They are used as wind breaks until opened to make beds for cows when low temperatures are expected. It is fed free choice several times per day. High producing groups get prime alfalfa, low groups receive the first cutting. Alfalfa is supplemented with barley and soybean meal. Alfalfa Alfalfa is grown under irrigation on about 1.1 million Idaho acres.
Nutrient testing is done routinely.
In fall 1996, there is a shortage of alfalfa in southeast Idaho since spring rains delayed harvest of the first crop which reduced the yield of later crops. The demand for alfalfa is growing in Florida. There is a range of 75 to 115 tons per car depending on car size, bale size and bale density. Three plants now shred and compact alfalfa for transport. The modems connected to the DART computer are restricted to 19,200 bps by the current mainframe hardware.