By Scout Nelson
Minnesota dairy farmers are benefiting this season from the University of Minnesota Extension’s Alfalfa Harvest Alert Program, now in its 29th year. The initiative, in partnership with the Central Minnesota Forage Council, helps producers determine the best time to harvest alfalfa—a key forage crop in dairy production.
The program involves local Extension educators like Jackie Estrem and Taylor Herbert who take scissors-cut samples of alfalfa fields when plant heights reach 14 to 16 inches. These samples are then analyzed in labs to determine important values such as Relative Feed Quality (RFQ) and Relative Feed Value (RFV). These numbers help guide decisions about the ideal time for the first alfalfa cutting.
“Alfalfa is a legume that many dairy farmers grow because it’s a key source of protein in cow diets,” said Dana Adams, a local Extension educator for livestock. “The protein content not only supports cow health but also contributes to quality milk production.”
“The first cutting is the most important,” said Mark Skroch of Sunny Oaks Farm in Benton County. “Knowing when to cut ensures we get the best quality and tonnage. Extension is very good to work with, and this really helps.”
This year, farmers in Stearns, Benton, Morrison, Wright, McLeod, Sibley, Nicollet, and Carver counties will benefit from regular updates. Data is shared via the Alfalfa Harvest Alert Data Tool and through farm radio stations.
Extension staff say the program continues to be a vital tool in supporting dairy farmers’ productivity and sustainability goals. More details are available on Extension’s forage web pages.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-0shut0
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Alfalfa