The peak of pheasant hatching is about two weeks after normal alfalfa cutting times. Cutting at 10 percent bud stage provides optimum forage quality. A delay of one week decreases quality and increases fiber at the expense of protein. Protein composition is reduced 2 percent by delaying cutting one week from first flower. Quality of alfalfa cut one week late is adequate for beef cows.
Dairy cows require grain and supplement.
Develop odd areas for food and cover. Pheasants use odd areas for nesting and winter cover. Losses of pheasant reproduction due to alfalfa cutting may be avoided if permanent nesting habitat is located elsewhere. Leaving odd areas should be considered where cultivation causes serious soil loss. Noxious weeds may be a problem unless the areas are planted to a perennial cover crop such as a tall wheatgrass and alfalfa mixture.