EARLY FIRST CUTTINGS CAN HELP

One of the benefits of harvesting alfalfa when the first flower buds are detectable is alfalfa weevil control. This is particularly true when the weevil infestations are light and late, as they are predicted to be this spring.  

We were told for years not to cut alfalfa until it reaches 10% bloom. This is a good rule but not always essential to follow. A good healthy alfalfa stand can be cut 7-10 days before it reaches 10% bloom. Healthy stands can be cut without drastic ill effects when only a few stem terminals have flower buds.  

When there is little warm weather through February, it is certain alfalfa weevils will not come early. They may be late enough that alfalfa producers can simply take the first cutting instead of spraying. Sometimes producers spray during late April.  Then they have to wait and their first cuttings may be rain-damaged.  

As storm fronts begin moving through, as normally happens during late April and early May, getting alfalfa out of the field during a short break in the weather may have real advantages.  

In addition to avoiding an insecticide application, early-cut hay is higher quality. If it is ready to sell a few days before other producers have cut, and the quality is high, the price may be surprisingly good. This, combined with the general shortage of hay, says with a little luck, early first cuttings should bring good prices.  

Another reason for harvesting a little early is weed control. If you can bale up weeds before seeds mature and fall to the ground, there may be fewer the next year. Weeds, too, have higher feed quality when harvested early.  

If the first cutting is taken off early, the stand should be managed as closely as possible to a normal schedule during the rest of the summer. One early cutting is not harmful to a healthy alfalfa stand.  

Weak alfalfa stands, grown on soils with inadequate fertility, low pH, or a poor variety, will be hurt worse by harvesting early than healthy stands. Cutting weak stands early may result in a drastic stand reduction.  

Generally, a good target for first cutting in Oklahoma is the first of May. A week earlier in the south and a week later in the north is normal. Cuttings during late May are generally too late and result in poor hay quality. Late cuttings frequently result in very big windrows that are hard to dry.