Attention II Alfalfa (w/Apron® XL)
Attention II Alfalfa (w/Apron® XL) is a proven, high yielding proven alfalfa that carries the StandFast™ Alfalfa Technology trait for improved standability and faster recovery after harvest. Attention II’s strength is its advantage in providing high forage quality hay in an aggressive managed system with good yields still in the 4th and 5th cuttings.
Attention II alfalfa is pre-inoculated and coated with Apron XL® for improved growth and establishment.
(Apron XL is NOT approved for Organic use!)
Inoculation is recommended when planting legumes.
*Details on seed coatings and inoculations are available on our Resources Page.
Establishment
Plant alfalfa at 1/4″ depth in a soil bed that is moist, fertile and firm. Plant at least 1/2″ depth on sandy soils.
Alfalfa prefers crumbly silt loam to sandy loam textures, but alfalfa will grow well on most deep, well-drained soils with adequate internal and surface drainage.
The pH level for alfalfa should be 6.5-7.2.
Alfalfa may be planted in spring or early fall.
*Do not harvest alfalfa seeded in late summer/early fall until the following spring.
*Alfalfa will die if the soil is saturated for an extended period.
Management
For maximum yields, it is important to have 20-30 plants per square foot during the seedling year for protection against weed competition.
Apply lime and fertilizer as needed.
Alfalfa is a heavy potash user, some micronutrient supplements would be beneficial (boron, sulfur, zinc).
First year seedings should be cut at 25% bloom.
Cut alfalfa three-four times a year from budding to full flower, depending on forage quality needed.
The last cutting or grazing of alfalfa should be 4 weeks before the killing frost.