Personally, I'd cut at least part of it, since you have
the chance, and save it for winter feed. But if you do, do it NOW because
you want the best nutritional content you can get, and you're just passing that
now. (Ideally, you'd cut just pre-bloom.)
Also, you are in Montana, so your alfalfa is likely not as
"hot" as that grown in areas like southern CA.
Eventually, your alfalfa will "wear out" anyway and you'll
get more grass.
Would like some thoughts about and alfalfa pasture. I recently
purchased 4 acres, put a house on it, and fenced it for two horses. I
have a dry corral also. The pasture is mainly alfalfa. I have been
tossing out dry land pasture mix in it hoping that the horses will walk it
into the ground and that eventually I will have some grass growing. But
I don't expect to really see much grass until next year. I would
eventually like to see more grass than alfalfa. Right now funds are
limited since I just bought the place so really can't afford to do much more
than what I have done. Also I have the means to place a large sprinkler
here and there but really can't irrigate the whole area.
I turn my horses out on the pasture for various amounts of time.
But they are never on it 24/7. I might turn them out all night, but
bring them into the corral for the rest of the day, or they may be in the
corral all night, then turn them out in the morning until lunch time. So
rotate them around. Every once in a while depending on my schedule I
toss them some dry hay instead of turning them out.
The alfalfa is just now starting to flower. There is a farmer
available that could cut my field if I wanted to I guess or even just cut 1/2
of it. Guess I am just wondering what would happen to the alfalfa if I
just continue grazing like I am. Will it just grow out of control and
reach a point where it is too stemmy for the horses to eat. I realize
that straight alfalfa is a hot feed for a horse which is why I don't leave
them out on it all the time. They seem to be doing well on it at this
point. I'm having trouble formulating a question here, but guess I am
just wondering what might be a good course of action at this point or if what
I am doing sounds like it is working OK and just leave well enough
alone. I have about 5 T of grass/alfalfa hay that I purchased last fall
and they way things are going I am thinking I might not need to buy more hay
this year if I just continue to graze like I am doing.
