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Undersander: Low lignin alfalfa worth the investment

 

A University of Wisconsin forage specialist says more dairy farmers are switching to low lignin varieties of alfalfa.  Dr. Dan Undersander tells Brownfield the low lignin alfalfa gives producers harvest options.  “Harvest at the same time as a conventional (variety) and have significantly higher quality, usually five to six points higher digestible fiber, or we could wait about a week and have the same quality as a conventional harvested that week earlier but of course, we’re going to have a higher yield.”

Dan Undersander

Undersander says the low lignin alfalfa seed is about twice the price but well worth it because producers can benefit from higher feed values and additional tonnage.  He says that extra 50 dollars or so on seed can lead to a ton or two of additional forage, so it’s worth it.

Undersander says there is a way to cut costs that won’t hurt production.  “The conventional seeding rate has been about 18 pounds (per acre), but all of the data shows there’s no advantage to seeding above ten pounds, so they could cut the seeding rate and save a lot of money.”

 

Undersander says it’s important to have a good drill or Brillion seeder to plant alfalfa and to consider hiring someone to plant if the equipment is not on the farm.

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