Biology: The Foundation
to Results
Alfalfa is a perennial system that rewards investment in soil biology more than almost any other crop. Each cutting removes significant biomass and nutrient content from the field. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and a broad range of micronutrients leave with every ton of hay. Without active soil biology replacing what's removed, yield per cutting declines, stand density thins, and regrowth intervals lengthen over time.
The ISS Alfalfa Program addresses this replacement cycle at every cutting. Rather than relying solely on synthetic fertility to replenish what leaves the field, the ISS approach focuses on activating soil biology that makes existing nutrients more available, improves water and oxygen movement through the root zone, and accelerates the plant's recovery from cutting stress.
The Right Nutrients,
at the Right Time
At spring green-up, the primary goal is reactivating soil biology after winter dormancy and improving root-zone conditions for rapid early growth. SG Engage, a soil conditioner, opens compacted pore spaces, improves water infiltration, and creates the oxygen-rich environment that alfalfa roots and soil microbes both require. The SG Alfalfa Blend, a combination of micronutrients, sugars, and amino acids, fuels early-season growth when the plant is drawing heavily on root carbohydrate reserves before photosynthesis is fully online.
After each cutting, the alfalfa plant enters a recovery and regrowth phase driven by stored root carbohydrates and rapid nutrient uptake. Reapplying the SG Alfalfa Blend with SG 7-25-5 provides the phosphorus and carbon energy needed to accelerate crown regeneration, improve the leaf-to-stem ratio of subsequent cuttings, and maintain relative feed value (RFV) across the full cutting season. Producers who implement the ISS alfalfa program consistently report faster cutting intervals, higher leaf-to-stem ratios, and improved stand persistence over multiple growing seasons.
What the Program Delivers
Faster Regrowth
Post-cutting foliar applications replenish root energy reserves faster, compressing regrowth intervals between cuttings.
Higher Leaf Retention
Improved nutritional status and stress mitigation reduce leaf shatter during cutting and handling.
Winter Hardiness
Stronger root carbohydrate reserves built through the season improve stand survival through freeze-thaw cycles.
Improved Protein & RFV
Active soil biology and targeted foliar nutrition improve crude protein content and relative feed value per cutting.
"The biology goes in first, and the results shows up at harvest."
— ISS Agronomist
Program Phases & Products
Each phase layers onto the previous, building a complete biological and nutritional system from planting through the season.
Spring Green-Up
SG Engage
Soil conditioner that improves water infiltration and oxygen movement through the root zone. Breaks surface tension and compaction that restricts alfalfa root development after winter.
SG Alfalfa Blend
Comprehensive foliar blend of micronutrients, fermentable sugars, and amino acids formulated specifically for alfalfa's early-season nutritional demands. Fuels rapid growth when the plant is drawing on root reserves.
After Each Cutting
SG Alfalfa Blend
Reapplied after each cutting to replace micronutrients and energy removed with the harvested biomass. Accelerates crown recovery and drives faster, more uniform regrowth.
SG 7-25-5
Provides immediately available phosphorus and a balanced N-P-K base at a critical recovery window. Phosphorus drives rapid root regeneration and crown recovery after cutting stress.
SG Expand
Kelp biostimulant that enhances plant growth rate and stress recovery. Applied after cutting to accelerate the transition from recovery to active vegetative growth.
