Don't compromise on best practices for rotating alfalfa to corn when field work is delayed

By Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Agronomist

There are many advantages to planting corn after alfalfa, including greater yield potential, reduced nitrogen needs from fertilizer or manure, and reduced pest pressure compared to when corn follows other crops. The degree to which these and other benefits are achieved is contingent upon successful termination of alfalfa, as alfalfa can greatly complete with corn for water and nitrogen. Therefore, avoid compromising on best practices when rotating alfalfa to corn, even when spring field work is delayed.

In many fields where corn follows alfalfa, preplant or early postemergence applications of herbicides, along with additional time for or between field operations, may be required for adequate termination of alfalfa. Strategies for successful alfalfa termination are available at http://z.umn.edu/rotation.

Nitrogen management guidelines for first- and second-year corn following alfalfa are available at http://z.umn.edu/fertilizingcorn. These guidelines are based on factors such as soil texture, age of alfalfa at termination, and alfalfa termination timing.

More educational resources on corn production are available at Extension's Corn Production website.