The annual Marinette and Oconto County University of Wisconsin-Extension first-cut alfalfa quality monitoring project has begun for 2014. This project monitors alfalfa forage quality changes, allowing farms to make informed decisions about harvest timing.
First crop is usually the most important harvest of the year, and farms use quality data to make sure that they harvest at the appropriate forage quality for their operation. The only way to be sure about harvest timing is to monitor quality in fields by using the Predictive Estimated Alfalfa Quality (PEAQ) system or by following the results of the areawide monitoring project.
Scott Reuss, UW-Extension crops/soils agent, will gather data from numerous fields across the two-county area on Mondays and Thursdays. The first set of data was collected May 22 and indicated that most fields are seven to 14 days away from harvesting to achieve dairy-quality forage.
Producers can call the Scissors Clip Hotline 24 hours a day at 715-732-7518 or toll-free at 877-884-4408 to get the most current local information. Producers can also log on to the state site and look at data from all cooperators across the state, at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/scissorsclip/ or can email scott.reuss@ces.uwex.edu.
Normally, pure alfalfa fields will drop about four or five Relative Feed Value (RFV) points per day, but conditions are such in 2014 that forage quality drop will likely be accelerated. Most weed species, along with forage grass species, have lower RFV values than do alfalfa and clovers. Thus, fields with high weed or grass content need to be cut sooner than those which are pure legume stands.
Dairy-quality forage needs to be cut when in-field RFVis approximately 180, which will equate to about 160 RFV harvested haylage or hay. However, producers can maximize forage yield by waiting a week to cut, when the in-field RFV values are between 130 and 150, and still produce hay/haylage that is sufficient for their heifers, dry cows or beef herd.
If you have questions about forage quality or other agricultural or horticultural concerns, call Reuss at 715-732-7510 or leave a message at the hotline number.
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