This time of year is busy for farmers across Illinois, with crop producers fighting against time and weather to get their crops in the ground for a successful growing season. Some farmers are also preparing to start cutting alfalfa and other forages. As Central Illinois producers begin their first cutting of the season, timing becomes a critical factor in determining both yield and forage quality. The first cutting sets the tone for the rest of the year, and making the right decisions now can pay dividends in livestock performance and overall profitability. While weather conditions and field variability can complicate the process, understanding the ideal growth stage for cutting can help producers strike the right balance. This two-part blog series will explore essential concepts for forage producers preparing for the first cutting. Part one will discuss forage production in Illinois, assessing forage quality, and the importance of setting a cutting schedule.
Illinois is renowned for its crop production, often leading the country in corn and soybean production, and some counties have the highest yields in the entire United States. However, Illinois’ fertile soils are also excellent for growing alfalfa and other forage crops. While forages may not be the main crop grown in Illinois, their importance cannot be understated for livestock producers in Illinois. But how much hay does Illinois produce? The United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that, in 2024, a total of 445,000 acres were used for hay production in Illinois, 260,000 acres were in alfalfa, and 185,000 acres were in other hay. Approximately 1.475 million tons of hay were produced, 975,000 tons were alfalfa, and 500,000 tons were other hay. The state average yield for alfalfa hay was 3.75 tons per acre. The counties with the highest average yields were Marion (6.15 tons per acre), Douglas and Kendall (5.55 tons per acre), Greene (5.50 tons per acre), and Clinton (5.35 tons per acre). The state average yield for other hay types was 2.7 tons per acre. The counties with the highest average yields were St. Clair (4.85 tons per acre), McLean (4.75 tons per acre), Mason (4.4 tons per acre), McHenry (3.95 tons per acre), and Sangamon (3.55 tons per acre).
One of the important factors when considering whether to cut any forage is the quality and nutritional value it will offer. Animals need different nutrients based on different factors such as age and production purpose. A beef cow that just had a calf will have different nutrient requirements than a dry dairy cow or a steer ready for market. Matching forage quality with animal needs will improve animal performance. One method to assess the quality of alfalfa and other forages is the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) index. RFQ was an improvement to the Relative Forage Value (RFV) index and is calculated using Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) and Dry Matter Intake (DMI). TDN measures the digestible energy in a forage, and DMI is the amount of feed an animal eats, not including water and other liquids. RFQ should not be used to come up with a feed ration for an animal; instead, it should be used to determine if the forage will provide sufficient nutrients to an animal.
When a forage is cut, it significantly impacts the quality of the forage and its nutritional value. When cutting alfalfa, the forage quality is greater in early vegetative stages before the first flower. In these early stages, the weight of the leaves is greater than the stems. Once the plant reaches the flowering stage, the stems become heavier than the leaves. While cutting alfalfa at later growing stages may lead to higher yields, the forage quality will not be as high. Alfalfa grown in cooler temperatures also tends to have higher forage quality than alfalfa grown in warmer temperatures. Even the time of day when the forage is cut can impact forage quality. Plants go through a process of respiration, and cutting forages after this occurs can lower forage quality. That is why cutting alfalfa and other forages early in the day in the Eastern parts of the United States is generally recommended. Forages grown in more arid regions can be cut later in the day.
Determining when to cut forages can vary depending on the goal of a producer. Understanding forage quality can help determine a cutting schedule for alfalfa or other forages. Setting a schedule includes determining the number of cuttings, the date when cuttings should occur, the maturity of the plant, the time between cuts, and the height at which the plants should be cut. Other considerations when setting a cutting schedule include the persistence of the stand and the overall yield per cutting.
Let’s consider three different cutting intervals for alfalfa: every 20 days, 28 days, and 35 days.
- At every 20 days, forage quality would be at its peak, but the yield would be lower, and the chance the plant would survive the winter would be worse.
- At every 28 days, the forage quality would still be considered excellent, and the yields and winter survivability would be improved.
- At every 35 days, the yields and winter survivability would be excellent, but the forage quality would be moderate.
This post is the first in a two-part series on preparing for the first cutting of alfalfa and other forages. This post explored how much hay was produced in Illinois in 2024, Relative Forage Quality (RFQ), how it is calculated, and the importance of setting a cutting schedule. The second part of this series will discuss insect and weed management options, and other important topics to consider before cutting. Hay production may not be the highlight of Illinois agriculture, but it is extremely important for livestock producers across the state. Our fertile soils and favorable weather conditions offer the best opportunities for hay producers to produce the best forages possible.
For additional information, visit the following links:
- Forage Quality Interpretations (Oklahoma State University Extension, 2017)
- Relative Forage Quality (USDA-NRCS, 2004)
- Illinois Hay County Estimates (USDA-NASS, 2025)