Alfalfa growth slowed by cold weather in Minnesota

A lack of sun and warmth is stunting alfalfa development in at least one Midwestern state.

University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Dave Nicolai says it’s been an abnormally cool spring.

“Really cold temperatures have really slowed that growth and availability.”

He encourages farmers to wait until alfalfa stems are two inches or taller with a rule of thumb that if stem counts are over 55 stems per square foot it’s a good stand.

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