Alfalfa is known as the “Queen of Forages” given its importance to the Wisconsin dairy and livestock industry. Wisconsin harvests more than one million acres of alfalfa annually. While some of these transactions include weighing every load harvested to ensure fairness to both the buyer and the seller, there are many acres and individual cuttings where both parties agree to a fixed price per acre instead. As a result, they are relying on an estimated value per acre for the individual cutting or stand for the entire growing season. If we are going to purchase alfalfa without weighing it, we want to identify the steps that are needed to arrive at an estimated value that is fair to all parties involved.

Determining the Value of Standing Alfalfa in 2023 provides an in- depth assessment of how to estimate the expected dry matter (DM) yield, calculate the value of a ton of DM, and estimate the costs associated with harvesting the crop. Detailed information on these and additional factors to consider can be downloaded in the full document or contact your local UW-Madison Division of Extension Regional Crops Educator for assistance.