Information is shared back to members and used for future University recommendations. Alfalfa will be samples for scissors clip as per standard protocol. Seed of all or any of above treatments will be broadcast onto defined areas of the grass pasture. Seeding will occur as soon as snow is gone in early March. Legume counts from three 2-ft square or larger areas per treatment will be taken in early May and September.
Counts are easiest to take when regrowth begins after a grazing cycle.
Alfalfa forage quality is critical for dairy cow performance. Earlier harvesting has generally been recommended to increase forage quality but this puts stress on the plant in reduced winter survival and yield the next year. Improved quality of some alfalfa varieties may allow harvesting at more mature stages while meeting dairy quality needs. Samples should be taken before 9 am. Samples will consist of 5 grab samples taken at random and hand clipped at 2 inches above ground.