The main positive impact of dormant-season tillage is to smooth the field. This may be important. Fields should be smooth to make traffic next summer safer, and smooth fields look better and are nicer to work in. It is probably a good cure for cabin fever and it costs less than going to Las Vegas or skiing. Just about everyone believes that grazing alfalfa hurts the stand.
Alfalfa stands like most other forage stands are thinned by overgrazing .
Excessively high stocking densities causes poor hay production and weed encroachment in all types of forage stands whether its alfalfa, bermudagrass, fescue, native range, or whatever. Cleans up fields, removing old alfalfa and weed growth so it will not contaminate first cutting. Helps control small weeds with the hoof action of cattle.