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Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Alfalfa: Where’s the Yield?Mike RankinCrops and Soils AgentUW ExtensionFond du Lac CountyAlfalfa - Still the Queen of ForagesWendelin Grimm brought over the first sack offall dormant alfalfa seed and planted it inCarver Co., MN in 1858.After nearly 150 years, we’ve madeconsiderableid bl gaini butb theh factf isi thath we stillillhave a lot to learn.Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.1

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Alfalfa Seeding RateSeeding at 15 lbs. of PLS per acre equates tohow many seeds per square foot?75The “Bob Uecker” EffectFigure 1. Typical progression from seeding 15lb/acre of alfalfa seed to productive plants at 24months after seeding80number/sq. ft.706050403020100SeedsplantedSeedlings Plants @ Plants @3-4 weeks 12 months 24 monthsMike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.2

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Recommended seeding rates suggested byauthors of several alfalfa seeding rate studiesStated dRecommendedSeeding RateLbs./acreSeeding A1991‐926‐249PA MO1995‐983‐25 15Alfalfa Quality Drivers Growing environment– Temperature and moisture Plant maturityy (time(of cutting)g) Time from cutting to harvest (chop/bale)– Rain and Respiration losses Mechanical Factors– Cutting height Pre-harvest managementg– Variety selection, soil fertility, pest control, etc. Packing and storage structure Yield vs. Quality TradeoffMike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.3

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010TemperatureNight temperature influence on alfalfa quality(Kay and Horrocks, 1993)NightTemp.ADF %NDF eEffect of temperature on alfalfa time toflowering(Faix, 1993)Temperature (oF)Days to Maturity6352723381269021Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.4

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010TemperatureIncreasing temperature of thegrowing environment: decreases stem diameter accelerates rate of maturityincreases lignificationdecreases plant heightddecreasesleafl f tot stemtratiotidecreases digestibilityMoistureMike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.5

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010MoistureEffect of drought under field conditions onyield, CP, and NDF of alfalfa (Minnesota, rol---tons StStem12 612.614 114.160 260.254 354.319.319.545.340.5Total2.91.9MoistureMoisture deficit: inhibits cell enlargementdelays plant maturity (if early)decreases plant heightincreases leaf to stem ratioincreases stem N%, decreases leaf N%(results have varied) generally decreases NDF effect varies with severity/timingMike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.6

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Growing Environment Moisture and temperature areinteractive (cool drought vs. hotdrought) Growing environment is often thereason why forage quality is notwhat was expected.Relative Feed Value of Alfalfa at 3 Spring DatesFond du Lac County (1991-2009)300280Relative Feeed Value260240220200180160140120100May 20June 1June 20022003200420052006200720082009Mean RFV Drop per day from May 20 to June 1 (Fond du Lac Co.,Co 1991-2009)MeanHighestLowestMay 20 to June 1-3.93-6.67-1.58June 1 to June 10-3.65-6.56-156May 20 to June 10-3.81-5.57-1.86Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.7

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Plant Maturity (time of cutting)Effect of plant maturity stage on alfalfa forage quality.Alfalfa ManagementGuide, 1994Time From Cutting to Harvest Rain damage impacts yield and quality– Leaching of plant cell solubles (carbohydrates) Fermentation inhibited by reduced substrate for bacteria Given the same amount of rainfall, more soluble compounds areleached from the forage with a light intensity rain than a highintensity rain.– RespirationR i ti llosses– Leaf lossMike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.8

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Rain DamageTYPICAL LOSSES, 1" RAIN DM loss of 8 to 17% CP decreases 1.7% NDF increases 6.0% TDN decreases 7.0%Consecutive Rain Free Days from May 20 toJune 10 in Fond du Lac, ecutive Days Without 45.59.614.4Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.9

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Mechanical – Cutting Height Wisconsin studies show an increase in yield of 0.13 to0.5 tons/ac for each 1-inch cutting height was reducedinchesfrom 6 to 2 inches. Forage quality decreased 1 to 7 RFV units per inchdepending on location and year.Pre-Harvest Management Factors Variety selection– Yes, but cutting time plays a bigger role. Soil Fertility– Impacts both yield and quality– Potash becoming a concern– Manure on alfalfa Pest Control– Weeds usually not a big problem UNLESS stand is infested withperennials (quackgrass)– Potato leafhoppersMike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.10

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality(PEAQ) University of Wisconsin forage researchersdeveloped mathematical equations thatpredict alfalfa quality “in the field”. Based on plant height and maturity Easy and proven accurate across a wideg of environments.rangeEstimates are madeat 4 to 5 locations ina field.The tallest stemmay not be the mostadvanced inmaturity.Measure from soilsurface.Measure to top ofstem tip, not tip ofhighest leaflet.Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.11

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality(PEAQ)Modification of PEAQ for Alfalfa Grass StandsCherney, 2008Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.12

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Comparison of RFV to RFQWhat is possible?RELEASED &EXPERIMENTALVARIETIES2009 Harvest (yields reported in tons/acre)May 18Jun 20 Jul 20 Oct 52009Total NING 982.859.93DKA43 13DKA43-132 442.442 542.542 042.042 842.849 88.61ONEIDA 38.15Mean2.342.541.972.639.47Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.13

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield andPersistence Project2007 - 2009 Summary27Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield andPersistence Project Some history . WI Green Gold Program terminated in 1996 Measure on farm performance of alfalfaSmall area ( 1 acre), “best” areas of “best” fieldsInvolved much coordination and data analysisEvolved from yield/quality contest to profitability programTh onlyThel source off ““real”l” ffarm alfalfalf lf performancefddatat No consistent source of “on farm” alfalfaperformance data since the demise of Green Gold28Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.14

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield andPersistence Project Is there value in obtaining farm level alfalfa yieldandd qualitylit ddata?t ? Verify research findings Determine “What’s possible?” Monitor progress over time Shouldn’tt we have something? Shouldn Is it easy? What’s changed?29Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield andPersistence Project30Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.15

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield andPersistence Project Objectives: To verify the yield and quality of alfalfa harvested fromproduction fields over the life of the stand beginning with thefirst production year (year after seeding). To quantify decreases in stand productivity of alfalfa fieldsas they age.31Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield andPersistence Project Protocol Identify producers willing to cooperate AND with a vestedinterest in the results (multi-year commitment). Identify potential fields and verify acreage. No “special” management required Weigh ALL forage from program fields at each cutting. Sample forage from program fields at each cutting.cutting Keep cooperating farmers informed. Collect and analyze data at the end of each year.32Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.16

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield andPersistence Project2007:6 Farm Cooperators8 Fields2008:6 Farm Cooperators10 Fields2009:6 Farm Cooperators8 Fields33Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield andPersistence Project Field background information (2007-2009)(2007 2009) All seeded in 2006, 2007 or 2008 20 spring seeded, 6 late-summer seeded Seeding rates: 12 – 20 lbs. per acre (15-17 most common) Field sizes: 5.2 to 194.8 acres Cutting schedules: 3-,3- 4-,4- and 5-cut (4 1) systems34Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.17

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Alfalfa Yield and Stand Longevity ProjectGrower Name:Address:County:Mo/Yr Seeded: April, 2006Seeding Rate: 17 lbs./acVariety: Renk SummerGold2008Acres1st Cut38.9652nd Cut38.9653rd Cut38.9654th Cut38.965Cutting DateHarvest DateField Wet Yield (lbs)DM %Total Field DM Yield (tons)DM Yield per Acre (tons)% of Total Season Yield% of 1st Production 6.8190304424.228.634 934.946.9188305421.830.737 737.743.0158272523.826.933 533.543.819130265th 0.423.029.035.235245.61832976Field Notes: (pesticide applications, weather, etc.)35Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence ProjectSummary of Cutting Dates20071stCut2nd Cut3rd Cut4th Cut5th t Cut2nd Cut3rd Cut4th Cut5th 29-Oct20091st Cut2nd Cut3rd Cut4th Cut5th -Jul26-AugLatest10-Jun15-Jul31-Aug13-Sep36Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.18

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence ProjectRange for individual fields:2007 (n 8):Alfalfa Dry Matter % at Harvest by Year60.051.2Dry Matter %51.147 746 9 47.746.950 050.053.150.950.046 846.847 4 48.147.453.250.7For individual cutting:Wettest: 33.9% DMDriest: 67.6% DM56.049.846.047 147.148.8For totalFt t l season:Wettest: 41.6% DMDriest: 54.2% DM40.02008 (n 16):For individual cutting:Wettest: 33.0% DMDriest: 63.3% DM30.020.0For total season:Wettest: 37.0% DMDriest: 54.4% DM10.02009 (n 23):For individual cutting:Wettest: 27.7% DMDriest: 66.6% DM0.01st Cut2nd Cut3rd Cut200720084th Cut5th CutTot Sea2009For total season:Wettest: 37.9% DMDriest: 59.2% DM37Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence ProjectAverage Alfalfa Dry Matter Yield by Cutting and Total Season6.00DM Yield (tons/A)5.004.00444.44.03rd cuttingwas brutal!3.002.005.02007 n 8 fields2008 n 16 fields2009 n 23 fields1.5 1.5 1.6No 5-cutfields1.41.1 1.01.0 1.11.00060.60.8 0.8 0.90.70.40.001st Cut2nd Cut3rd Cut200720084th Cut5th CutTot Sea200938Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.19

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence ProjectAverage Alfalfa Dry Matter Yield by Cutting and Production Yearfor 4-cut system fields in 20095.004.50DM Yield (tons/A)4.003.504.41st Prod Yr n 6 fields2ndd Prodd Yr n 7 fieldsf ld3rd Prod Yr n 6 fields4.23.83.002.502.001.9 1.81.31.501.1 1.1 1.11.000.8 0.9 0.90 6 0.50.60 5 0.60.500.001st Cut2nd Cut1st Prod Yr3rd Cut2nd Prod Yr4th CutTot Sea3rd Prod Yr39Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence Project200720082009Yield Ranges:Yield Ranges:Yield 230.731stcut2.360.572nd cut1.771.022nd cut1.780.492nd cut1.600.553rd cut1.420.373rd cut1.540.763rd cut1.330.200 590.594th0 430.434thcut1 151.150 70Total5.272.214th5thcutcutTotal1 141.14cutcut1 121.1240Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.20

Dairy Forage Seminar - LuxemburgApril 15, 2010Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence Projectn 8Alfalfa Dry Matter Yield for Fields Cut 3, 4, or 5 Times perYear (2007 - 2009)65.37DM Yield (tons/A)54.3443.38321n 8n 30n 63 cuts/yr4 cuts/yr5 cuts/yr041Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence ProjectPercent of Total Season Yield byg for a 3-cut SystemyCutting1st Cut2nd Cut3rd CutMean443027High594350Low262316N 7 site-years42Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent,Fond du Lac Co.21