SOIL IMPROVEMENT CROPS

ALFALFA

A digest of bulletins issued by the Extension Department, University of Saskatchewan College
of Agriculture, and the Manitoba Department of Agriculture.
For further information on this subject write to your nearest Agricultural College or
Experimental Farm. A list of these is given in Farm News Sheet No. 46.

ISSUED BY

EATON’S FARM NEWS SERVICE
WINNIPEG, CANADA

Alfalfa is one of the oldest, if not the oldest plant known, that has been cultivated
solely for forage. Its known history dates back as far as 490 B.C., when it was culti-
vated by the Persians.

THE VALUE AND USES OF ALFALFA

A Valuable Soil Improver—Alfalfa has a very beneficial effect on the soil. This is
due to its remarkable root development and its ability to give nitrogen to the soil. It
has a long, branching tap root, often extending several feet into the ground, which en-
ables it to withstand extremes of drouth and reach plant food that more shallow rooted
crops cannot reach. After the roots have decayed, the soil is rendered more porous, and
therefore more receptive to water and air.

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Alfalfa forms nodules on its roots
when certain bacteria are present in the
soil. These bacteria live in the nodules
and benefit the plant by furnishing it
with nitrogen which they take from the
air. When an alfalfa field is plowed up,
the roots, which are rich in nitrogen,
decay; thus both nitrogen and organic
matter is added to the soil.

Value as a Feed—Alfalfa, either green
or cured, is very palatable to stock and
is highly nutritious. Alfalfa hay con-
tains all the necessary food constituents
for keeping livestock in a thrifty condi-
tion throughout the Winter months.

As fodder for dairy cows, alfalfa hay
cannot be beaten, as it is rich in protein
and mineral matter, especially lime, both
of which are required in large amounts
for the production of milk. It has a
special value for young animals that are
expected to make rapid growth, protein
being an important flesh-forming food.
It is also an excellent Winter feed for
sheep, brood sows and young hogs.
Work horses also do well on alfalfa hay.
Care must be taken in changing over
from another food to alfalfa in seeing
that they do not over-eat.

Alfalfa is not only excellent as hay,
~~ but may be cut green as required and

Alfalfa—Lucerne (After Criddile) fed to dairy cows, sheep or hogs during

the Summer to supplement the pastures

when necessary. Poultry will also make good use of the range of an alfalfa field if they
are given the opportunity.

In Canada, alfalfa is not widely used as a pasture crop, probably because of its being
a perennial plant requiring at least two seasons’ growth before it will stand much grazing.
Once it becomes firmly established, however, it furnishes an abundance of excellent
grazing fodder.

One danger in using alfalfa as pasture is that it may cause bloating, especially in
cattle and sheep. It is necessary that the animals become gradually accustomed to
alfalfa pasture. When first turned in on it, they should only be allowed to graze for about
fifteen minutes and then turned out of the field. The grazing period may be lengthened
daily thereafter until the animals become so used to the feed that they will not likely
over-eat. The danger of bloating being caused is especially great on wet days or when
the plants are wet with dew.

It is not wise to pasture alfalfa late into the Fall, as that would leave the crowns of
the plants exposed, rendering them liable to Winter killing.

GROWING ALFALFA
Soil—Alfalfa will grow on many kinds of soil, from sand or sandy loams to heavy
clays, but it grows best in deep loams with porous subsoil, where the tap roots are not
hindered. Most prairie soils are quite suitable, being porous and well drained as a rule.
Alfalfa always succeeds best on soils that are rich in lime. Acid or sour soils are
detrimental, and such soils should be given a heavy application of lime before alfalfa is
sown on them,

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