Menu

Description: The top image shows an alfalfa field in early bloom prior to harvest. The stage at which the alfalfa is cut influences the nutrient value. As alfalfa matures, protein and energy decrease as the fiber content increases, for these reasons alfalfa should be harvested at the late bud stage of growth. The middle image shows an alfalfa field being cut into windrows, which will be left to wilt and dry to reach the desired moisture content before harvesting, as shown in the bottom image. The cut alfalfa can then be baled into hay, ensiled, or fed as green chop. Alfalfa should be dried to less than 20 percent moisture for hay (>80% DM), 60-70 percent moisture for silage (40-30% DM), or to 40-60% moisture (60-40% DM) for storage as haylage in an oxygen limiting silo. It is difficult to obtain a good fermentation in alfalfa silage because it contains high protein and low fermentable sugar, which promotes a clostridial fermentation at high moisture levels (<35% DM).

Resolution: 1080x2880

File Size: 1.52 MB