Cutting Alfalfa in Late Autumn Increases Annual Yield, Doesn't Hurt Stands, But is Unlikely to Increase Profit

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growers wanting to maximize annual yields are often tempted to take an additional harvest in late autumn. Our overall objective was to determine if harvesting alfalfa an 'extra' time in late autumn impacts long-term yield and stand persistence. Averaged over five years, the net gain in yield for taking an additional harvest in late autumn was only 0.11, 0.25, and 0.40 tons/acre for alfalfa harvested every 28, 35, and 42 days during the growing season, respectively. Stand persistence was equal for all treatments. An economic analysis shows that the low net yields from a late-autumn harvest usually do not justify the added expense.