844-tancaster Farming, Saturday, June 1, 1991 ALFALFA HARVEST STRATEGIES Dr. Marvin H. Hall Forage Extension Specialist Penn State University The main considerations in developing an alfalfa harvest strategy have traditionally been yield, persistence, and quality, in that order. The relative importance of these considerations are chang ing as varieties and producer’s needs are changing. Yield and persistence were once the primary concerns of producers and cutting at full flower was a common practice. However, with the release of multi-disease resistant varieties which have a broad range in dormancy levels, producers now have considerable flexibility in choosing a harvest management strategy to meet their needs. In the past, forage quality was difficult to accurately and rapidly determine. Therefore, high quality forage did not receive a premium WALTER &JACKSON, INC Dairy Industry RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • AGRICULTURAL Lumber Pole Borns Insulation Stanley Doors Glen Gery Brick Treated Yellow Pine Aristokraft Kitchens s Aluminum & Vinyl Siding is Weothershield s WALTER &JACKSON, INC All Locations Open Mon.-Fri. 6:30; Fri. 6:30-12:00 HINKLETOWN (Farmersville Rd.) 717-354-4911 CHRISTIANA (E. Gay St.) 215-593-5195 or 215-857-2613 QUARRYVILLE (18 N. Hess St.) 717-786-2171 and its production went virtually unrewarded. With the development of accu rate and rapid methods of deter mining forage quality and the realization that greater forage quality results in greater animal performance, it is becoming a major criterion in the development of alfalfa harvest management strategies. Stand yield and persistence are still of concern, but of lesser importance. Many alfalfa produc ers currently plan on maintaining an alfalfa stand for only 3-4 years. With these changes in mind, it is important to understand some bas ic principles of alfalfa develop ment in order to better develop a harvest strategy. Alfalfa Developmental Relationships 1. Forage yield increases as the plant matures until full flower (Table 1). However, leaf loss from the lower stems reduces the rate of yield increase after first flower. Increases in alfalfa yield beyond (Turn to Page 845) Salutes the / Miliwork s Trusses Owens Corning Roofing Design and Plan Services Andersen A Marvin Windows Paneling & Ceiling Material Wheeling Channel Drain Cedar Siding Metered Concrete Celebrate June Dairy Month all year-round by using real dairy products. Sponsored by dairy farmers in your area, and: • American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. • Mid-East United Dairy Industry Association/ F.O. 36 Advertising and Promotion Agency • Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program Working together to increase sales for Pennsylvania dairy fanners We Salute the Dairy Pro ducer during JUNE DAIRY MONTH and all year long. Ask your representative about our Total Performance Special. Lead ing TPI sires are discounted for both retail and technician customers. Check into it today! PENNSYLVANIA Northcentral Jake Myer - Phone: 717-523-3090 Northeastern Don Hibbard - Phone: 717-836-3168 Southcentral Ed Gulnac - Phone: 814-847-2520 JUNE IS DAIRY MONTH GetMOOOvin’ witho Dairy Foods Southeastern PA & NJ Eldon Ford - Phone: 717-933-5961 Western Russ Jacques - Phone: 814-425-2562 MARYLAND Ted Ridgely - Phone: 301-898-9101
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