Over a three-year average, alfalfa returns a profit of $98.82/acre compared to a $44.77/acre return for corn and $39.68/acre for soybeans, Miller estimated using information from Midwestern farms compiled through the FINBIN database.

How much can you make off an acre of alfalfa?

The average total yield is 20-35 tons per hectare (or 8-14 tons per acre) per year (distributed in 5-6 cuts). Top yields (intensive farming) can exceed 40 tons per hectare or 16 tons per acre per year. You can enrich this article by leaving a comment or photo of your alfalfa harvesting methods and yields.

How much is a ton of alfalfa worth?

The start of 2020 saw the average U.S. price for alfalfa drop $4 per ton from December. The latest USDA Agricultural Prices report pegged alfalfa at $171 per ton, which was $8 per ton lower than one year ago.

Is alfalfa more profitable than corn?

As you can see below, using USDA & extension averages along with current market data, alfalfa may be up to $100 more profitable per acre than corn and even more so when compared to soybeans. Enter your own yield and related expenses to help determine your profitability.

How much does it cost to fertilize an acre of alfalfa?

However, alfalfa has high potassium fertilizer and harvesting costs (generally about $50 per acre per cutting for mowing, raking, and baling). The next step is to consider yield and value of the crop.

How much does alfalfa hay sell for?

At Conway Feed, alfalfa hay is available for $10-13.50 and Bermuda grass hay for $15. From the hay market, square bales, on average, will cost you between $3 and $10 per bale, but some farmers prefer selling their hay per pound, in which case such a bale will be around 50 pounds.

What month do you plant alfalfa?

If you have land available for alfalfa in late summer, optimal seeding dates are July 15 through August in the Upper Midwest; closer to July 15 for northernmost regions. For growers in warmer climates, seeding into early September is acceptable.

How much does it cost to grow hay?

This cost would range between $55 and $85 per acre, assuming establishment costs between $200 and $300 per acre, a four-year stand life and an interest rate of 6%.

How much does a bag of alfalfa seed cost?

Alfalfa seed of modern varieties can cost over $4.00 per pound, while older varieties can be purchased for $2.00 per pound or less.

How long does alfalfa last?

If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.

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How many bales of hay do you get per acre?

With an average bale weight of around 40 pounds (with our Abbriata small square baler or any of our mini round balers), that’s 100 bales to the acre for a first cutting. Our farm aside, we can offer some guidelines to consider when trying to predict the productivity of your hay fields.

What is the cost of hay per ton?

Hay QualityBale TypeMaximum Price per TonGrade 1Large Square$275Large Round$210Grade 2Large Square$180Large Round$155

How much would it cost to plant 10 acres of alfalfa?

Alfalfa has to be planted at around 25 pounds per acre if I remember correctly. A 50 pound bag of seed is around $200 last I heard a few years back, so $100 an acre just for seed. Probably $120-150 per acre including tillage costs.

Do you need to fertilize alfalfa every year?

Nitrogen fertilizer is rarely needed for a healthy alfalfa field. Alfalfa is a legume crop that can “fix” its own nitrogen requirements. … A five-ton/ac alfalfa crop can fix up to 250 lb/ac of ammonium nitrogen per year. Alfalfa’s ability to fix nitrogen often declines after a stand about five years old.

How often do you replant alfalfa?

Recommended intervals of six or twelve months were most frequently reported, but the range was two weeks to 24 months. Many respondents commented that their most common recommendation was to reseed alfalfa after rotation with a non-legume crop grown for one or more seasons.

How long does it take alfalfa to emerge?

Alfalfa seed germinates best at soil temperatures between 65-85°F. If soil temperature is 40°F, it takes alfalfa six days to germinate, but only two days at 65°F.

What animals eat alfalfa?

Deer, elk, antelope, gophers, mice, and rabbits eat the alfalfa. In turn, hawks, eagles, migratory birds, and other predatory mammals such as coyotes and cougars hunt for birds and rodents that inhabit alfalfa fields. Ultimately, scavengers such as coyotes and vultures eat the dead animals and complete the food chain.

How many acres will a bag of alfalfa plant?

Seeding rate. For pure alfalfa stands, 18 to 20 pounds per acre should be planted. For mixed stands with grass, 15 to 16 pounds per acre is recommended. For broadcast seeding, seeding rates need to be increased by 10 to 20 percent.

How much does it cost to reseed 1 acre?

Grass Seeding MethodCost per Acre (Labor Included)Aeration and Overseeding$680 – $1,050Hydroseeding$2,000 – $4,000Slice Seeding$3,920 – $7,840

Is selling hay profitable?

“If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre. “The potential is there to make some pretty good money on hay.” Brown says producers could decide to grow higher-quality hay and sell into the dairy or specialty hay markets.

How many acres do you need to grow hay?

You don’t need hundreds of acres to start out. In fact, with today’s equipment designed for small, hobby farms, you can grow and harvest on less than 10 acres. But, depending on your growing season, you’ll likely have to charge more per bale than a competitor farming 10 times that size.

What are the most profitable crops?

• Sorghum. …
• Saffron. …
• Cherry Tomatoes. …
• Goji Berries. …
• Hostas. …
• Arborvitae. …
• Shiitake Mushrooms. Shiitakes and other gourmet mushrooms are very popular in a variety of dishes, particularly at trendy restaurants and specialty food stores. …
• Bonsai Plants. Bonsai trees are usually sold as small, potted plants.

How tall should alfalfa be when you cut it?

2-inch height for all cuts during the season, 2-inch height for the 1st cut, 3-inch height for the 2nd and 3rd cuts, 3-inch height for all cuts during the season, 6-inch height for all cuts during the season.

What is the best way to grow alfalfa?

When growing alfalfa, choose an area with plenty of full sun. Also look for a well-draining area with a soil pH level between 6.8 and 7.5. Prior to planting you should clean the area, work the soil, and remove any debris. Pure alfalfa seed can be purchased from most feed supply stores.

What's the best fertilizer for alfalfa?

PURDUE EXTENSION Fertilizing alfalfa with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) can increase yield and stand longevity. However, to maximize production and profitability, it is important to adjust fertilizer rates to meet the specific nutritional needs of plants in each field.

How much hay will 100 acres produce?

At 65lbs per bale (which can vary significantly, but whatever), that’s about 77 bales. So for 100 acres that’s about 7700 bales or about 250 tons of dry hay.

How much hay can 15 acres produce?

Probably average 3000 (+/-) 40 pound bales, so 60 tons more or less! That would be a total for all cuttings taken.

How many times a year can you bale hay?

In most areas of the country, grass hay can be cut twice, sometimes three times, per year. The first cutting generally has the largest yield.

What do farmers do with hay bales?

Most farmers do ultimately pick up their hay and put it in the barn for storage. However, there are some situations in which the bale never gets picked up – and the old hay needs to be used for something besides feeding animals. Old, moldy hay can be used in several ways.

Should I fertilize alfalfa?

On established alfalfa stands, nitrogen fertilization is not required because Rhizobium meliloti bacteria convert nitrogen gas from the air into a plant-usable form of nitrogen. To ensure establishment of these bacteria in the alfalfa roots, alfalfa seed needs to be inoculated with the bacteria prior to planting.