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Harvesting and Storing Quality Alfalfa

Harvesting and Storing Quality Alfalfa. www.InfoDairy.com. Harvesting and Storing Quality Alfalfa. Goals. Maintaining forage quality from field to dairy animal Minimum shrinkage and spoilage Excellent dairy animal performance.

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Harvesting and Storing Quality Alfalfa

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  1. Harvesting and Storing Quality Alfalfa www.InfoDairy.com

  2. Harvesting and Storing Quality Alfalfa www.infodairy.com

  3. Goals • Maintaining forage quality from field to dairy animal • Minimum shrinkage and spoilage • Excellent dairy animal performance www.infodairy.com

  4. There is no method of storage that can improve harvesting poor quality forage. www.infodairy.com

  5. Forage Yield relative to Quality at Different Growth Stages 4 90 3 80 Dry matter yield (tons per acre) % digestible dry matter 2 70 1 60 www.infodairy.com

  6. Leaves contain 70% of the protein and 90% of the vitamins and minerals, as compared to the stems. www.infodairy.com

  7. Lactating Cows • First two cuttings must be timely to provide highest yield of high quality forage. • 1st cutting at bud stage. • 2nd cutting 28 to 33 days after the first cut www.infodairy.com

  8. Other Dairy Animals • 10-20% bloom. • 2nd cutting 28-33 days after 1st cut www.infodairy.com

  9. Cut WidthCornell University Study • Only mow what can be merged (or raked) and chopped in one day. www.infodairy.com

  10. Cutting Height Cut at 2” heights to achieve maximum dry matter and nutrient yields. www.infodairy.com

  11. Time of Day for Harvesting • Leaf sugar and starch increase from late morning to mid-afternoon, then decease overnight. • It is best to cut alfalfa in the morning for higher quality haylage. www.infodairy.com

  12. Proper Particle Size Is Important • Too coarse cause a sorting problem. • Effective fiber is only effective if eaten Incorrect fiber length can lead to cows going off feed, low fat test, decline in milk production, displaced abomasums, laminitis, and liver abscesses. www.infodairy.com

  13. Guidelines for Separator Box Analysis Type of feed -------- Screen distribution -- % by wt. --------- Top*MiddleBottom TMR 7 – 10 45 – 55 40 – 50 Haylage 15 – 20 40 – 50 30 – 40 Corn Silage: Unprocessed < 5 50 – 60 < 30 Processed < 15 50 – 60 < 30 *For Top Screen – quality of material is most important. Cows more likely to eat high quality long stem forage vs. cobs and big coarse stems. www.infodairy.com

  14. Particle Size Guidelines • 3/8” with a max of 15-20% of particles > 1”-1 1/2” long. • Frequently observe the forages and make adjustments in harvest cut length to obtain desired particle sizes. www.infodairy.com

  15. Forage Storage Management Get anaerobic fermentation to reach a pH below 5.0 as rapidly as possible. • Goal • Fill as rapidly as possible • Sharp knives and cut forage at correct length. • Ensile at correct moisture. • Pack, pack and pack some more www.infodairy.com

  16. Storage Moisture Recommendations • Bag – 60-65% • Bunker/pile – 65-70% www.infodairy.com

  17. www.InfoDairy.com www.infodairy.com

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