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Alfalfa yield & quality is highest
just before cutting. Everything that happens after that only reduces yield
and/or quality. Some of the "types of losses" include:
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Respiration (while drying) which stops as
moisture content falls to about 35-40%.
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Rain on hay in windrows prolongs the respiration
period and causes leaching of soluble nutrients.
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Leaf shattering can result in 15 to 30% loss
in dry matter.
To reduce losses, producers should consider
some of the following alternatives. There are always trade-offs. Few, if
any, of these will work for everyone because each hay producer has a unique
set of circumstances. Such practices should be thought about well before
alfalfa is ready to harvest because once harvest time arrives it is difficult
to make changes that could reduce losses.
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Flash grazing is one of the most efficient
harvest methods -- but only for certain producers. There is no drying period
and very little chance for shattering.
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Greenchop and feeding fresh also eliminates
losses during drying and most shatter losses. Obviously, transportation
of forage that is 75-80% water is costly.
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Haylage or silage is a good way to go for
producers who can use it on-farm.
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Ventilators on plungers allow hay to be baled
a little wetter sometimes, avoiding part of the drying period and possibly
a shower.
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Harvesting earlier (especially first harvest)
results in a smaller amount of forage to dry, smaller windrows, and shorter
drying time. Drying 1.5 tons/acre is easier than drying 2.5 to 3 ton/acre.
This may let you miss a shower.
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Adjusting crimpers for the conditions at each
cutting and each field is often overlooked but highly effective. All stems
should be broken every 2 to 4 inches to be effective in speeding up the
drying process.
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Wide windrows (allowing more hay to be in
direct sunlight and wind) will reduce the amount of time in the field,
perhaps missing a shower.
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Tedders, fluffers, windrow inverters, and
special rakes can reduce field losses, when used correctly.
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Hay inoculants, preservatives, and desiccants,
under certain conditions, can be worth the cost and effort.
Producers should consider some of these ways
to reducing harvest losses and to talk with suppliers and equipment dealers.
Each new thing that producers do requires much thought and planning.
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