The first Focus on Forage webinar in the 2025 series, Focus on Alfalfa Companions, features research-based alfalfa establishment resources and new management strategies to keep stands productive over time.
Presenters are Josh Kamps, UW–Madison Divison of Extension regional crops educator; Dr. Marta Kohmann, UW–Madison Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences assistant professor and extension specialist; and Dr. Shelby Gruss, Iowa State University assistant professor and extension forage specialist.
Expand each section below for recordings of and resources related to each talk. To find more information about the Focus on Forage webinar series, visit the Focus on Forage website.
Planting Alfalfa Green Into Cereal Rye
Presented by: Josh Kamps, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Featured in this talk is Josh Kamps, regional crops educator at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension. Some of the most sensitive soils on Wisconsin farms are newly seeded fields of alfalfa. Traditionally, farmers use multiple tillage passes ahead of planting followed by a cultipacker or land roller pass to reduce surface residue and leave an ultra-smooth field surface. These field conditions make soils vulnerable to raindrop impact, reduce water infiltration of the soil profile, and increase the risk of soil, seed, and nutrients leaving the field. Field research and demonstration trials in Wisconsin that planted alfalfa green are showing promise for this alfalfa establishment practice. Viewers will understand the steps to successfully establish a stand of alfalfa by planting it green into cereal rye.
Rethinking Alfalfa Nutrient Credits
Presented by: Dr. Marta Kohmann, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Featured in this talk is Dr. Marta Kohmann, an assistant professor and forage extension specialist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Dr. Kohmann explores new ideas in alfalfa nutrient crediting, particularly in grain systems. Her presentation centers around the determination of alfalfa nutrient credits, rethinking historic research, and taking advantage of the nitrogen benefits of alfalfa. She begins with understanding the role of alfalfa in the nutrient cycle and nitrogen fixation within cropping systems, then evaluates how nitrogen crediting information has historically been determined. Dr. Kohmann then looks at research to weigh the benefits and challenges of typical alfalfa rotations.
Establishing Alfalfa With a Summer Annual Nurse Crop
Presented by: Dr. Shelby Gruss, Iowa State University
Featured in this talk is Dr. Shelby Gruss, an assistant professor and forage extension specialist at Iowa State University. Dr. Gruss explores establishing alfalfa with a summer nurse crop. Her project explores the use of sorghum-sudangrass and sudangrass as nurse crops for alfalfa establishment, comparing two planting strategies: simultaneous spring/summer planting versus sequential planting, where alfalfa is planted between rows of the nurse crop after its first harvest. She presents first-year results, including biomass yield and stand establishment data, and discuss plans for continuing this work to optimize alfalfa establishment and forage productivity.
