Location: Dairy Forage Research
Project Number: 5090-21500-002-039-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 22, 2023
End Date: Sep 21, 2027
Objective:
Assess traffic resistance, forage yield, growth characteristics, and disease resistance of alfalfa established by intercropping with corn.
Approach:
Alfalfa-silage corn intercropping can enhance soil and nutrient conservation and potentially improve forage production, but wheel traffic during harvest operations can potentially reduce alfalfa plant survival and forage yield. Replicated field experiments initiated in May 2024 and 2025 at the University of Wisconsin, Arlington Research Station will continue to be harvested to evaluate the impact of varying levels of wheel traffic on forage yield and forage quality of alfalfa. A followup study will examine the traffic resistance, growth characteristics, and disease resistance of alfalfa specifically bred for use in the alfalfa-silage corn intercropping system .