Managing Alternative Forages

Reports indicate widespread alfalfa winterkill due to several thaws that reduced snow cover and created ice in fields. Many stands were either patched or put into an annual forage. Here are some tips on managing alternative forage crops.

First cut is usually (but not always) 60 days after planting

Table 1. Harvest guidelines for alternative forage crops

Crop Planting to 1st cut (days) Cutting Interval (days) Cut Height Stage for maximum quality Stage for maximum yield
Red clover 60-70 30-35 5 cm (2 in.) Late bud to 20% bloom -
Italian (or annual) ryegrass Head emerges at 55-60 35-40 10 cm (4 in.) Before boot stage -
Cereals For "grass": 45-50
For whole-crop: 60
Highly dependant on summer rainfall 7-10 cm (3-4 in.) Before boot stage -
Cereal/pea 45-50 Highly dependant on summer rainfall 7-10 cm (3-4 in.) Before cereal boot stage -
Sorghum-sudangrass, forage sorghum 60, but crop must be
>65 cm (26 in.) tall
Wait until crop is >65 cm (26 in.) tall 10 cm (4 in.) Before cereal boot stage -
Millet 55-60 Pearl and Japanese: 30-35
Foxtail and Proso do not regrow very well
Pearl and Japanese: 10 cm (4 in.)
Foxtail and Proso: 5 cm (2 in.)
Pearl and Japanese: 36 in.
Foxtail and Proso: before heading
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For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca