When compared to corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, and wheat: alfalfa is the hands down winner with regard to preventing soil erosion. Alfalfa fields remain wholly undisturbed by tillage during their rotation. Therefore, earthworm populations thrive. This leads to corresponding improvements in soil structure. Alfalfa's deep roots prevent soil loss and also help prevent nitrate losses. Evidence indicates that after four years of alfalfa, soil quality is retained in subsequent crop years. The result of this is that subsequent crops will experience greater yield potential with less added fertilizer than in a rotation without alfalfa.

Alfalfa reduces certain weed, insect, and disease populations. As a result established stands of alfalfa require less herbicide and pesticide application. This benefit also carries over to crops following alfalfa in the rotation.

By requiring less chemicals to produce a healthy crop and allowing for less chemical usage on subsequent crops alfalfa plays an important roll in pollution control. Research shows, helpful agricultural chemicals are less likely to become harmful pollutants in our rivers and streams if they are never placed onto our fields.

Alfalfa's positive impacts on soil and water quality are particularly important features as Minnesota farmers strive to minimize environmental impact while engaging in economically profitable farming practices.

The Profit Advantage

The best-kept secret about alfalfa is the profit it has generated for years. Agricultural Economists at the University of Minnesota Department of Applied Economics, used decades of southwest Minnesota field data and years of market prices to compare the economics of corn-soybean rotations with rotations that include alfalfa.

Economically, returns on alfalfa in southwest Minnesota have surpassed corn and soybeans for the past 25 years. Alfalfa sustains yields under poor growing conditions, such as drought, better than other crops.

Alfalfa's positive impacts on soil and water quality are particularly important features as Minnesota farmers strive to minimize environmental impact while engaging in economically profitable farming practices.