Legumes - Alfalfa - Forages of Florida - Solutions for Your Life - UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

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Alfalfa
Species:	Alfalfa
Scientific Name:	Medicago sativa
Cultivars:	Florida 99. Bulldog 805, and Amerigraze 702. For the cool-season forage variety recommendations report, click this link.
Growth Habit:	Upright growth 2-3 feet tall, purple flowers; compound leaves (3 leaflets).
Life Cycle:	Short term perennial in Florida
Origin:	Mediterranean (Iran)
Production Season:	April to October
Nutritive Value:	Varies depending on maturity (leaf:stem ratio) Usually medium to high crude protein; medium to high digestibility.
Use:	Hay, silage, grazing (in mixture with grasses).
Herbarium Image:	For an herbarium image click this link, and this link.
Adaptation
Soil:	Sandy-loam, adapted to sandy soils
pH:	6.5- 7.5
Rainfall:	Tolerates drought but not prolonged flooding. Requires at least 6 inches of water to produce one ton of forage
Temperature:	Widely adapted to cool climates
Management
Planting Date:	October 1 to November 15
Planting Depth:	1/4-1/2 inch
Seeding Rate:	15 to 20 lb/acre Inoculate seed with rhizobium bacteria type 'A', Alfalfa group
Seed Cost:	Bulldog 505 ($3.60/lb; $54 to 72/acre) Cimarron VL 500 ($3.8/lb; $57 to 76/acre)
Fertilization:	For fertilization info click this link
Production:	6000 to 10000 lb/acre
Notes
In Florida, production is limited to 3 or less years. Not widely planted in the state because of high production costs and management requirements. Mostly in panhandle (North and West). Hay contaminated with blister beetle may cause blister beetle poisoning. High feed value for cattle and horses. Pest problems in Florida include leaf spot, rusts, root rots, nematodes, alfalfa weevil, leafhopper, fall army worm, velvet bean caterpillar. Graze at height of 10-16 inches and stop grazing when at 3-4 inches; rest period: 15-30 days for grazing and 35-40 days for hay production.

Alfalfa

Adaptation

Management

Notes