Another problem for alfalfa facing high heat is that it matures faster than normal. When it's hot, alfalfa may begin to bloom in less than four weeks. If you use blooming as a signal to harvest, this early blooming can be misleading. During hot weather alfalfa plants need more time, not less time, to rebuild nutrient reserves in their roots. Under hot conditions, watch your calendar as well as your plants to determine when to cut.
You also might want to adjust the time of day when you cut hay. Some research has shown that cutting in late afternoon produces higher quality hay than cutting in the morning, but on good drying days it may be wiser to cut in the morning. When hay in the windrow stays above 50% moisture, plant cells continue to respire, burning away valuable nutrients. Hay cut late in the day respires all night long, losing yield and quality. On good drying days, plant cells can dry enough to be stabilized before nightfall, reducing respiration losses.
Producing high quality hay is always challenging, especially under high heat conditions. Use these guidelines to give yourself a headstart against potential problems.
Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist
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