Optimizing alfalfa harvesting schedules

Teresa Crook<crookter@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - April 16, 2026

The Field Crops Virtual Breakfast on April 23 will feature optimizing alfalfa harvesting schedules with guest speaker Kim Cassida, MSU Extension forages and cover crops specialist.

Green alfalfa plants emerging from the ground. — Spring alfalfa stand in April. Photo by Kim Cassida, MSU Extension.

Join the Michigan State University Extension 2026 Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series on Thursday, April 23 featuring Kim Cassida, PhD, an expert in forages and cover crops with Michigan State University Extension. Cassida will explain the available tools for making critical spring management decisions for alfalfa and how those decisions can set the tone for the rest of the season. Harvest timing is the single most important management decision affecting alfalfa yield, forage quality and stand persistence. This decision requires consideration of alfalfa growth rates and weather in combination with forage quality targets.

Immediately following the alfalfa presentation, MSU Extension agricultural climatologist Jeff Andresen will give a weekly weather report.

The Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series sessions are held every week during the growing season via Zoom video or phone conference. These virtual meetings take place every Thursday morning from 7–8 a.m. March through September. The Virtual Breakfast Series is flexible, fluid and able to adapt when issues arise due to unforeseen growing conditions. There will be an open 20-minute Q&A session following the presentations with MSU specialists and educators. Participants are encouraged to log into the Zoom meeting 5 minutes prior to the start time for a tech check and to receive announcements.

Restricted use pesticide (RUP) credits and certified crop adviser (CCA) continuing education units are available for participants who attend the live session.

Participating is easy and free! You can join the live meeting via Zoom using a computer, tablet, mobile device or regular phone line. If you are new to Zoom, simply download the Zoom app and you will be ready to join online every week to see visuals shared by presenters. A call-in by phone option is also available but you will only hear the audio portion.

Sign up for the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series

Participants must sign up to receive an email notification with instructions for joining the Virtual Breakfast. You only need to do this once and you will receive the Zoom link and call-in phone number, as well as weekly reminders every Wednesday and Thursday. Participants receiving emails can opt in or out at any time.

If you cannot participate in the live session at 7 a.m., you can view the recorded version at any time. However, participants who attend the live session only will be eligible for RUP and CCA credits. Recordings will be closed-captioned and available at the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast webpage and the MSU Extension Field Crops Team social media platforms: Facebook, Spotify, Mediaspace, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Twitter/X.

If you are unable to sign up online, call the Montcalm County MSU Extension office at 989-831-7500.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).