CUT HAY IN THE AFTERNOON TO IMPROVE FORAGE QUALITY

It has been known for a long time that plants accumulate sugars in leaves during the day because the rate of photosynthetic production of sugar is faster than its export to other parts of the plant and faster than its conversion to structural cellulose and lignin carbohydrates. Hay producers can use this knowledge to increase the nutritive value of hay simply by mowing hay in the afternoon hours rather than the morning hours. Recent studies show the total non-structural carbohydrates (sugars and starch) are significantly greater in alfalfa mowed after noon than when mowed in the morning, with peak content at 4:00 p.m. (see Figure 1)