Organic Alfalfa Management Guide WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION • EB2039E Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 The Role of Alfalfa in Organic Transition ............................................................................ 1 Preserving Your Certification ............................................................................................. 2 Establishment ................................................................................................................... 2 Nutrient Management ...................................................................................................... 6 Weeds .............................................................................................................................. 8 Pest Management ........................................................................................................... 10 Terminating Alfalfa Stands .............................................................................................. 12 Economics ...................................................................................................................... 12 References ...................................................................................................................... 14 Online Resources ............................................................................................................ 15 Evaluation Form .............................................................................................................. 17 On the cover (left to right): Wayne Platt, Jr. (consultant) and Eric Nelson (grower) of Pendleton, Oregon, discuss organic alfalfa pest issues. (Photo by E. Patrick Fuerst) Organic Alfalfa Management Guide E. Patrick Fuerst, Richard T. Koenig, John Kugler, Kathleen Painter, Mark Stannard, Jessica Goldberger Introduction Not only is organic alfalfa in high demand by the organic livestock industry, but alfalfa also This bulletin is a companion to another serves as a critical transitional and soil-building Washington State University (WSU) extension crop. Alfalfa also contributes positively to soil bulletin, “Crop Profile for Alfalfa in Washington” structure, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. (1), which covers practices for conventional In dryland environments, alfalfa’s deep root irrigated alfalfa production, many of which are system enables it to compete effectively against similar to organic practices, including irrigation annual and perennial weeds for water and management, harvesting, storage, quality, nutrients. Its large roots can penetrate plow pans and details on insect, disease, nematode, and and utilize stored soil moisture. A vigorous and vertebrate pests. We also recommend “Alfalfa’s dense stand of alfalfa will shade the underlying Potential in Dryland Crop Production,” a WSU soil and limit weed seed germination and growth. publication on conventional dryland alfalfa Haying prevents many weeds from going to seed, production (2). Additional resources related which helps deplete the weed seed bank in the to organic alfalfa production are provided at soil and reduce future weed problems. Rhizobium- the end of this report and at the WSU Organic inoculated alfalfa converts atmospheric nitrogen Agriculture web site (http://csanr.wsu.edu/ (N) into forms that can be used by subsequent Organic/). We request your feedback on this crops. Decomposition of the alfalfa root system bulletin. Please complete the evaluation form typically contributes about 100 lb/acre N to the provided on the last page. soil after one year, and an additional 50 lb/acre N in the second and third years. Significantly This bulletin has been developed in response less N is added in alfalfa-grass mixtures than in to requests from Washington organic dairy pure alfalfa. Alfalfa will also draw down excess producers who face shortages of certified feed phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in soils where for their herds, and to supplement the limited high rates of manure have been applied in the information available on organic production past for production of crops with high N demands practices for alfalfa and other agronomic crops such as vegetables and cereals. in the Pacific Northwest. Washington produced 4500 acres of certified organic alfalfa in 2008, a 60% increase from the previous year, yet clearly The Role of Alfalfa in Organic has the potential to produce much more. Transition Several aspects of organic alfalfa production differ Alfalfa is one of the best options for making from conventional production. It is critical to the three-year transition to certified organic follow rules established by the USDA National production. WSU organic transition research Organic Program (NOP) (see Resources section), conducted near Pullman showed that alfalfa was as discussed further below. Pests, weeds, and equal to or better than many other transition fertility must be monitored more intensively in cropping systems in terms of weed control, an organic production system and timing of most soil fertility, organic wheat yield following operations—including planting, cutting, and alfalfa, and overall economics. We recommend fertilizing—is especially crucial to help manage obtaining “transitional certification” in order weeds and pests. It is essential to be proactive and to assure that agronomic practices and record- develop plans for managing weeds, pests, and keeping are in compliance and to facilitate the fertility before planting any organic crop. final organic certification. There are special 1 considerations prior to establishing a stand be cleaned and free of fertilizers, insecticides, for organic transition. Avoid fields that have or fungicides that that can be carried over on recently been planted to transgenic crops (also seed or in hoppers. Cleaning procedures must called genetically engineered [GE] or genetically be documented. Conventionally produced, modified organisms [GMO]) since volunteers untreated seed can be used if organic seed is may cause additional delays in certification. commercially unavailable (see details, below), but When planting alfalfa for transition, this is the documentation to track the search for organic last opportunity to apply fertilizers, herbicides, seed is required. Check approved and prohibited and other prohibited substances that are not materials lists for approved inoculants and allowed during or after the transition to certified ingredients. Balers must be free of conventional organic production. Before establishing the hay, and any bales containing conventional alfalfa, it is possible to apply enough P for the hay must be separated from the organic stack. life of the stand because P is effectively stored Organic and conventional bales must be stored in the soil (see Nutrient Management section). in separate facilities. Manure, composts, and When beginning the transition, fungicide- other soil amendments must be managed to treated seed can be planted and herbicides can maintain or improve soil organic matter and must be applied; however, the three-year transition not contaminate crops or water. Composting period for organic certification begins after techniques must meet the requirements the last application of a prohibited material. If described in the NOP rules. Check with your weeds are a serious problem in the first growing certifying agent or other resources to determine season, consider using an herbicide and delaying time limitations between manure applications certification to ensure long-term control of weeds. and crop harvest. Furthermore, soil or plant micronutrient testing is required to document Preserving Your Certification deficiencies before allowed micronutrients can be applied. Biosolids from sewage treatment are When planting organic alfalfa, make absolutely prohibited. sure that both the seed and the inoculant are not transgenic; this would void organic certification Establishment for the life of the stand. Growers who are just beginning organic production, and growers Variety Selection and Seed Quality who produce both organic and conventional crops, must be diligent in following the rules of Numerous, non-transgenic (non-GMO) alfalfa organic production. Mistakes could be costly and varieties are available. Most alfalfa varieties lead to loss of certification for up to three years, are developed for irrigated or higher rainfall depending on the severity of the infringement. hay production but many of these varieties Make sure you thoroughly understand the NOP perform suitably on dryland sites. Alfalfa rules and talk with your certifier and other varieties developed for dryland production, experts if you have any question whether certain such as ‘Shaw,’ ‘Ladak,’ ‘Vernal,’ and ‘Wrangler’ practices would infringe upon the rules. Consult are very hardy plants with excellent drought lists of approved and prohibited substances tolerance but tend to yield less in irrigated sites. published by the Washington State Department We strongly recommend that growers consider of Agriculture (WSDA), Organic Materials Review alternatives to older varieties to gain the benefits Institute (OMRI), and the NOP. The National of pest resistance and other traits. Consult the Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) irrigated Alfalfa Variety Trials conducted by WSU and ATTRA (National Sustainable Agriculture and sanctioned by the Washington State Hay Information Service) also have published helpful