Overall, producing and preserving alfalfa in cold climates requires technical planning and strategic decisions at every stage, from cutting to feedout.

One of the things we have learned over the years is that new alfalfa seedings that have good growing conditions yield much better in future years. Said another way – seeding year stress lowers yield potential of alfalfa in future years.

Now when the weather is warm is when we should begin preparing alfalfa for winter, if we want good winter survival and high yield next spring.

When winterkill hit the alfalfa fields, Legacy Farms grew award-winning mixed grass haylage instead.

Cover crops, soil health, extended grazing and 13-way mixes are all buzzwords in the agronomic world today.