University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

April 28, 2006

Timing the first alfalfa cutting

The first alfalfa cutting often is the most important cutting of the year. It usually produces the most yield and its forage quality changes fastest from day to day. Many growers plan to cut soon after first blooms appear, but bad weather can cause long delays and sometimes alfalfa doesn't bloom very aggressively during spring. Plus, waiting until alfalfa begins to bloom often results in hay that is too low in quality for dairy use. So what about cutting before plants bloom - or even before they form buds? What are the risks? Being ready to cut healthy, vigorously growing alfalfa after it gets about 15 inches tall has several advantages:

  1. weather conditions may be better;
  2. you begin the harvest sequence early rather than waiting until all the alfalfa is ready;
  3. some insect and disease problems can be reduced; and most importantly,
  4. eed value can be very high.
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    Also, second cutting probably will be ready before summer heat lowers forage quality on it.

    True, yield will be lower from this early cut, although much of it will be made up in later harvests. Regrowth for second harvest probably will be a bit slower also than if alfalfa had been cut at a more advanced growth stage, especially if your alfalfa experienced winter injury this year. Be sure to allow a longer than normal recovery after either the first or the second cutting if you want to maintain long-term stands.

    Bruce Anderson
    Extension Forage Specialist


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    Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
    Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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