HomeScissor Cut Results 5/2/2023

Scissor Cut Results 5/2/2023

The Countdown Begins

May 2, 2023

Graph showing that grass height is at the 20 year average for first week of MayWelcome to the first Scissors Cut sampling report for 2023.  We will be tracking hay growth and quality each week at 43 sites across our region on all sorts of fields at a range of elevations.  You should find several sites that are similar to your farm.

The charts below show grass and legume heights measured the first week of May from 2006 – 2023.  Grass and legumes are right at the average, so maybe this year will be “normal”, whatever that is.  Warm weather can push the hay fields to change quickly, so keep watch for next week’s results to make sure you are prepared.  Over the years grass fields have hit dairy quality target fiber content about May 16. Now is the time to get everything shined up and ready for go time.

The Table at the bottom has each sample location, listed by Town and elevation, and lists the species sampled, average height, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility (NDFD), and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN). We have sampled grass, legume and mixed legume/grass fields across the region and at elevations from 1070 to 2240 feet. Look for locations with similar forage type and elevation to your farm.

Graph showing legume height is at the 20 year average for the first week of MayWe will be reporting several measures of forage quality. Different types and groups of cattle have different demands and each measure tells a slightly different story. If harvesting for dairy forage, we suggest harvesting based on NDF, for beef choose and appropriate TDN target or the animals you will be feeding.

We will be reporting several measures of forage quality.  Different types and groups of cattle have different demands and each measure tells a slightly different story.  If harvesting for dairy forage, we suggest harvesting based on NDF, for beef choose and appropriate TDN target for the animals you will be feeding.
NDF – Neutral Detergent Fiber  is a measure of the structural fiber in a feed sample. NDF correlates well with how much forage a cow can eat (gut fill). Earlier cut hay = lower NDF = higher dry matter intake = higher performance.
NDFD – NDF Digestibility As forage plants mature, the fiber percentage increases, and at the same time the digestibility of the fiber decreases.  NDFD measures the digestibility of fiber by rumen fluid.  We report 24hr NDFD as an indicator of forage digestibility.  Higher digestibility = more energy available from a forage.
TDN – Total Digestible Nutrients The sum of the digestible fiber, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate components. TDN is a measure of energy available from forage and is related to digestible energy.  TDN is useful for beef cow rations that are primarily forage.  Higher TDN values indicate higher energy available, cattle groups with higher energy demands require higher TDN intakes.
Special thanks to Dairy One for providing the sample analysis

Delaware County Scissor Cuts Results May 32, 2023
Town Elev Species Ht aNDFom NDFD TDN
Andes 1505 Red Clover 11 27.7 58 72
Andes 1500 Mixed Grasses 10 39.3 79 67
Andes 1412 Orchardgrass 12 40.7 79 67
Andes 2240 Mixed Grasses 7 39.7 73 67
Andes 1960 RClov(35%)Grass 6/10 35.7 72 68
Colchester 1080 Alf(60%)Tfesc 14/13 34.9 64 67
Davenport 1285 Alfalfa 16 30.1 66 68
Delhi 1380 Mixed Grasses 10 47.1 73 67
Delhi 1340 Alfalfa 18 27.2 71 68
Delhi 1400 Clov(25%)Grass 7/13 42.9 77 67
Delhi 1610 Mixed Grasses 13 41.8 73 67
Delhi 1425 Orchardgrass 12 46.3 73 65
Franklin 1260 Alf(50%)Orch 11/17 35.9 76 67
Franklin 1650 Mixed Grasses 16 36.2 83 69
Franklin 1720 Mixed Grasses 11 43.3 78 68
Halcott 1730 Orchardgrass 15 43.3 76 67
Hamden 2100 Clov(50%)Grass 5/9 38.5 72 67
Hamden 1490 Mixed Grasses 6 39.3 75 69
Hardenburgh 1670 Orchardgrass 10 45.7 71 67
Kortright 2000 Tall Fescue 11 38.9 84 70
Kortright 1860 Orchardgrass 14 46.4 71 67
Meredith 2230 Orchardgrass 7 32.8 80 72
Meredith 2100 Orchardgrass 7 40 74 68
Meredith 1600 Tall Fescue 10 43.1 77 66
Middletown 2060 Orch/Rcanary 14 41.9 77 67
Middletown 2020 Reed Canarygrass 15 42.5 79 66
Neversink 1420 Tall Fescue 10 38.4 92 70
Neversink 1700 Mixed Grasses 4 42.1 74 67
Roxbury 1950 Mixed Grasses 11 43.9 75 69
Roxbury 1890 Orchardgrass 10 44 75 67
Roxbury 1980 Mixed Grasses 8 41.7 71 66
Roxbury 1830 Orchardgrass 15 42.5 75 66
Sidney 1070 Orchardgrass 14 40.2 76 70
Sidney 1070 Alfalfa 13 28.8 70 67
Stamford 1510 Orchardgrass 9 42.7 74 68
Stamford 1488 Alfalfa 10 29.7 69 67
Stamford 1560 Alf(40%)Orch 10/14 35.9 71 66
Stamford 1800 Mixed Grasses 9 42 69 69
Stamford 2080 Mixed Grasses 10 43 75 68
Tompkins 1210 Clov(25%)Grass 6/12 45.3 74 67
Tompkins 1235 Clov(35%)Grass 7/13 46.3 78 66
Walton 1170 Alf(40%)Orch 11/15 42.2 72 67
Walton 1240 Clov(30%)Grass 10/14 39.6 79 68
Av Grass Ht 9.5
Av Legume Ht 11.3

Thanks to Dairy One for providing sample analysis

forage quality goals for classes of cattle