Start Date
2-27-2003 8:50 AM
Description
At the 22nd Kentucky Alfalfa Conference we discussed the relationship among Alfalfa - Yield-Quality-Persistence. In our presentation, we indicated that all three components must be considered for best management of alfalfa stands. Over the past week, I have looked through the past twenty-two years of Alfalfa Conference Proceedings. It's interesting, but not surprising that we have focused far more attention on yield than on quality and/or persistence.
Alfalfa yield (quantity) and quality are both important; however, it is easier for producers to recognize problems associated with quantity than quality because quantity can be easily assessed visually. Thus, forage quantity often receives far more emphasis than alfalfa quality and the result is that animal performance is often penalized.
Included in
Alfalfa Hay Quality: Terms and Definitions
At the 22nd Kentucky Alfalfa Conference we discussed the relationship among Alfalfa - Yield-Quality-Persistence. In our presentation, we indicated that all three components must be considered for best management of alfalfa stands. Over the past week, I have looked through the past twenty-two years of Alfalfa Conference Proceedings. It's interesting, but not surprising that we have focused far more attention on yield than on quality and/or persistence.
Alfalfa yield (quantity) and quality are both important; however, it is easier for producers to recognize problems associated with quantity than quality because quantity can be easily assessed visually. Thus, forage quantity often receives far more emphasis than alfalfa quality and the result is that animal performance is often penalized.