Alfalfa Forage Quality Using PEAQ Readings and Scissor Cuts

Determining when to cut first-crop alfalfa is often difficult because alfalfa quality, relative to flowering stage, varies greatly. To help with this dilemma in Fond du Lac County, Extension Fond du Lac County in collaboration with Fond du Lac County Forage Council are hosting the Alfalfa Quality Project Watch.

Alfalfa PEAQ Stick Measurements gathered Thursday, May 9, 2024

A few alfalfa buds could be felt, but most plants in this week’s assessment were primarily vegetative. Relatively warm winter/spring may lead to earlier harvest this season. Be sure to check fields regularly to assess individual harvest timing. Use the link below to use a yard stick to Estimate RVF Using PEAQ.

NOTE: This procedure estimates alfalfa RFV content of the standing crop. It does not account for changes in quality due to wilting, harvesting, and storage. These factors may further lower RFV content by 10 to 25 units, assuming good wilting and harvesting conditions. This procedure is most accurate for good stands of pure alfalfa with healthy growth.

May 9th Values:

Scissor Clip Lab Tests in Fond du Lac Co. will be taken Monday, May 13. All sites will have PEAQ measurements reported as well.

Visit the UW Madison Extension Crops & Soils Topic Hub for more Alfalfa Management resources:

Thank you to our generous supporters for their financial support for the Alfalfa Quality Watch Project: Country Visions, Bayer (Dekalb), Syngenta (NK), FS Insight, Corteva (Brevant), Eden Equipment, Winfield United (Croplan), Hundertmark Seed, HOdorff Seed & Agronomy, Oakfield Elevator, Farmers Elevator, Rock River Seed & Chemical, Prairie Rock Seed, CP Feeds, United Coop, Dairyland Seed/ Lonnie Boelk (Spangler), Community Ag Service, Miritz Custom Chopping