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Little River, TX | Well you should not require nitrogen so the 11-52-0 might be the best bet if you can not get triple Super Phosphate, 0-45-0. At 135 lbs of 11-52-0 will just barely cover the phosphate removed in one year. That rate may not cover the crop needs plus the conversions to a calcium phosphate form.
Really the best time to fertilize an alfalfa stand is before planting.
In fact in most cases if you apply all the phosphate expected to be required during the life of the stand the total production will be higher. John Caddel in Oklahoma suggest putting half down prior to planting and the remainder half way through the stand's life. Still top dressing does work, just not as well. Next time consider deep banding you phosphate, prior to planting.
As much potash as alfalfa uses I am surprised no potash is being put out. Here the labs report VH levels of K while we see a positive response to potash. The next time you are pulling soil samples in that field also clip for a plant analysis. I like to sample at first bloom going into the second cutting. Clip the top 6" of the plants you sample.
Cruise around here. http://alfalfa.okstate.edu/ their information can apply to Kansas as well as for Texas.
Edited by Hay Wilson in TX 8/22/2007 19:55
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When to fertilize new alfalfa
