If cutting often at the prebud stage causes stand life to be reduced by a year or so, this result in reduced profits because of having to establish a new stand earlier than planned. A premium price must be received for hay to offset the loss of profit due to reduced stand life. Economic analyzes of alfalfa forage production indicate that 2 years are needed to recover establishment costs and begin making a profit from alfalfa. OSU surveys indicate dairy managers are willing to pay more for higher quality alfalfa hay. Any factor that reduces productive stand life must be offset by increased profitability during the remaining years to keep the entire enterprise operating at a profit.
Weather conditions are often cool and wet enough in Oklahoma to delay blooming.
A much better indicator is to cut when new growth can be seen at the base of alfalfa plants. Harvesting at this time results in higher quality hay and reduces drying time 1 or 2 days. If you want high quality hay, therefore, it is important to cut in the bud stage or as soon as crown bud growth begins. Timing of first harvest can also be set by the calendar for healthy stands. Vigorous alfalfa stands can be harvested about April 15 in the southern part of Oklahoma and about May 1 in the north.