You can conduct the PEAQ method in your own fields by following the procedure found at: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/forage/files/2014/01/PEAQTable.pdf
Alfalfa Monitoring Project Results, May 30, 2023
Most fields in the region are ready for harvest. In part due to heat pushing maturity of alfalfa and any grasses/weeds in the fields and partially due to dryness creating a lack of growth opportunity moving forward. I would strongly recommend beginning harvest if you are wanting to harvest any decent type of quality. This goes for beef/heifer feed, as well, as if we don’t get a significant rain event very soon, most fields in the four counties are done growing for first crop. Again, please remember that these results are the PEAQ readings for pure alfalfa.
This is the last set of readings that will be taken for the 2023 alfalfa monitoring season.
Site | RFV | Tallest Stem |
Krakow | 172 | 31 – half of the spots had visible buds |
Shawano S | 150 | 34 – all had visible buds |
Caroline | 172 | 30 – all spots with visible buds |
Leopolis | 173 | 31 – all spots had visible buds |
Bowler A | 177 | 27.5 – one third had visible buds |
Bowler B | 193 | 26 – one third had visible buds |
Phlox | 187 | 28 – half had visible buds |
Polar | 175 | 31 – 1 spot had visible buds |
Bryant | 183 | 28 – couple spots with visible buds |
Beaver (poorer soil) | 175 | 29 – all spots had visible buds |
Beaver (poorer soil) | 162 | 30 – all had visible buds |
Again, please remember that these results are the PEAQ readings for pure alfalfa. Results from Outagamie County and my intuition both say that these results are still probably 30 or so points lower than what a laboratory analysis would return as RFQ, as we have just started to put on fiber growth. However, grasses and weeds will (usually) be lower forage value, so you need to think accordingly. I did note some adult alfalfa weevils in a few of the fields I walked, but not high populations and no signs of larvae, yet.
Next samples will be taken on Tuesday, May 30 and will likely be focused on the western and northern areas, as many fields in Eastern Shawano, Oconto, and Southern Marinette Counties will have been harvested by then. I am not able to collect data Friday/Saturday, as will be harvesting triticale nitrogen rate plots.
Site | RFV | Tallest Stem |
Middle Inlet | 238 | 22 |
Beaver East | 225 | 21 |
Beaver West | 190 | 26 – couple spots with visible buds |
Grover | 193 | 27 – couple spots with visible buds |
Lena North | 192 | 25 – 1/3 of spots with visible buds |
Cty. Line | 178 | 27 – 1/2 of spots with visible buds |
Stiles Jct. | 194 | 25 |
Gillett | 195 | 27 – couple spots with visible buds |
Chase | 190 | 25 |
Angelica | 185 | 27.5 |
Briarton Fall sdg | 195 | 24 |
Caroline | 195 | 25 – couple spots with visible buds |
Bowler A | 198 | 26 |
Bowler B | 222 | 21 |
Phlox | 210 | 24 |
Bryant | 212 | 23 |
Alfalfa Monitoring Project Results, May 18, 2023
Although was in a bunch of fields Thursday, will likely walk more fields next Tuesday and Friday/Saturday. Please let me know if you have fields you consider representative of your area and you are willing to have me walk them. Particularly if you are in Shawano or Langlade Counties, as have a few areas where I don’t have participating fields.
Please note that these results are the PEAQ readings for pure alfalfa. Results from Outagamie County and my intuition both say that these results are probably 30-50 points lower than what a laboratory analysis would return as RFQ, as we have not had fiber growth conditions yet this year.
Site | RFV | Tallest Stem |
Middle Inlet | 255 | 17 |
Beaver | 252 | 19 |
Grover | 225 | 22 |
Lena North | 217 | 22 – One stem with visible buds |
Stiles Junction | 227 | 21 |
Chase | 217 | 21 |
Angelica | 217 | 21 |
Caroline | 222 | 20 – One stem with visible buds |
Bowler A | 237 | 18 |
Bowler B | 250 | 18 |
Phlox | 242 | 16 |