ESTIMATING ALFALFA QUALITY IN THE FIELD

  1. Choose a representative 2-square-foot area in the field. Determine the maturity of the most mature stem in the sampling area (vegetative, bud, or flower).
  2. Measure the length of the longest stem (from soil surface) in the 2-square-foot sampling area. Pull the stem to its full length for an accurate measurement.
  3. Use the chart to determine estimated neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the standing alfalfa crop.
    Example: Longest stem is 28 inches, most mature stem has buds; NDF = 38%.
  4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 in four or five representative areas across the field and take the average.
NOTE: This procedure does not account for changes in quality due to harvesting and storage. These factors may further raise NDF content by 3 to 6 units or more. Therefore, begin harvesting when the NDF of the standing forage is 4 to 6 units lower than the desired goal. Mixed alfalfa-grass stands should be harvested even earlier.

This procedure is most accurate in healthy stands of pure alfalfa not under stress.

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Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa Field GuideBulletin 827