Table 2. Dry matter yield and nutritive value for alfalfa grown in 2016 and 2017 as determined by variety and harvest schedule treatment

Treatment DM (Mg ha−1) CP (g kg−1) ADF (g kg−1) NDF (g kg−1) RFV
2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017
Variety
 Gunner 11.4 9.7 148 160 382 363 473a 462a 118 124
 Hi-Gest 360 10.8 9.5 157 172 371 354 461b 446b 123 127
 LSD 0.9 1.7 24 29 12 16 12 13 5 4
Harvest schedule
 1. HQ + HQ + MQ + HY 11.6a 10.7a 151 173 361b 358 445b 444b 129a 125ab
 2. HQ + HY + MQ + HY 11.7a 10.1ab 153 166 364b 363 448b 460a 128a 128a
 3. MQ + HQ + MQ + HY 10.8b 9.7bc 146 166 394a 358 482a 454ab 113d 122b
 4. MQ + HY + MQ + HY 11.1ab 8.5d 154 163 395a 357 481a 454ab 113cd 126ab
 5. HY + HQ + MQ + HY 10.5b 9.0cd 155 166 373b 359 469a 457ab 120b 123ab
 6. HY + HY + MQ + HY 11.0ab 9.4bcd 155 160 372b 356 475a 455ab 118bc 129a
 LSD 0.8 0.9 12 12 13 17 16 14 7 6
Means significantly different at the 95% level of confidence.
DM, dry matter; CP, crude protein; ADF, acid detergent fiber; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; RFV, relative feed value; LSD, least significant difference; HQ, high quality; HY, high yield; MQ, medium quality.