May 2, 2017 First Cutting Forage Quality Update
Kevin Ganoe, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops
May 3, 2017
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.
The 2017 haycrop is ahead of the 2016 first cutting. In 2016 on May 3 the alfalfa averaged 9 inches tall and 65 percent of the fields were 9 inches or less. For 2017 on May 2 the alfalfa averaged 13 inches tall and only 17 percent of the fields were 9 inches or less. As you can see in the tables at some locations grasses are be ready to cut. This is likely not the news anyone is looking for given the wet weather and general lack of field work. However it may help you plan the spring work better to start lining up the fields that still have the chance to make excellent quality forage. If there is a choice between planting corn or getting that first cutting in consider opting for the first cutting as warmer summer weather may catch corn up but you can't get that 1st cutting quality back and you may lose the advantage of sufficient soil moisture for a second.
Next report will be May 9.
5-2-2017 1st Cutting Forage Quality Summary (pdf; 218KB)
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