Alfalfa Spring Growth

Spring 2024 has proven to be slow to come. In the past two weeks, though, remarkable progress has been made on planting. In addition, Alfalfa fields that were doing very little at the beginning of the month have taken off in growth. Using a PEAQ stick that estimates Relative Forage Quality, a few observations from around the region include:

Baldwin Area: 235 RFQ on 5/9/2024, 208 RFQ on 5/14/2024

Ellsworkth Area: 230 RFQ on 5/9/2024, 213.5 RFQ on 5/14/2024

Connersville Area: 255 RFQ on 5/10/2024, 232.5 RFQ on 5/15/2024

We recommend the following four steps when using scissors clip data to plan harvest schedules:

Match forage quality goals to animal needs (lactating dairy cow, replacement heifers, beef
Make adjustments for field losses. Under the best of conditions 15% (points) of the dry matter will be lost during harvesting. Therefore it is necessary to cut a field at 165 to 170 RFV to end up with harvested forage of 150 RFV
Make adjustment for total harvesting time. For planning purposes we can use the average first cutting forage quality rate of change of 3 to 4 RFV per day.

Make adjustments for local field conditions. This means considering the amount of grass in the stand, alfalfa variety, north vs. south slopes in a field, and soil moisture conditions.

Determining the value of standing alfalfa in 2024

Alfalfa is known as the “Queen of Forages” given its importance to the Wisconsin dairy and livestock industry. Wisconsin harvests more than one million acres of alfalfa annually. While some of these transactions include weighing every load harvested to ensure fairness to both the buyer and the seller, there are many acres and individual cuttings where both parties agree to a fixed price per acre instead. As a result, they are relying on an estimated value per acre for the individual cutting or stand for the entire growing season. If we are going to purchase alfalfa without weighing it, we want to identify the steps that are needed to arrive at an estimated value that is fair to all parties involved. Determining the Value of Standing Alfalfa in 2024 provides an in- depth assessment of how to estimate the expected dry matter (DM) yield, calculate the value of a ton of DM, and estimate the costs associated with harvesting the crop.

Pricing Standing Alfalfa

Looking for more Alfalfa Production Information?

The Extension Crops and Soils program has updated several articles and short videos on alfalfa production topics, that can be found below.

Alfalfa Production Topics

Watch:

Focus on Alfalfa

The second Focus on Forage webinar in the 2024 series, Focus on Alfalfa, aims to provide Wisconsin farms and agricultural professionals with current research-based recommendations regarding alfalfa planting and management strategies for the 2024 season.

More Info Here

When can I start grazing?

Each year, in May when the dandelions start showing their faces, the most common topic of discussion in the grazing and livestock world is “When can I start grazing?” While those lush, green pastures look awfully inviting after months of feeding hay, farmers must pause and make a wise, informed decision regarding when to start grazing because starting too soon can result in a dramatic shortening of a month or more at the end of the grazing season. This is a case where patience is definitely a virtue, as deciding the exact day to celebrate “spring turnout” often requires waiting just a bit longer than desired. How then, can we confidently answer the question: When can I start grazing?

Full Article Here

All Things Crops and Soils

Visit the Crops and Soils website for the University of Wisconsin Division of Extension for the latest news and articles related to Crops and Soils.