The recent cold temperatures may have caused frost or freeze damage in newly seeded or interseeded alfalfa stands. Pioneer Field Agronomist Curt Hoffbeck says many farmers that replanted low lying areas where the stand was damaged or lost over the winter have questions about how susceptible those new plants are to the cold.

He says if temperatures dropped below freezing farmers should scout their alfalfa fields and assess the stands for damage to determine if replant is necessary.

Hoffbeck says an early cutting is especially necessary where alfalfa is a foot or taller as it will help the stand recover faster. He says there are quite a few acres of alfalfa in the region that will be impacted by this cold snap.

Hoffbeck says frost or freeze damage will show up within the first 24 hours as wilting of the plants and after three to five days plants as yellow to brown discoloration.