For the most part, spring seedings of alfalfa are made with a small grain companion crop that is either harvested as forage or grain and straw. Reduced weed competition when compared to no companion crop or herbicide. As forage, companion crop offers additional establishment year yield compared to alfalfa seeded alone.
Companion crop offers early season soil erosion control.
Companion crop offers the opportunity to harvest grain for feed and straw for bedding while at the same time establishing a stand of alfalfa. On slowly drained soils, the companion crop helps draw excess moisture from the upper soil profile thereby reducing the risk for alfalfa seedling diseases. All of the above advantages lend merit for establishing spring-seeded alfalfa with a companion crop. However, there are also good reasons for making spring alfalfa seedings without a companion crop. Where maximum forage quality is desired, the use of a herbicide is a necessity.