Mentor
Sep 14 | 03:17 PM
Hi Van, we have tried with rye a few times. Seems like Success rate depends on rainfall after planting and how thin the alfalfa stand is. Last fall was not conducive but some came through. 4 years ago was a great catch and response and seems like alfalfa is actually thicker now which may be partly why this years rye was maybe choked out as well as drought stress We typically did 30#/acre timing variable, I’m leaning toward earlier is better depending on alfalfa stage
Sep 13 | 08:04 PM
We did a trail of this a couple years ago with rye in an old alfalfa stand. Seemed to work pretty well and wished I would have done the whole field. We didn't do anything special just went in and drilled it at a lower rate.
Sep 13 | 07:04 PM
Van, I have not done what you are wanting to do, but I do drill winter wheat as a cover crop late into the fall, one year was mid-December. I plant about a half rate or 50 to 60 lbs. If planted too early, it might compete for moisture with the alfalfa. If planted late it will come up in the spring with little competition. I am assuming it's for haying or grazing. Just a thought Jim
Mentor
Sep 12 | 03:56 AM
I guess I should have read better before posting. Are you planning on killing the alfalfa this fall? When killing alfalfa we usually follow with spring wheat. We try killing the alfalfa right around the first light frost to try and get the best kill on alfalfa and grasses. If you plan on killing the alfalfa the planting the winter cereal, in our area rye would be the most likely to survive. It would be getting pretty late for winter wheat but you are in a different climate so may have different results.
Mentor
Sep 12 | 03:44 AM
Interesting concept. I assume you are planning on haying the rye and alfalfa together next spring. Are you trying to increase tonage or looking to kill alfalfa. Your long term plan may change the pounds of rye you would want to plant. I certainly don’t have any experience but keep us posted what you do and how it works out.
Sep 12 | 01:13 AM