(Continued from Page 844) first flower, therefore, are attri buted mainly to increases in lower quality stem material. 2. Alfalfa forage quality is greatest when alfalfa is immature and still vegetative. With increas- Seeding Year ing maturity, the nutrient concent- Harvest of alfalfa which is ration of alfalfa declines rapidly spring seeded without a compan (Table 1). This decrease in quality ion crop should not be delayed in is associated with increases in lig- an attempt to improve persistence, nin and other nondigestible fibrous Young alfalfa stands (seeding constituents in the stem and a year) are capable of persisting decrease in leaf proportion. under more severe harvest man 3. Stored carbohydrates in the agement practices than older alfal root decrease during the initiation fa stands. of regrowth, then accumulate until Cutting of alfalfa 40 days after plants are at full flower (Table 1). seeding does not lower stand per- Carbohydrate reserves in the root sistence compared to cutting 80 provide energy for regrowth in the days after seeding. Timing of the spring and after harvest. Highest first harvest after seeding, howev- Table 1. Effect of alfalfa maturity on yield, quality, and root carbohydrate levels. Crude Acid detergent Root Yield protein fiber carbohydrate Tons/acre - % 2.2 21 30 28 2.4 18 34 34 2.5 14 40 38 2.3 11 42 32 Maturity Bud 1/10 bloom Full bloom Seed FRANK A. FILLIPPO, INC. - WANTED - DISABLED & CRIPPLED COWS, BULLS & STEERS Competitive Prices Paid Slaughtered under government inspection Call: Frank Fillippo - Residence - 215-666-0725 Elam Cinder - 717-367-3824 C.L. King - 717-786-7229 Poly Square Means Healthier Calves The Poly Square Big Foot is constructed of Opaque material to eliminate the solar effect. It blocks out sunheat-not sunlight. Poly Square’s inverted ribs and s'(\N)xT6'{l) make it the biggest unit on the market today and extremely wind resistant. It has no pop rivets which means no breaks or cracks for snow and rain to sift in. The unit weighs 100 pounds plus manger & buckets. And Poly Square Big Foot is large enough so your calf can lay in the center, away from cold walls in the winter. Use Poly Square with our side feed station and bottle holder which is perfect for use with a fence in a more traditional setting. New Side Hay Feeder Made especially for Poly Square Big Foot, no other unit has this feature. Also has a center roof vent for better air movement. SQUARE Route 1 Box 13 Litchfield, MN 55355 levels of root carbohydrate in alfal fa occur at full flower and these levels have been associated with increased stand persistence. Harvest Strategies CRAFT-BILT CONSTRUCTION INC. FARM-HOME BUILDING 1242 Breneman Road MANHEIM, PA 17545 PH: (717) 655-4372 BUILDING & REMODELING FOR DAIRY RESIDENTIAL SWINE POLE BUILDINGS BEEF STORAGE er, does effect alfalfa yield and quality. Harvesting the newly seeded alfalfa between the bud and 10 percent bloom stage of develop ment produces the greatest dry matter and quality yield. Harvesting earlier produces less dry matter and harvesting later results in less nutrient yield per acre. If soil fertility is optimum, the stand appears healthy, and a highly-disease resistant variety of alfalfa was seeded, then harvesting at the bud stage should be consid ered as a harvest management option. When a companion crop is spring seeded with the alfalfa, harvesting of the companion crop dictates the timing of the initial alfalfa harvest Alfalfa seeded dur ing late summer or early fall is usu ally well established by the follow ing spring and can be subjected to the same harvest regime as estab lished alfalfa. Cutting alfalfa for the first time at a stubble height greater than 3 to 5 inches does not improve persis tence but does lower yield. Yield reductions of approximately 35 KEN CLUGSTON (717) 665-6775 We Proudly Salute Our Dairymen! (612) 693-8370 or (612) 693-9323 Toll Free 1-800-328-7659 percent are reported when alfalte is cut at 9 inch compared to 3-inch stubble height Established Stands Although the highest quality forage is obtained by culling immature alfalfa, forage yields and root carbohydrate reserves are usu ally reduced by cutting at imma ture stages, and long-term persis tence is less likely when plants are stressed in this way. Therefore, cutting at first flower or one-tenth flower has generally been recom mended as a compromise to achieve moderate forage quality and provide adequate root car bohydrate reserves for stand persistence. Goals of the producer and local growing conditions will influence harvest management decisions. Goals should be based on relative importance of yield, quality, and persistence in a specific farming system. Producers who grow hay for dairy animals place a very high importance on quality and may routinely harvest alfalfa at the bud stage. If the hay is produced for maintenance of beef cows, then maximum yield is more important itlartin Conttett Subsidiary of Martin Paving, Inc. CONCRETE MIXED AT JOB SITE METERED DELIVERY PAY ONLY FOR WHAT YOU USE! ~. A A „ Mon. Thru Sat. No Waste - We Mix Any Amount Delivery You Need - Mixes Can Be P.0.80x446 Changed Right On The Job Ephrata, PA STATE APPROVED DUST OIL FOR BARN YARDS. FARM LANES, ETC. SOYBEAN ROASTING on your farm Don’t Waste It - Roast It! ROAST & COOL • All in one unit • Your own grain on your farm • Latest in Roasting Technology • Roast at higher temperatures • Cools in just 10 minutes • Ultimate in flavor, payability, uniformity in full-fat soybean industry • Ready for storage • Economical Call Schnupp’s Grain Roasting to ROAST/COOL and dry and keep your own high quality corn on your farm. RD 6, Lebanon, Pa. 17042 PH: 717-865-6611 Lancaster Fainting, Saturday. Juhe i, 1981-845 than forage quality ana narvesung at one-tenth flower may be more profitable. Late fall cutting has traditional ly been associated with reduced stand persistence, because of potential carbohydrate reserve depletion and removal of stubble which catches snow and reduces soil temperature fluctuations. Fall cutting often increases stress on the alfalfa plant, but the risk of stand loss can be minimized by assessment and/or control of harvest intervals, alfalfa variety, soil conditions, and probable snow cover during the winter. If soil moisture is excessive, or poor drainage conditions exist, fall harvest may be more risky than under dryer conditions or in well drained soils. A general recom mendation to avoid fall cutting is too conservative for producers who attempt to maximize forage quality, short-term nutrient yields, and profit from an alfalfa stand. Current harvest management strategies for producing high qual ity forage are possible only in a complete management package. Key ingredients in such a package are variety selection and soil fertil ity management Ephrata: (717) 733-7915 Lititz: (717) 626-2494 Lebanon: (717) 272-7541
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