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Inspect alfalfa for winter damage in April

A University of Wisconsin agronomist says it’s too soon to know if the winter thaw and re-freeze damaged alfalfa plants.  Dr. Dan Undersander tells Brownfield there is reason for concern.  “Soil fertility, the winter hardiness of the variety, the fall dormancy of the variety, and also the topography whether you’re at the top of a hill or in a valley or something like that can affect the temperature by several degrees.”

Undersander says it’s important to scout the fields around the 1^st of April after the ground has thawed and dig up a plant or two to inspect the tap roots.  “If it’s turgid and off-white like the inside of a potato, then that’s a healthy plant at that point and will eventually come out.  If on the other hand that tap root is dehydrated, it’s kind of brown and ropey, then that plant is dead.”

If replanting is necessary, Undersander encourages a year or two of another crop first, like corn.  He says the decaying alfalfa roots give off a compound that inhibits growth and yield of new alfalfa.