Sowing management

• Choose a well-drained field and apply a herbicide to eliminate all weeds (including grasses).
• Cultivate to achieve a fine, even seedbed, with no compaction layers.
• Choose high-quality, certified seed. Certified alfalfa varieties promote a better germination rate and establishment, better dry matter production, and better pest and disease resistance.
• Dry soils. Avoid sowing alfalfa seed into dry soils. Sow early in dry areas to ensure seedlings have adequate moisture for successful establishment.
• Plant alfalfa no deeper than 2 cm. Optimum soil depth is 6 - 12 mm on clay and loam soils and 12 – 20 mm on sands.
• Sow at 20 - 30 kg/ha.

For more information on when to sow alfalfa (sowing date) and sowing depth, download our calendar guide: click here.