The Right Time To Cut Alfalfa and Grass Fields – Ag Matters
It seems like the weather just permitted field work to start, but the first harvest of the season is nearing. When is the right time to get high quality alfalfa and grass cuttings? Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onedia County shares some tips.
A feeling of Deja Vu came over me when Jeff Miller shared this information, during our Farm Hands day at Gallagher Farms, Paul and I had a similar conversation about the importance of a hay fields first cut.
- The timing of your first hay harvest is critical because almost 50% of the hay you harvest off that field will be harvested in that first cut. We can set loose goals of trying to harvest grass fields in our fields that mature early around mid May and fields that are mostly alfalfa at those same early maturity locations by late May and fields that are later maturing at timings slightly later.
- One of the key characteristics of quality that indicates digestibility and can be assayed by laboratory analysis is the neutral detergent fiber levels (NDF). Research has determined the range of NDFs that provide the highest quality forage for grasses, mixed grass legume swards and clear alfalfa. The ideal range of NDF for grasses is 48-55. For clear alfalfa its 39-43.
- As an example from this research 100% grass fields should be harvested when a nearby alfalfa field is 15” tall and a 100% alfalfa field should be harvested when it is 32” tall with mixed swards fitting in between the two based on the percentage of grass in the stand.
CCE samples hay in 7 locations around Oneida and Madison counties every week and shares the information, so you can get an idea where your field's maturation stands. If you'd like to have the survey results emailed, contact Jeff Miller at 315-736-3394 ext 120.
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