Fertilizing Alfalfa

When is the best time to fertilize alfalfa? Last year’s crop was a good stand but did not get any height. Last fall we added 18 tons of lime on 12 acres. Normally they put on fertilizer after 1st cutting here in central Iowa. thought about doing it now. Any suggestions?

Edited by Curt IA - 26 Mar 2012 at 9:48pm

Our Co-op custom applies  in all months except winter

Split apps are a  good thing , but myself i  like fall fertilizing ..Less compaction , and you can take advantage of a delayed billing cycle

bill2260 wrote: Fertilize in the fall after the growing season is not the best use for your money. Co-ops like this option to keep the cash flowing during off period of the year. I read in the farm magazines how large corn growers apply nitrogen in the fall. This N will be gone by spring. Never did understand that practice. Bill

 Something called N-serve was invented many years ago and N losses at lower ground temperatures are minimal. Loss of N also depends on your soil type and PH.

When I raised alfalfa to sell I had my soil tested and was given a chart that told me how much fertilizer to put on and when. I my case it was 400 pounds per acre  directly after each cutting for maximum yield.

N serve used in the correct soils with fall applied N  works.  I've seen it too many times and seen it compared and tested too many times in local trials. 

N losses are mainly only experienced with a urea type product as they can turn into a nitrate more readily and be leached out, than say anhydrous ammonia.  Anhydrous losses are minimal if the ground temp is right, and the soil surface seals good after application, mininmizing volatiliztion losses to the atmosphere.  I still prefer spring applications, but if conditions are right in the fall, and you have time, I would do it.