1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 15, 2018

Kevin Ganoe, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

May 16, 2018

Here are numbers that are helpful when using alfalfa and grass height as an indicator of NDF content. In general :

Begin cutting 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 tables in the pdf, 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.

Alfalfa height increased considerably since last week averaging 15 inches tall compared to 9 inches on May 8. As of May 15 we are showing 70 percent of the fields if 100 percent grass should be cut. Of these at least four fields are likely at higher than desired NDF levels which would match with May 8 predictions of needing to begin harvest sometime last week or weekend.
Currently two locations are of sufficient alfalfa height that 50/50 mixed stands should be harvested and more will be approaching the desired NDF level before for our next monitoring date. With mixed stands err on the side of assuming more grass than less and harvesting earlier so that you achieve the desired NDF level. Also if you haven't checked your fields since last summer you may find they contain more grass than you expected. It may be time to park the corn planter or soon approaching that point if your fields contain considerable grass. Next report will be May 22.

5-15-2018 1st Cutting Forage Quality Summary (pdf; 534KB)

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