WS L550 Alfalfa (w/Apex™ Green)
WS L550 Alfalfa (w/Apex™ Green) is a newer, branch-rooted alfalfa with high resistance to Aphanomyces Root Rot 2.
WS L550 was bred for high quality, superior yield and fast recovery after harvest. WS L550 has a high expression of the branch root feature, making WSL550 very persistent in both well and poorly drained soils.
WS L550 has become a very popular choice with dairy and beef producers!
WS L550 alfalfa is an untreated/non-gmo alfalfa pre-inoculated and coated with an OMRI listed inoculant and coating for improved establishment and growth.
Inoculation is recommended when planting legumes.
*Details on seed coatings, inoculations and our OMRI certificate are available on our Resources Page.
OMRI Listed
No
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.