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Start Date
3-3-2021 7:20 PM
Description
Every forage producer knows that maturity is the most important factor in determining forage quality. When hay is harvested at the vegetative (leafy) stage, then there is a high likelihood that the forage quality will be high. Grass stands harvested at the boot stage (before seedhead emergence) will have increased yield over vegetative stands, but the quality is lower. Usually though, boot stage harvests provide a good compromise between yield and quality. The quality of grass stands continues to decline once the seedhead emerges and especially after anthesis (pollen shed) and when the seed starts developing.
Included in
Maturity Differences in Orchardgrass and Alfalfa: Implications for Forage Quality
Every forage producer knows that maturity is the most important factor in determining forage quality. When hay is harvested at the vegetative (leafy) stage, then there is a high likelihood that the forage quality will be high. Grass stands harvested at the boot stage (before seedhead emergence) will have increased yield over vegetative stands, but the quality is lower. Usually though, boot stage harvests provide a good compromise between yield and quality. The quality of grass stands continues to decline once the seedhead emerges and especially after anthesis (pollen shed) and when the seed starts developing.