Interpreting Scissors Cutting Results 2009:

 1) Set harvesting goals. Match forage quality to animal needs. We recommend that alfalfa forage quality be 150 RFV for milking dairy herds and 120 to 130 for heifers.

2) Make adjustments for field losses. Under the best of conditions 15% (points) of the dry matter will be lost during harvesting. Therefore it is necessary to cut a field at 165 to 170 RFV to end up with harvested forage of 150 RFV.

3) Make adjustment for total harvesting time. We have to begin even earlier to average 150 for all fields. For planning purposes we can use the average first cutting forage quality rate of change of 3 to 4 RFV per day. Thus, if it takes two weeks to harvest first cutting and we want to average 150 RFV, we must begin harvesting one week before RFV 170 (from #2). Seven days times 3 or 4 RFV change per day equals 21 to 28 points RFV. Harvesting for this farm should begin when the scissors clip results indicate standing forage quality is 191 to 198 (170 plus 21 or 28).

4) Make adjustments for local field conditions. The scissors clip results are generally for alfalfa forage quality.  This means that grassy fields will reach the stated forage quality earlier than pure alfalfa. Stands on lighter soils will tend to begin growing earlier and mature faster unless conditions are droughty. South slopes will also mature earlier than north slopes. Further, if you have planted some of the newer, high quality varieties, these should reach the desired forage quality two to three days later than standard varieties.

Source:  Minnesota Forage and Grassland Council and University of Minnesota Extension Service.

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