Start Date
2-27-1986 10:30 AM
Description
Alfalfa management for maximum economic productivity is quite complex. Many factors ranging from cultivar selection and establishment to storage and feeding must be considered. In some cases these factors, yield and quality of a particular cutting of forage for example, are negatively correlated. Following good establishment of an adapted cultivar, cutting management has important effects on forage yield, forage quality, stand persistence, weed encroachment and other important responses. Maturity stage at the time of cutting greatly affects quality. After cutting, hay curing, packaging and storage conditions also affect quality. Clearly, in order to achieve the optimum combination of yield and quality, a number of factors must be considered.
Included in
Reducing Hay Losses — From Standing Crop through Storage
Alfalfa management for maximum economic productivity is quite complex. Many factors ranging from cultivar selection and establishment to storage and feeding must be considered. In some cases these factors, yield and quality of a particular cutting of forage for example, are negatively correlated. Following good establishment of an adapted cultivar, cutting management has important effects on forage yield, forage quality, stand persistence, weed encroachment and other important responses. Maturity stage at the time of cutting greatly affects quality. After cutting, hay curing, packaging and storage conditions also affect quality. Clearly, in order to achieve the optimum combination of yield and quality, a number of factors must be considered.