Alfalfa Report

In 1994, I planted two 20 acre tests in Utah, up about 7,000 feet. We applied EnviroMax™ (Formly know as SoilMaster Rx) on the test acres. One test plot was heavy clay and the other was sandy loam.

Normally, in Utah if there is no frost, a farmer can expect two cuttings at this altitude. Normally, a cutting is a 6 week cutting. EnviroMax gave us higher yields and created a savings on water in sandy loam.

We applied EnviroMax on June 3 at 1/2 gallon per acre. Our first cutting was July 3. Our second cutting could have been August 5, but due to rain we had to wait till August 12. I had a third crop, which I used for pasturing. Had I cut this crop, it would have been at 75% or 80% of the first two cuttings.

Normally we get 75 to 80 bales per acre. Our EnviroMax plots got 25% more yield.

On the sandy loam, we were able to stretch irrigation from 12 days to 15 days. I went 18 days once, and I had clumps instead of dry soil. There was still moisture in the ground.

The advantage I saw was that the alfalfa matured more quickly. We saw alfalfa growing to over 3 feet high. When you only have a 90 day growing season, this is a big advantage. Because in addition to the higher yield per acre, you also get one additional cutting.

Since 1994, we have used and been recommending EnviroMax to alfalfa growers. We generally see a 25% increase in yield, if the product is applied correctly. Here is my advice on that. The first time anyone uses EnviroMax, spray it on. Then irrigate immediately. This way you can be sure you get an even application of the product. I do not recommend putting the product in the ditches. If you flood between the burms, then it is hard to get an even distribution of the product across the flooded areas. If you do put it in the ditches, drip it in slowly and far enough upstream so there is enough mixing. When you run a pivot, drip the product into the system slowly, as it is heavier in molecular weight than the water. I recommend on a 12 hour watering, a 9 hour drip into the control box. The more evenly you apply the product, the better overall result you will see. Those farmers not spraying it on the first time still see a yield increase, but not as much as those who spray it the first time they use it.

My fields in Utah run from sandy loam to heavy clay, and everywhere I use the products I get better results than neighbors who do not use the product. I have been using it since 1994 on these fields.

The field in the foreground is mine and treated with EnviroMax in late spring. The field across the fence is on the neighboring ranch. The neighboring ranch was not treated but was much more heavily fertilized than my field.

(Note from ChemCraft: Center pivot irrigation banded with fertilizer is as effective as spraying.)