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Understand alfalfa winterkill

University of Wisconsin
May 27, 2026
1 hr ago

1 of 3

Dead brittle alfalfa stems surround a few stunted green shoots emerging from the base, showing severe winter injury.

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A wide field of brown dead alfalfa has only a small isolated patch of green plants surviving in the center.

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Dug-up alfalfa plants show brown rotting tissue inside roots and crowns, indicating severe internal winterkill damage.

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University of Wisconsin

Every year in the Midwest, the reality is clear -- alfalfa stands face the threat of winterkill. Winterkill occurs when alfalfa is unable to survive winter conditions – exceeding its cold tolerance threshold or breaking dormancy too early in the spring.

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The article was written by Luana Queiroz, Marta Moura Kohmann and Matthew Siebers.

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