News

Switch to organic alfalfa production is working well for Nebraska farmers

BrenDee and Randy Reinke of Neligh, Nebraska

Northeast Nebraska farmers Randy and BrenDee Reinke say they’re happy with their decision five years ago to transition to organic alfalfa production.

“I did some research and organic was paying three times what the regular commodities were,” says Randy. “I don’t necessarily agree with why that is, but we made the decision to go into organic—and the easiest way to do that is alfalfa.”

BrenDee, who is an accountant, says it made sense for their operation.

“Especially where we’re a small operation. We do it on the side, besides our full-time jobs,” she says. “It’s really helped the cash flow, tapping into that niche market.”

Randy, who also works in his family’s ag implement dealership, has found it takes a lot of planning and timing to produce dairy-quality alfalfa.

“You need to cut the hay in the afternoon because the nutrients are in the plant in the afternoon, and at night the nutrients go into the root system,” he says. “And we’ve only got a small window to rake it, because if you rake it at the wrong time you lose the leaves, and that’s where all the protein is for the animals.”

Randy says a lot of their alfalfa is sold to dairies in Minnesota.

The Reinkes farm near Neligh, Nebraska. They are the recipients of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Agriculture Award.  We visited with the Reinkes in December at the Farm Bureau convention in Kearney.

AUDIO: Randy and BrenDee Reinke

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!