Key points for growing alfalfa: site selection, sowing and field management

Alfalfa is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Medicago in the legume family, with a well-developed root system, tolerance to drought and cold, and strong adaptability. It has a high protein content and good palatability, and has long been known as the king of forage grasses; it is a high-quality feed commonly used for cattle, sheep, rabbits and other livestock and poultry.

For growing alfalfa, it is best to choose a plot with flat terrain, good drainage and deep soil; before sowing, plow deeply to prepare the land and apply base fertilizer to improve soil fertility. Sowing is mostly done in spring or autumn, mainly in rows; after sowing, press the soil appropriately and keep it moist, which helps ensure uniform emergence.

The focus of field management is weed control and regulation of water and fertilizer. Alfalfa grows slowly at the seedling stage and is easily suppressed by weeds, so timely cultivating and weeding are needed; during the growing period, irrigate appropriately according to soil moisture, and in the rainy season pay attention to drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot. After each cutting, apply fertilizer once to promote branching and regrowth and extend the useful life of the stand.

Common pests and diseases of alfalfa include aphids, thrips and brown spot, among others; once found, they should be controlled promptly, and disease-resistant varieties can also be selected in advance, with attention to crop rotation to reduce the disease pressure caused by continuous cropping.

Alfalfa can be used flexibly: it can be fed fresh, ensiled, sun-dried into hay or processed into grass meal. Feeding rabbits with alfalfa can supplement protein and vitamins, and mixing grass meal into feed for chickens also helps improve feed quality. One planting can be harvested for many years, making it an ideal forage grass for combining planting and livestock raising.