Oklahoma Alfalfa
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station

WHEN SHOULD NEW STANDS BE HARVESTED?

Don't abuse young stands by rushing harvest or grazing. Young alfalfa plants need time to develop extensive root systems. The root system is the primary advantage alfalfa has over most other forages, and harvesting new stands too early can slow the development of the root system.   

It can be tempting to harvest "rabbit hay" from a new stand in the fall or to graze it. Either of these practices can decrease the productiveness of the alfalfa stand. The most productive stands of alfalfa are generally sown in the fall and harvested about May 1 of the next year.   

One exception would be grazing weedy areas after a killing freeze (lower than 20F). This could facilitate removal of weedy grasses which may harm alfalfa by shading.   

The first flush of growth for first-year plants normally does not bloom. When new growth is initiated from crowns, it is time to harvest. If a severe infestation of weeds exists, then the first harvest should be taken when weeds shade out alfalfa seedlings (normally in mid-April, with cheat).   

After the first cutting, the stand can be treated as most mature stands. There is little reason to baby or pamper new stands. 

Addition Information:   

• Alfalfa Stand Establishment Questions and Answers. OSU Extension Circular E-949  
• Alfalfa Stand Establishment. OSU Extension Facts F-2089   
• Alfalfa Harvest Management Discussion with Cost-Benefit Analysis. OSU Extension Circular E-943.  HTML Format (faster) or PDF Format (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)