By Andi Anderson
As warm weather accelerates forage maturity across Ohio, farmers face critical decisions regarding harvest timing to ensure profitability in livestock management. The state exhibits varying stages of forage growth, with significant progress noted in recent weeks.
In southern Ohio, numerous forage grasses have entered the heading stage, signaling advanced maturity. Conversely, northern regions observe a mix of vegetative growth and initial heading, with notable exceptions like Orchard grass and barnyard grass. These varieties are on the brink of heading and will likely do so within the week.
While alfalfa maturity often guides harvest decisions, its reliability can be affected by climatic fluctuations impacting bud and flower development. Consequently, growers must monitor alfalfa closely to pinpoint optimal harvest times. The rate of alfalfa %NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) increases approximately 5 percentage units weekly during spring changes, underscoring the need for vigilance.
Although traditional wet chemistry remains the gold standard for %NDF measurement, its time-intensive nature can impede timely harvest decisions. To address this, growers can adopt the Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality (PEAQ) method, which offers rapid estimations based on alfalfa crop height and stage. PEAQ assessments should begin once the alfalfa crop reaches 16 inches in height, providing valuable insights into %NDF levels.
It's important to note that the PEAQ method is tailored for pure alfalfa stands and may yield inaccurate results for alfalfa-grass mixtures. Nevertheless, it remains a valuable tool for estimating %NDF in the alfalfa component of fields. Meanwhile, grasses should be monitored according to growth stage for harvest estimations.
In the coming weeks, Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) Educators and State Specialists across Ohio will report %NDF levels in pure alfalfa stands. As most alfalfa in the state surpasses the 16-inch mark, growers can anticipate %NDF ranging from 28.5 to 32, indicating varying stages of maturity.
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Categories: Ohio, Crops, Hay & Forage