Daily changes in alfalfa forage quality

Several studies are reviewed which relate the daily variation in total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) to hay quality, implications for animal preference studies and hay tests, forage intake by animals, and resulting animal production. From these results we conclude that TNC concentrations in alfalfa can increase linearly during the day. Alfalfa forage samples taken for animal preference or TNC analyses should be taken within lh to control daily variation within 5%. We estimate 136 (first cutting) and 81 lbs TNC/ac (fourth cutting) increase by PM- versus AM-cutting. Increasing windrow width in heavy hay from 48 to 60 in windrow allows for faster dry-down, however in light hay increased windrow width is not necessary. The "super conditioner" may provide faster dry-down of alfalfa hay in some conditions