5-17-2016 First Cutting Forage Quality Summary
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May 19, 2016
Here are numbers that are helpful when using alfalfa and grass height as an indicator of NDF content:
In general we say 100% grass stands should be cut when nearby alfalfa is 14 inches tall to achieve the desired 50% NDF.Begin cutting 50/50 mixed alfalfa and grass stands when nearby alfalfa is 22 inches tall for the desired 44% NDF.
Begin cutting 100% alfalfa stands when alfalfa is 28 inches tall for the desired 40% NDF.
The desired NDF for all grass fields is 50%, 50/50 mixed alfalfa and grass fields is 44%, and pure alfalfa stands is 40%. Predicted days to cut are based on daily NDF increases for grasses of 1% point, 50/50 mixed stands of .8% points and alfalfa of .5% point. Typically NDF increases about 0.8 to 1.2/day for grasses expecting the lower end of that range in cooler weather and the higher end in warm. Alfalfa NDF increases about 0.4 to 0.7/day again figuring the lower end of that range with cool temperatures and the higher in warm. Predictions are adjusted for the coming week's weather and right now we are assuming normal growth.
In the attached tables locations around the region are listed where we have measured alfalfa height. You can use the location and elevation as a guide to conditions that may be similar to your own.
Maturity is progressing but not very fast and definitely behind last year. In 2015 the average alfalfa height for May 19 was 24 inches and this year for May 17 the average alfalfa height is 16 inches. Temps for the next week don't look to be high so we would expect average growth.
Given alfalfa heights and average temperatures we would expect most all grass fields should begin to be cut by Saturday May 20 and many 50/50 mix fields could be cut in the next week. As always these are guidelines to get you looking at your fields.
As always, use information in the attached table as a guide to know when to harvest by checking your fields. Next summary will be out Tuesday, May 24, 2016.
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