By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin may be a top alfalfa producing state, but that doesn't mean alfalfa is increasing in acreage. The number of acres used for alfalfa has been steadily declining over the past two decades. Because of its importance to the dairy industry, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison is exploring ways to keep alfalfa in the crop rotation.
One promising practice is intercropping alfalfa with corn. This involves planting alfalfa between the rows of corn at the same time or within two weeks of planting the corn. The corn is then harvested in the fall, and the alfalfa resprouts and is ready to cover crop benefits in the fall. It will then be ready for full production next year.
Research has shown that intercropping alfalfa with corn can increase alfalfa yields by up to 6 tons per acre, compared to 2-3 tons per acre for alfalfa planted in the second year. Intercropping can also increase profitability by 10-15%. Environmental benefits include reduced nitrogen runoff and soil erosion.
Currently, there are only a few small farms in Wisconsin that are using intercropping to keep alfalfa in the crop rotation. However, researchers at UW-Madison are hopeful that this practice will take off in the future.
"It doesn't fit everyone's needs, there are some obstacles," said Mark Renz, a professor and extension specialist with UW-Madison who is focusing research on the interseeding of alfalfa with corn. "But I think the benefits way outweigh some of those potential risks."
Renz believes that intercropping alfalfa with corn can help stop the decline of alfalfa acreage in Wisconsin.
"We get a lot of environmental benefit and economic benefit for our dairy production," he said. "We wanted to find other ways to keep alfalfa in the rotation and in the soil. So, we came up with this interseeded system where we plant them together so we get the benefit of the corn silage...but then that alfalfa will be on the land over time giving those environmental and dairy benefits."
Photo Credit: gettyimages-goodlifestudio
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Alfalfa