Alfalfa Winter Kill & Injury: What to Check and How to Evaluate Your Stand
Winter can take a toll on alfalfa, and early spring is when the damage starts to show.
In this episode of the Renk Seeds of Innovation podcast, Max is joined by Alex Renk and Bob Wilms to talk through the difference between winter kill and winter injury; what causes each, and what growers should watch for as fields begin to green up.
They cover the role of snow cover, dormancy, ice sheeting, and heaving, along with how to evaluate root and crown health, assess shoot counts, and decide whether a stand is worth keeping, rotating, or managing another way.
The conversation also touches on alfalfa’s role in dairy systems, variety considerations, and the management decisions that can help protect stand longevity from one season to the next.
If you’re assessing alfalfa this spring, this episode offers a practical look at what to watch for and how to think through your next steps.
