Corn, Soybean, Wheat and Alfalfa Field Guide, Bulletin 827, ALFALFA HARVEST TIMING

FALL HARVEST TIMING

Reduce the risk of winter injury by making the last harvest of alfalfa by September 7 in northern Ohio and by September 15 in southern Ohio. Cutting during late September and October disrupts the alfalfa's ability to accumulate energy and protein reserves used for winter survival and spring regrowth.

Sometimes cutting in the fall cannot be avoided. Below are strategies to reduce the risk of stand injury and yield reductions the next year.

Reducing Risk of Fall Cutting

Limit fall cutting to stands where harvest intervals during the growing season were long or allow a growth interval of 45 days before a fall harvest. A 3rd cutting during the fall is less risky than a 4th or 5th cutting.
Maintain optimal soil fertility levels (pH, P and K) to keep the stand healthy.
Disease resistant, winter hardy varieties will lessen the risk of injury from fall harvesting.
Do not cut fields that suffered significant stress (wet soils, potato leafhopper injury, etc.) during the growing season.
Cutting after killing frosts (25 F for several hours) in late October or early November is an option for well-drained soils not prone to heaving. Leave a 6-inch stubble. Late removal of plant cover increases the risk of frost heaving on soils prone to heaving.
Do not harvest late summer seedings in the fall.

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Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa Field GuideBulletin 827