NORTHERN "AG" EXPOSURE

by Mark Miller
Rolette County Extension Agent

Published Turtle Mountain Star, Sept. 14, 2001

Should I Harvest My Alfalfa Yet This Fall?

Several items should be considered when trying to decide whether to harvest alfalfa for hay during September or October says Dwain Meyer, forage agronomist at North Dakota State University. "First, consider your need for additional hay. Most producers utilize the hay for their own feed. Hay yields have generally been very good the last three years so supplies are generally abundant. If you have adequate hay reserves, do not harvest for hay but consider grazing the growth after the plant has dried following a killing frost," Meyer says.

As an alternative, producers may want to consider taking a fall harvest to add cash flow to the operation. A strong cash market for alfalfa hay existed in Montana last year, and it appears to be continuing in 2001.

Second, he says, consider your plans for the alfalfa stand. If you want to maintain stands for five to seven years, a fall harvest should not be contemplated because winter injury or kill in the early years of the stand, in some cases, will reduce the productivity of the stand in the later years. Meyer recommends maintaining stands for only three to four years due to declining productivity. "If stands are maintained for three to four years, then I would recommend a fall harvest at 40 to 50 percent bloom."

Any fall harvest increases the risk of winter injury or kill. However, the additional risk can be justified, says Meyer. In eastern North Dakota this year, many alfalfa fields will produce 1 to 1.5 tons per acre in the fall harvest. Today, high-quality alfalfa hay is selling for approximately $60 to $65 per ton in North Dakota and over $100 per ton in Minnesota. The additional harvest generates enough income to pay the expenses of re-establishing the stand even if it is totally winter killed. A fall harvest causes little to no winter injury to a young stand in 75 percent or more years.

The NDSU forage project has harvested alfalfa under a three-cut system with the third harvest taken before August 20-25 at Fargo and Carrington (irrigated) or under a four-cut system with the fourth taken during the fall over the last 12 years. Forage yields have basically been equal between the systems, but the quality of hay is superior under the four-cut system partially due to the lack of overwintering residue in the first harvest, Meyer says.

Last winter was the first time in the last 12 years at Fargo that winter kill was extensive on the four-cut system and little injury occurred on the three-cut system in a 3-year-old stand. Even in this winter kill year, the 1-year-old stand had no detectable winter injury, and the 2-year-old stand had only moderate winter injury and will produce in excess of six tons per acre this year. Winter kill has been more extensive under irrigation at Carrington.

Twice in the 12-year period nearly 100 percent winter kill occurred on both cutting systems, but rarely has differences among the cutting systems been seen. Other factors to consider if contemplating a fall harvest according to Meyer are:

1.A variety considered persistent (overwinters well) should be used.

2.A 1-foot uncut strip every 20 feet should be left to help provide snow cover.

3.Fertilization practices should be optimum.

4.be sure the maturity reaches 40 to 50 percent bloom or a killing frost occurs before harvest.

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Updated September 5, 2001 Shelley Armstrong ,Webmaster