How much does it cost to plant 5 acres of alfalfa?

Alfalfa has to be planted at around 25 pounds per acre if I remember correctly. A 50 pound bag of seed is around $200 last I heard a few years back, so $100 an acre just for seed. Probably $120-150 per acre including tillage costs.

What is the best time to plant alfalfa?

In years with adequate rainfall, late summer or fall is typically the best time to establish alfalfa. Yields from late summer seeding are generally higher than yields from spring seeded alfalfa in the establishment year.

What is the best way to seed alfalfa?

Since alfalfa roots quickly, it doesn’t require deep planting—only about a half inch (1 cm.) deep. Merely sprinkle the seeds evenly onto the soil and cover lightly with dirt. Use about ¼ pound of seeds per 25 square feet and space rows about 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.).

How deep do you seed alfalfa?

2. Control seeding depth. Plant alfalfa seeds three-eighths of an inch below the soil surface.

Is alfalfa hay profitable?

Alfalfa farmers are on their second hay cutting in California’s Central Valley. Alfalfa hay fields are cut from four to ten times a season, averaging about seven tons per acre per year. It’s a profitable crop these days, with prices for high quality hay frequently reaching $250/ton.

How many years does alfalfa last?

Alfalfa can remain productive in stands from four to ten years or more, but as plant population declines renovation eventually becomes necessary.

Can you broadcast alfalfa seed?

Alfalfa seed can be broadcast planted on a clean, tilled seedbed instead of planted with a drill seeder. If broadcast seeding is used, the seedbed should be firmed with a roller or cultipacker before seeding.

What happens if you plant alfalfa too deep?

Alfalfa does not emerge if planted too deep (Figure 6). Poor seed placement (depth) is a very common cause of stand failures. The key point is to assure proper seeding depth (1/4-3/8”) – with slightly deeper plantings appropriate for sandy soils, Figure 7.

How much money do alfalfa farmers make?

Over a three-year average, alfalfa returns a profit of $98.82/acre compared to a $44.77/acre return for corn and $39.68/acre for soybeans, Miller estimated using information from Midwestern farms compiled through the FINBIN database.

How much does a bag of alfalfa seed cost?

Alfalfa seed of modern varieties can cost over $4.00 per pound, while older varieties can be purchased for $2.00 per pound or less.

Can alfalfa reseed itself?

Alfalfa is a crop that naturally tends to lessen its density over time because alfalfa doesn’t reseed itself. Planting more alfalfa into current alfalfa fields is not recommended since alfalfa has autotoxicity characteristics. A good population/density is about 35 well-growing stems per square foot.