regenwether
Well-known member
The question was raised what Fall Dormancy rating is all about. In this part of the world there are a number of different ratings we look at before we purchase Alfalfa. I strive to get 5 yrs. of production.
When choosing alfalfa consider the DRI (disease rating index), WSI (winter-survival index 1-6) and the FD (fall dormancy 1-11). The DRI is a disease rating on each of the six main alfalfa diseases-the higher the rating, the more resistant the alfalfa. The WSI rates the alfalfa's on how they will survive wintering-the lower the rating the more winter-hardy they are. The FD rating is based on how soon the alfalfa goes dormant in the season. The lower the number, the earlier in the season the alfalfa will go into dormancy, thus protecting it from the cold climate winters. The higher the number, the later the alfalfa will grow in the season, thus giving warm climate areas long season stands.
In this part of the world I plant Alfalfa with a WSI= 2 and a FD=4
I have some acres I devote with a "plow-down mix". This is a oat-corn rotation. The alfalfa in this mix had a FD=9. Here I care about fall growth (fall grazing) and Nitrogen.
http://www.welterseed.com is where I purchase my seed. You can click on the Alfalfa's to get the different ratings.
When choosing alfalfa consider the DRI (disease rating index), WSI (winter-survival index 1-6) and the FD (fall dormancy 1-11). The DRI is a disease rating on each of the six main alfalfa diseases-the higher the rating, the more resistant the alfalfa. The WSI rates the alfalfa's on how they will survive wintering-the lower the rating the more winter-hardy they are. The FD rating is based on how soon the alfalfa goes dormant in the season. The lower the number, the earlier in the season the alfalfa will go into dormancy, thus protecting it from the cold climate winters. The higher the number, the later the alfalfa will grow in the season, thus giving warm climate areas long season stands.
In this part of the world I plant Alfalfa with a WSI= 2 and a FD=4
I have some acres I devote with a "plow-down mix". This is a oat-corn rotation. The alfalfa in this mix had a FD=9. Here I care about fall growth (fall grazing) and Nitrogen.
http://www.welterseed.com is where I purchase my seed. You can click on the Alfalfa's to get the different ratings.
