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High February temperatures have prompted many alfalfa fields across the state to initiate greening up over the past couple of weeks (Figure 1). However, temperatures then plummeted (9°F) earlier this week, likely resulting in the demise of the new growth. But the more pressing question is whether this has led to stand damage or crown injury. Furthermore, this winter has witnessed numerous warm and extremely cold days. As spring approaches, evaluating your alfalfa stand for winter injury and potential yields becomes crucial to inform rotation and interseeding decisions.

The 2021 cropping year will be remembered for a long time as an unusual year in many respects. Corn and soybean growth are off like a turtle race in many locations this season. So, we may be driving around, doing some road scouting, and asking ourselves why this is taking so long. After all, the markets are going up and we would feel better if we could evaluate our stands. 

While conditions were dry in most locations and we planted early, we also have had unusually cool conditions. Several things to consider as we worry about the crop: