Yield, Quality, and Persistence of Grazing‐ and Hay‐Type Alfalfa under Three Harvest Frequencies

Abstract

ble. Kust and Smith (1961) reported that 'Vernal' alfalfa ideally would be harvested three times (at about 42-d Producers in the lower Midwest often plant grazing-type alfalfa intervals) before 1 September in Wisconsin as a compro-(Medicago sativa L.) cultivars assuming they can withstand frequent hay harvests. However, little research has examined the long-term mise among forage yield, quality, and stand persistence. effects of frequent hay harvests on grazing-type compared with hay-However, harvesting four or more times during the type alfalfa. Our objective was to determine how cultivar-type and growing season or after 1 September reduced yields the harvest frequency change long-term alfalfa yields, quality, and stand following year by 30 to 78%. Subsequent studies by persistence. 'Alfagraze' (grazing-type), 'Pioneer 5373' (modern, Matches et al. (1970), Brink and Marten (1989), Brown multipest resistant hay-type), and 'Cody' (older hay-type) alfalfa were et al. (1990), and Sheaffer et al. (2000) have shown that seeded on 1 Apr. 1994, near Mt. Vernon, MO. Cultivars were main alfalfa should be harvested every 30 to 35 d during the plots, and four, five, or six harvests before 15 September (42, 34, and growing season to maximize forage yield, quality, and 28 d between harvests, respectively) were subplots in a randomized stand persistence. complete block in a split-plot arrangement. Cumulatively, over 5 yr, Research from Georgia suggests that harvesting al-Pioneer 5373 produced 6% (2.8 Mg ha Ϫ1 ) more forage than Alfagraze and 10% (5.0 Mg ha Ϫ1 ) more than Cody. Alfalfa harvested four times falfa frequently during the growing season may be less yielded 7% (0.8 Mg ha Ϫ1 ) more per year than when harvested five detrimental for grazing-type cultivars than for traditimes, and 28% (3.1 Mg ha Ϫ1 ) more than when harvested six times.tional hay-types Bouton, 1991, 1992).Alfagraze and the hay-types yielded equally when harvested six times. Brummer and Bouton (1991) found that Alfagraze, a Alfagraze usually had equal or lower detergent fiber, and equal or cultivar selected under continuous grazing pressure, was greater crude protein (CP) concentrations than other cultivars. Harmorphologically different than modern hay-types, being vesting more frequently improved forage quality but had little impact more decumbent and having many, thin stems compared on plant density. We concluded that a grazing-type, like Alfagraze, with modern hay-types. They suggested that these mordoes not show a yield or persistence advantage over a modern hayphological traits made grazing-type alfalfa cultivars toltype under frequent hay harvest regimes in the lower Midwest. Howerant of frequent harvests. Subsequent research with ever, the grazing-type used in this study often had superior forage quality.

Assessment of yield and quality characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars with different fall dormancy rating

“…The lower mean CP content in 2008 could be due to slightly more mature plants at harvesting time than those in the 2009. CP concentration values determined in the present study are lower than those reported by Kallenbach et al, (2002);Spandl and Hesterman (1997);and Al-Ghumaiz (2012), while they were similar with those reported by Canbolat et al (2006);and Avci et al (2007); and Karayilanli and Ayhan (2016).…”

Forage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Reduced Lignin and Reference Alfalfa Cultivars

“…Previous research has also concluded that as the interval between harvests increased, annual DM forage accumulation increased (Brink and Marten, 1989;Kallenbach et al, 2002;Putnam et al, 2005;Probst and Smith, 2011;Min, 2016). In Missouri, Kallenbach et al (2002) reported that alfalfa harvested four times per year produced 7 and 28% more than when harvested five or six times per year, respectively.…”

“…In Missouri, Kallenbach et al (2002) reported that alfalfa harvested four times per year produced 7 and 28% more than when harvested five or six times per year, respectively. Similarly, Min (2016) reported increasing alfalfa forage accumulation as cutting intervals increased from 28 to 42 d in Kansas.…”

“…This agrees with findings from previous studies examining the CP content of alfalfa under various harvest frequencies. It has been well-documented that CP content declines as harvest intervals are lengthened (Weir et al, 1960;Nordkvist and Åman, 1986;Hall et al, 2000;Kallenbach et al, 2002;Yu et al, 2003;Palmonari et al, 2014;Min, 2016). In Kansas, Min (2016) reported that delaying a 28-d harvest by 5 or 18 d reduced CP concentrations by 4 and 6%, respectively.…”

Planting Alfalfa with Cover Crops on Forage Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Values of Alfalfa

“…On average over the cuttings in 2014, planting alfalfa with annual ryegrass had significantly lower crude protein contents, higher acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents than other cover crop treatments. Nutritive values of alfalfa are generally affected by stage of maturity, cutting frequency, and harvest management (Brink and Marten, 1989;Brink et al, 2010;Kallenbach et al, 2002;Kust and Smith, 1961;Moyer et al, 1999) but nutritive values of alfalfa were also affected by cover crop tested in this study. It's not certain why alfalfa planted with annual ryegrass had the lowest nutritive values as compared to other cover crop treatments.…”