Some thoughts on first-cut
hay harvest

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The smell of hay is in the air! Mother Nature finally decided to turn on the heat and the alfalfa growth curve is heading north. But at what point do we cut this year?

Alfalfa height is in the mid to high 20's (inches)------slightly ahead of last year but behind normal. It should also be noted that there is great variability from field to field (I've noted as much as 4 to 6 inches in height). Scissor cutting samples are still generally above 200 RFV, however, we're currently in a streak of great haymaking weather and many producers are looking at empty silos. Given this situation, it's hard to keep the mower-conditioners parked in the shed. What's the right thing to do?

Any alfalfa field that is going to be plowed down after first cut and planted to corn for silage needs to be cut right now. Forget about height and quality. The alfalfa is sucking moisture out of the ground and every day that the corn isn't planted means less yield.

As for the rest of the fields, I'd want to see about a 26 inch height and some visible buds before cutting (there are some fields currently at this stage of growh). Anything less than this, and you're giving up a lot of yield. Even so, I think we can add on another 0.25 to 0.50 tons/acre dry matter yield and still harvest dairy quality haylage by holding out a bit longer. This said, I also know that this strategy may backfire if the weather turns rainy.