Break Dormancy: March 20 – April 1
First Cutting: May 20 – June 1
Second Cutting: June 20 – July 1
Third Cutting: July 20 – August 1
Fourth Cutting: September 1 – September 10
Harvest: 3 to 4 cuttings per year. Alfalfa is cut at 10% bloom. It is put into windrows for 3-5 days. Windrows are rolled over and dried for 1-3 more days. Three different types of bales are produced in the Columbia Basin; small 2 or 3 twine bales, 1-ton square bales, and 1 ton round bales. Baling occurs at 16-18% moisture for small bales and 10-13% for big bales.
Planting: Alfalfa is Fall seeded in September. A stand of Alfalfa is left in for 3 to 4 years.