The Rotational Benefits of Forages: Crop Yield and Quality

•Yields are often higher after forages particularly after nitrogen-fixing forages

•Grain quality also improves

1992 Forage Survey - 67% of farmers said they had ayield benefit in grains after forages

20 bu/acre yield benefit in year 1

58 bu/acbenefit over5 years….

Continuous wheat for 6 years, no N fertilizer

Third wheat crop with no N fertilizer after 6 years of alfalfa

Fourth wheat crop with no N fertilizer after 5 years of alfalfa

Long-term wheat yield following alfalfa similar to that of fertilized wheat in a fallow system.