A26-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 20,1985 _ , — Best time to seed alfalfa NEWARK, Del. - It will soon be time to put in alfalfa, for farmers who prefer fall seedings. It’s important to be ready for this operation since alfalfa is an ex pensive crop to plant. “Some very important decisions must be made in order to give a fall seeding every possible chance to succeed,” says University of Delaware extensions agricultural agent Dean Belt. Factors to consider when planting alfalfa include site selection, soil fertility and pH, varietal selection, soil preparation and inoculants. Belt recommends the following procedures. Site Selection - Select a field with deep, rich, well-drained soil that can hold water during drought conditions. “Alfalfa won’t tolerate poor drainage,” the agricultural agent warns. “So be choosy. Don’t plant in a field just because it happens to be available. And don’t plant where high rates of triazines have been used within the past year.” Fertility - Plan ahead for an alfalfa planting. This crop uses 24”circulat w/Mounting Cord, Switc And Grill Size Bale 900-1200 Lb, 1200-1800 Lb 1800-2200 Lb • Maximum Sediment Retention • Maximum Strength • Efficient Flow Rate Kendall First Choi' • Dry Cow Mastitis Reg. 7.99 SALE *5.99 CEILING FAN - 56" THE ENERGY SAVER • Variable Speed • Controls Also Savings in Winter.... U[ Available Cooling in Summer - YOU CAN DEPEND ON US - Max Air Delivery 20,500 CFM’s - • Warehouses • Barns • Stores #*) * ®^' ce * Churches • Greenhouses Bk 3 Year “Heavy Duty Reg. $109.99 056 W Warranty Motor SALE *79.99 high rates of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, boron and sulfur. It needs soils with a pH of 6.8 to 7.0. Start liming at least a year before the intended planting date. “A soil test is a must to know what you are starting with and what needs to be applied,” Belt says. “If manure is available, use it.” Liquid manure can be used as a top dressing but don’t put it on new seedings. On older stands that are thick and free of weeds only use liquid manure between cuttings - but never apply more than 5 tons per acre. TTie nitrogen in the manure will stimulate weedy stands and you’ll lose your alfalfa. Varieties There are many excellent new varieties to add to the old ones. Select those that have done well in variety trials for several years. “Use a new variety only on a limited basis until it has proven itself over a few years of evaluation,” Belt says. “Contact your local extension office for information on the results of recent variety trials. Soil Preparation Before NG FAN *l-5 Fans Bracket, • 6 oi Ph. 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Loose or poorly worked soil allows seeds to fall through spaces, becoming too deep for proper germination. Using a cultipacker before and after seeding works well; or, for the ideal method, use a cultipacker seeder. “If you’re concerned about weeds, apply Eptam or Balan preplant incorporated 4 to 6 inches deep according. to label in structions,” the county agent advises. “These herbicides do a good job on grasses and some broadleaf weeds, so use them on pure alfalfa stands only. If broadleaf weeds become a problem, use 2,4-DB after alfalfa seedlings have at least two trifoliate leaves and weeds are no more than 3 inches tall.” Do consider no-till alfalfa, but only on fields where the pH is at the proper level, fertility is up and weeds are under control. Barley or WE UPS ANYWHERE R D #l, Rte 272 South, Hermlle Rd , Willow Street, Pa PRICES EFFECTIVE THRU JULY 27th Every Ball Guaranteed STORAGE TANKS Also Avail 1850 & 3000 Gal. 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