Alfalfa planting reaches its sweet spot between late April and early May
Agrolink – Seane Lennon
Published on 04/01/2024 at 11:33 pm.
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Photo: Cristina Brito/Embrapa
Alfalfa, known as the “forage queen”, has its main production hub in Brazil in Rio Grande do Sul, thanks to its historical introduction in the state’s German colonies, according to Emater/RS-Ascar. Currently, the Missões region stands out as the largest production center for this important agricultural resource, offering a potential yield of eight to nine cuts per year.
The fundamental role played by Emater/RS-Ascar in the promotion and development of culture does not go unnoticed. Marcelo Brandoli, agronomist and state technical manager at Emater/RS-Ascar, highlights the institution’s active participation in the Research, Innovation and Extension Network in Alfalfa (Repie Alfafa), a Latin American collaboration group that brings together universities, units of Embrapa, researchers, extensionists and farmers from different countries.
According to Brandoli, alfalfa planting reaches its ideal point between the end of April and the beginning of May, a period that favors the plant’s root development, ensuring better productivity over the years.
Technical assistance from Emater/RS-Ascar plays a fundamental role in preparing the soil for alfalfa cultivation, guiding farmers on correction practices and appropriate management. Additionally, Emater suggests pre-cultivating crops such as corn or soybeans to control weed growth. After germination, a period of 90 days is recommended for the first cut, always above eight to 10 cm from the plant’s crown.
With information from Emater/RS*
