What is a preferred harvest time for alfalfa to ensure quality?

Harvesting alfalfa at the late bud stage is preferred to ensure optimal quality for several reasons. At this growth stage, alfalfa plants are still immature enough to have a high nutrient concentration, particularly in protein and energy content. This stage also indicates that the plants are before flowering, which is crucial to maintaining quality since the nutritional value tends to decline once flowering begins.

Harvesting at the late bud stage maximizes the palatability and digestibility of the forage, making it more beneficial for livestock. Additionally, plants harvested before they enter the flowering stage can recover more quickly and maintain better overall health for subsequent cuttings. This balance is essential for farmers looking to maximize both the feed quality for their animals and the yield potential for future harvests.

Early spring could lead to lower dry matter yields due to cooler temperatures impacting growth. Early summer may involve higher fiber levels as plants begin flowering, lowering overall quality. Harvesting anytime in fall risks harvesting overly mature plants, which would have significantly reduced quality and higher fiber content. Thus, the late bud stage is the optimal time for harvesting alfalfa to ensure its highest quality.