Influence of Cutting Time on Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Sugar Content and Silage Fermentation
2006
Al-Ghumaiz, Nasser S. | Leep, Richard H. | Dietz, Timothy S.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) haylage (silage) is an important component in feed rations for dairy and beef herds in the north-central region. Weather conditions in this region during first cutting don't always allow adequate curing of forage for dry hay production, so alfalfa may be ensiled. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of morning (AM) versus afternoon (PM) cutting time upon sugar content of fresh cut alfalfa and the lactic acid concentration of ensiled alfalfa in Michigan. The study was conducted over the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons at the Michigan State University farm in East Lansing, MI. PM cutting normally provided greater sugar content in harvested alfalfa than AM cutting, but there was no improvement in silage fermentation based on lactic acid content. There was also no difference between AM and PM cutting time on alfalfa crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber contents.
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