US: Interseeding alfalfa into corn silage shows promise

Seeding alfalfa into corn silage initially may not seem like a good idea, but Mark Renz, professor and Extension weed specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says this method addresses several issues in corn silage and alfalfa rotations. “Rotating corn silage and alfalfa is a common practice for providing livestock forage,” Renz says. “However, alfalfa yields less forage compared to corn silage, which leads farmers to grow it less often. Corn silage can yield about 10 tons of dry matter per acre, whereas alfalfa, once established, might yield about 6 tons per acre.” This yield gap is particularly evident in alfalfa’s seeding year, he notes. “Producers plant alfalfa in spring after growing corn or other crops for a few years,” Renz explains. “However, spring-seeded alfalfa requires much of the season just to establish before it can be harvested.” One significant issue with corn silage is the lack of ground cover after harvest. This can lead to soil and nutrient runoff ...