Higher-quality hay at a lower cost: interseeding alfalfa into bermudagrass is a win-win, say southern growers

摘要

Alfalfa is literally gaining ground in the South. Traditionally ber-mudagrass and tall-fescue territory, the region recently is sporting fields of the perennial legume - inter-seeded into bermudagrass. In Georgia, for example, a handful of traditionalbermuda-hay growers have taken to fall-planting alfalfa into suppressed and closely clipped bermudagrass. They harvest additional, nearly pure alfalfa cuttings early in spring and later in fall. By summer cuttings, their bermudagrass comes on strong. The growers find that the extra management and time required to grow and harvest alfalfa are more than worth it.