbicide carryover is another key consideration within corn–soybean–alfalfa rotations; persistent products such as atrazine, imazethapyr, and metolachlor, acetochlor require long waiting periods before alfalfa can be safely planted. Conversely, some alfalfa herbicides restrict rotation back to row crops.
Stand longevity depends on management practices and soil and environmental conditions. Gradual declines in productivity and plant density can begin in year three, and by year four or five, most stands benefit from renovation or rotation into another crop.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The American Society of Agronomy’s “Alfalfa Management Guide” offers information and strategies for alfalfa establishment, production and harvest. Go to https://tinyurl.com/mwdfd3y5