There is considerable debate about the value of applying calcium to Wisconsin soils used for forage production. Calcium is the dominant exchangeable cation in Wisconsin soils because it is held more tightly by the soil particles than most other cations including magnesium and potassium.

The potassium (K) content of harvested forage has become an increasingly important issue in recent years.  As most dairy producers already know, a high level of K in forages has been identified as the causative factor for milk fever in dry and transition cow diets.

Seeding perennial forage species such as alfalfa during the late summer in Wisconsin can result in vigorous and productive stands when proper establishment practices are followed. Late summer alfalfa seeding does not replace traditional spring-seeding recommendations, but rather provides growers with an establishment alternative when crop rotation allows.