Craig Sheaffer, Dept. Agronomy and Plant Genetics; and Deborah Samac and Mindy Dornbusch USDA-ARS, Plant Science Research Unit Alfalfa at flowering stage Alfalfa’s value as a nutritious livestock feed, as a contributor of N to crops in rotations, and as continuous living cover is well known. It is an economically and environmentally valuable crop. But often overlooked is the simple beauty of alfalfa’s lush green foliage flowing over the landscape and the accent provided by its deep purple flowers. A closer look at the foliage reveals dainty leaves composed of trifoliolate leaflets and small flowers grouped together in a cluster called a raceme. Individual flowers have a large standard or banner, 2 wings, and a fused keel petal. Within the keel petal are the male and female reproductive parts that are only obvious when the flowers are sprung or tripped by insects or wind. Purple is the dominant flower color of modern alfalfa varieties; however, alfalfa varieties can have plants
Today we’re talking all about fall application. What's the first thing farmers should know about applying in fall? What’s the difference in N efficiency at 50 the degree threshold versus even a 55 degree threshold, and then when have those degree dates happened historically? TRANSCRIPT Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul) Additional resources: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Soil Temperature Network Southern Research and Outreach Center (Waseca, MN) temperature chart Advanced Nitrogen Smart: A deep dive into the 4 Rs --- Click here to listen to all Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast episodes. For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast . And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook , follow us on X (formerl