Hello spring!

The rain is making fieldwork difficult, but I've heard reports of crops being planted already. And if fields are being worked at all, it's time to monitor alfalfa. Here are our first measurements of the season (measured this past Sunday and Monday):

Alfalfa height is a reliable indicator of NDF values in the field, so we use alfalfa height to predict Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) for alfalfa, mixed alfalfa/grass, and pure grass stands. When using alfalfa and grass height as an indicator of NDF content, in general:

Begin cutting 100% grass stands when nearby alfalfa is 14" tall to achieve the desired 50% NDF.
Begin cutting 50/50 alfalfa/grass stands when nearby alfalfa is 22" tall for the desired 44% NDF.
Begin cutting 100% alfalfa stands when alfalfa is 28" tall for the desired 40% NDF.

To achieve the desired NDF it is necessary to begin cutting at NDF values slightly lower than the desired value assuming some harvest and storage losses (which the above alfalfa height values reflect). For example 28 inch tall alfalfa is closer to 38% NDF but you will need to start then to end up at 40% NDF.

Predicted days to cut are based on daily NDF increases for grasses (1%), 50/50 mixed stands of (0.8%), and alfalfa (0.5%). Typically, NDF increases about 0.8 to 1.2/day for grasses and 0.4 to 0.7/day in alfalfa, expecting the lower end of that range in cooler weather and the higher end in warm. See the following fact sheet for more details: Predicting Spring Fiber Content of Forages.

Always check your fields to verify your heights and conditions! Locations and heights AS OF APRIL 29, 2024:

It may seem early, but you may be ready to harvest pure grass hay soon if you're cutting for top quality. So keep an eye on your grass development and harvest before it heads out (along with its feed value).

Remember that these predicted harvest dates are not set in stone, and will fluctuate as we go along. And they may creep up on us - especially since the fields are getting a lot of moisture now, and the temperature is only going up!

If your location is not listed but you know the height of your alfalfa, this chart is for you:
Today's Date: 30 April 2024