Alfalfa-Bermudagrass Budget
Considering integrating alfalfa into your bermudagrass system but aren’t sure if it will all add up? Check out this Extension budget tool developed by Chris Prevatt which estimates the costs of establishment, growing and grazing alfalfa-bermudgrass.
This Extension tool has been developed as part of a multi-state research and Extension project funded through the 2017 USDA-NIFA Alfalfa and Forage Research Program.
Follow this link to download the interactive budget excel file Alfalfa in Bermudagrass Budget
In your spreadsheet, where is the seed cost?
In the Alfalfa in the South Spreadsheet, the seed cost of Alfalfa is included in Table 1 (the first sheet in the spreadsheet) which is the establishment budget. Table 2 (the second sheet in the spreadsheet) looks at the total cost of growing and grazing Alfalfa in Bermudagrass after establishment. The total costs from Table 1 (the establishment of Alfalfa) are included in the growing and grazing budget (Table 2) under Estimated Fixed Costs are “Prorated Share of Alfalfa Establishment Cost”, this provides a better view of the total costs to feed cattle with Alfalfa interseeded into Bermudagrass as it incorporates the establishment costs over the useful life of the forage stand.