Soil School: Feeding alfalfa for healthy soil and higher yield

The soil health benefits of growing a forage crop like alfalfa are well documented.
Traditionally a staple crop on livestock farms, alfalfa delivers increased biomass, especially in its root structure where the plant boasts a large tap root which contributes to soil health, while reducing compaction. There's also increased organic matter and water-holding capacity, more biodiversity and better nutrient cycling - all contributing to healthier, more productive soil.
But is it possible to feed alfalfa to even further increase soil health and yield? On this episode of RealAgriculture's Soil School, Mosaic technical sales manager Aaron Stevanus shares how alfalfa responds to fertility and what that means for the soil and a grower's bottom line.
#SoilHealth #Yield #Alfalfa #Agronomy #Farming
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[@scottschaeffer8920]

The more I think about the past, and the way my grandad farmed, the more I believe he/they had it right back then. Fallow fields with green manure crops was the norm in his long rotations. It was a rich countryside.

[@murtazaajhandirr7687]

Any practical video on how to make a barley silage?

[@harrowking4980]

Legume is good in general, but when you talking about alfalfa, can you tell us What kind of crop rotation you use? Is 7.71 statistically different from 7.97?

[@aaronstevanus4902]

Hi Harrow King, thank you for your questions! The rotation in that field is: Alfalfa, Corn, Soybeans, Alfalfa (this field is in it's 4 years). and yes the yield difference between 7.71 and 7.97 is statistically different.

[@harrowking4980]

@@aaronstevanus4902 Thanks!

[@dawsonrichter215]

So out west here in alberta, we don't get rains like you guys do in Ontario. Would it be wise to use a disc drill to band in fertilizer into the ground after each cut vs spreading it on and risking fertilizer burn if we don't get that rain after application?

[@aaronstevanus4902]

Hi Dawson, thank you for your question, this is great! My biggest concern with using a disc drill to band fertilizer is the damage it may cause to the crowns of the alfalfa . If moisture is your limiting factor could you apply your fertility in the spring or in the fall when you know you will have some form of precipitation?

[@dawsonrichter215]

@@aaronstevanus4902 oh okay. Yes we could do that, but the would involve us having to either buy, rent or get it custom applicated. With our no till disc drill we own, would be a cheaper alternative to applying fertilizer.

[@parchechuletaovero9507]

👏👏.

[@ilyashussain7834]

If I tell you about my agricultural land, will you guide me? We planted sugarcane in seven acres of land which was irrigated with canal water and also sprayed with fertilizers and pesticides but we got the weight of sugarcane equal to the total weight of 64,000 kg which is probably very low average. Please guide۔۔۔ my country is pakistan🇵🇰

[@sherbangash6523]

Well, what's the average yield/acre in your area?

[@soner818]

Don't use fertilizers and pesticides. Try a diversity of plants in your sugarcane (sunflower or corn), monoculture is a sure path to soil and plant sickness.