Certain soil fertility conditions, such as a very low pH, could eliminate alfalfa from a mixed seeding, thereby changing the species composition of the stand and greatly diminishing its quality. Significance of Factors that Influence Forage Quality All of the ranked factors above can be controlled to some extent through proper management. For example, maturity can be controlled by adjusting harvest dates. The highest quality species that fit the available soil resources should be chosen. Drying agents and preservations may help to avoid rain-damaged forage.
Soil testing can identify optimum lime and fertilizer additions.
Although variety selection is very important for yield and persistence, it is of relatively less value to forage quality. Several alfalfa trials throughout the United States now include forage quality in their evaluation of new varieties. At a given trial site, all varieties are harvested on the same date and then evaluated for forage quality. Any differences in maturity among varieties could influence the ranking of those varieties. In other words, some of the reported differences in forage quality between varieties may only be reflecting that they were harvested and compared at different maturities.