Radiance HD II Alfalfa (w/Apron® XL)
Radiance HD II (w/Apron® XL) is a dark green, highly digestible alfalfa variety that was bred for high yield, outstanding forage quality, and fast regrowth. Radiance HD II delivers faster recovery after harvest than nearly all other conventional alfalfa varieties and provides added yield for the cash hay producer or dairy farmer. Radiance HD II was bred from alfalfa plants with extremely high yield, disease resistances, and forage digestibility. This makes Radiance HD II one of the highest yielding, persistent, and high forage quality alfalfas available. Radiance HD II responds best with improved alfalfa management.
Radiance HD II alfalfa is pre-inoculated and coated with Apron XL® for improved growth and establishment.
(Apron XL® is NOT approved for Organic use!)
*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.