Alfalfa - Crop Use Guide
Planting through Growth Years 1-3
Granular Insights Frequency:
- Leverage weekly Directed Scouting emails to highlight which fields need your attention.
- Log into Granular Insights at least 2-3 times a week to monitor stand growth and uniformity.
- Use the Field Ranking filters to check crop rankings against what you know what your fields.
What to Look For & Actions to Take:
- Early Weed Pressure: Areas with abnormally high vegetation index may suggest that there is weed pressure. However, if you have a good stand after planting, alfalfa will choke out the majority of weeds.
- Replant Decisions: Low vegetation index areas may indicate areas in the field with a poor stand. Depending on stand counts, replanting may be viable.
- Irrigation Management: Alfalfa is a water intensive plant. During early stages of regrowth its crucial to refill the soil profile. Ensure that irrigation systems are working properly by monitoring the vegetation index. Look for patterns of low vegetation that may indicate pivot and irrigation system malfunctions.
- Insecticide Applications: During the early stages after planting, apply insecticides if weevils or other pests are present. Look for areas of low vegetation when monitoring.
Harvest - Swathing and Raking
Utilize the vegetation index to monitor dry down.
Granular Insights Frequency:
- Leverage the vegetation index map layer to monitor dry down
- Log into Granular Insights 2-3 times weekly to help determine when rows should be raked and baled.
- Use the field ranking filters to track field activity on a general level.
What To Look For & Actions to Take:
- Swathing: Once the field is cut and swathed, vegetation index will reflect rows throughout the field.
- Dry Down: As the Alfalfa begins to dry down, the field will begin to show as uniform medium vegetation index map layer as Alfalfa loses its color.
- Bailing: Rake and bale Alfalfa rows as soon as dry down is complete. Once rows show consistent uniformity in the vegetation index map layer, make decisions on when to bale the field.
Growth: Year 4-5
Granular Insights Frequency:
- Weekly Directed Scouting emails will help indicate top fields of interest.
- Log into Granular Insights at least 1-2 times a week.
- Take advantage of field ranking filters to check field rankings to compare what you know about your fields vs. what is shown by your imagery.
What to Look For & Actions to Take:
- Crop Rotation: Weed pressure can be monitored by looking for areas reflecting high vegetation index. When significant weed pressure is detected as plants begin to age and die, corn rotation should be considered.
- Weed Management: A one year crop rotation will help eliminate pests and reduce weed pressure in Alfalfa fields. Alfalfa provides significant source of Nitrogen, making it ideal for corn rotation.
- Irrigation Management: Monitor irrigation system performance by checking the vegetation index. Look for patterns of low vegetation that may indicate pivot and irrigation system malfunctions.
*Not all uses and decisions that can be made at this time are documented above.*
