EFFECT OF DATES OF CUTTING ON DRY MATTER PRODUCTION AND CHEMICAL CONTENT OF ALFALFA AND BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL

Abstract

In two experiments, one with alfalfa and the other with birdsfoot trefoil, we have been able to show that a late cut in October does not adversely affect dry matter yield (DAI) of the legumes. Three cuts during a harvesting season ending on September 5 were detrimental to alfalfa, since lower yields were obtained the following year of harvest. Birdsfoot trefoil varieties were affected differentially. Three cuts did not affect the yield of Viking the following year, but did so of Empire. Significant differences in dry matter yields were obtained between DuPuits and Vernal and between Viking and Empire. Protein in the forage followed inversely the same pattern as that of DM yields, that is, where the intervals were shortest, the protein content was highest, and conversely. The total available carbohydrate and the nitrogen content of the roots were lowest following the treatments which had the shortest intervals between them.