September Alfalfa

[Cam50]

All the old boys here in Mi. have always said no cutting in September. I understand the concept, but is it a calender thing, weather related, or what? The way the seasons have been changing, I"m wondering if the theory still holds up, or should I be doing something different?
Thanks

 

[Stuart]

I live in SW Wisconsin and its mostly an old wives tale. I have cut hay into october and never had any winter kill. If you let the hay get to tall before winter, that will kill it to. It depends on how healthy or young the crop is to.

 

[paul]

My understanding is that if the alfalfa has less than 200 growing degree days since last cutting it won't be using much root energy yet & no harm.

If it has been more than 600 degree days since last cutting, then it will have restored it's roots and no harm.

The trouble is if you are between those - the alfalfa will use energy from the roots, and not have a chance to restore the roots. In a difficult winter, the weaker root stores will lead to weaker alfalfa come spring. You'll have less growth on 1st cutting next year, or possibly reduced stand. All depends on the fal & winter; but there is a good chance you will get waeker alfalfa. Probably not dead, but - weaker.

Now the trick is to guess when the first frost is, and growing degrees end.....

--->Paul

 

[Chris in SK]

I second cut some Alfalfa 2nd week of Sept a few years ago, and had a poor crop the next year, so i won't be trying that again. Mostly up here, if you can't get second cut by mid Aug you forget it. Alfalfa needs a few weeks of good growing to get the roots ready for winter.
Chris

 

[randallk]

I beg to differ. It most certainly is NOT an old wives tale. Obviously, there will be exceptions to the rule when there will be no known effects from a late cutting. It does depend upon the location throughout the States, but generally, here (central Missouri) the accepted practice is to let the alfalfa remain growing between the dates of Sept.15 through the 1st of November. It is during this time that the root reserves are built up which GREATLY enhances winter survival. The process is called "reverse plasmolysis". After this period of time it is OK to cut the stand as the root reserves are basicly full and removing the top growth is acceptable. Unless a producer is in tire need of feed, it is too much risk to take given the costly nature of growing alfalfa.

 

[kyhayman]

I'm with Paul on this, pretty much depends on how mature it is when you cut and the remaining growing degree days. Too often, we stick with what the calander says rather than following the biology. Here, Sept 20 is supposed to be our cut off day. I try to start my last cutting and or grazing on the 10th or so of Sept and finish my last fields the 1st of Oct timing it so that the fields cut after the 20th are older stands in their last year or two of production. This year is an exception here. Almost all of my alfalfa has already gone dormant from drought. Unless we get a lot of water and GDD the next couple of weeks it wont matter when its cut. Im holding off and only cutting fields as they start to obviously decline since this cutting will be really marginal as to the economics of taking it.

 

[Loren MN]

Here's some info:

http://ipcm.wisc.edu/WCMNews/tabid/53/EntryId/416/Late-Summer-Cutting-Management-of-Alfalfa.aspx

 

[JMS/.MN]

Yeah- what you said. Here, the window is earlier, but for the same reason- roots need to rejuvenate before a killing frost. Once frozen, it should be cut in 2-3 days, before the leaves fall off. Makes excellent feed, but slower drying with the short days.

 

[Stuart]

I have been doing it this way for at least 15 years on our farm and only gotten caught once and it wasnt even that bad

 

[showcrop]

If I see an opportunity for a good late cutting of Alfalfa, I have always waited until a good forecast after a killing frost, which I believe is the definition of Indian summer. I apply potash every other year and my alfalfa stand seems to get stronger every year.

 

[randallk]

Stuart, My wife and I took our honeymoon in the SW Wisconsin area in early June the year we got married. I was amazed at the alfalfa grown there. Compared to my area in Missouri, you guys live in a virtual Garden Of Eden. As I understand it, you don't have alfalfa weevils nor many of the alfalfa diseases we have to contend with. I always wanted a farm in your area.....but alas, 30 years and four kids later, I'm still here. Post some pictures of your alfalfa sometime. All the best. Randall

 

[GordoSD]

Paul has it nailed, but a little better formula is 200 to 500. My state (SD) has a GDD chart dating back to temps in 1888. You just plug in the date you would mow and it shows the expected GDD. For example I just entered Oct 1 and it showed 188 days so that would be a good time to mow.
Google up GDD and your state and see if you can get that info.

Gordo

 

[GordoSD]

Problem was you cut just about perfectly in the middle of the 200 to 500 GDD window. LAter would have been much better. Get the info from your states ag college re weather GDD.

Gordo

 

[GordoSD]

Growing Degree Day. The formula. Average daily high (H)+ Average daily Low (L) Divide by 2.
Example 75 high plus 45 low divided by 2 equals 60
Then subract the "base for your geo position". Base Might be 45.So you have a daily number of 15. SO you would need cut at least 14 days before this to be under 200 GDD
But you need your location GDD chart for the base and the average temps over the last 50 years to determine this number.

Gordo

 

[Larry NE IL]

I have never baled hay that stayed so green as the stuff I cut right after a killing freeze.
It always sells as soon as it is made, due to the rich green color.