PEAQ Forages Monitor

Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality (PEAQ) Stick monitoring is conducted by the UW-Madison Division of Extension Crops & Soils and Dairy Educators of Grant, Green, Iowa, and Lafayette counties. 

PEAQ is a method developed by the University of Wisconsin to provide an estimate of the relative feed value of first cutting alfalfa based on crop height and maturity.  Our goal is that this information will help forage producers and agronomy professionals track the growth and development of alfalfa in their area so they know when to check their own fields to target their preferred quality while maximizing tonnage.

Samples from participating farms will be collected on Mondays and Thursdays with results posted online Tuesdays and Fridays during the month of May.

For more information, contact Jordyn Sattler, Crops and Soils Educator at jordyn.sattler@wisc.edu or the Green County Extension Office at 608-328-9440.

Managing Alfalfa Insect Regional Survey

Alfalfa weevil has become a significant spring pest for alfalfa growers across the Midwest in recent years. Alfalfa weevil feeding on leaves can reduce hay yield and quality, leading to economic losses. There have been reports of a resurgence in alfalfa weevil populations across the Midwest, with damage being more severe and widespread than in previous years.

If you are an alfalfa grower in Wisconsin, we want to hear about your experiences managing alfalfa weevil and what adaptations are needed as the dynamics of this pest change.

2026 PEAQ Results

CountySample DateLocationPlant HeightMaturityPEAQ RFVLab RFVRFQ
GRANT5/4/2026Dickeyville, WI18″Vegetative224224251
5/7/2026Dickeyville, WI19″Vegetative217
5/11/2026Dickeyville, WI21″Vegetative205
5/14/2026Dickeyville, WI24″Early bud
5/18/2026Dickeyville, WI26″Early bud172201.6210.34
5/21/2026Dickeyville, WI27″Early bud168
5/26/2026Dickeyville, WI(cut)
5/4/2026Stitzer, WI14″Vegetative245228255
5/7/2026Stitzer, WI15.5″Vegetative240
5/11/2026Stitzer, WI16″Vegetative237217.69235.91
5/14/2026Stitzer, WI19″Vegetative
5/18/2026Stitzer, WI22″Vegetative200208.68212.98
5/21/2026Stitzer, WI23″Early bud185
5/26/2026Stitzer, WI(cut)
GREEN5/4/2026Brodhead, WI16″Vegetative237220237
5/7/2026Brodhead, WI17″Vegetative230
5/11/2026Brodhead, WI17″Vegetative230244.44245.44
5/14/2026Brodhead, WI17″Early bud
5/18/2026 Brodhead, WI(cut)
IOWA5/4/2026Highland, WI15″Vegetative252258293
5/7/2026Highland, WI16″Vegetative237
5/11/2026Highland, WI18″Vegetative224222.24250.67
5/14/2026Highland, WI 21″Vegetative
5/18/2026Highland, WI22″Early bud190213.29232.2
5/21/2026Highland, WI26″Early bud172
5/26/2026Highland, WI(cut)
LAFAYETTE5/4/2026Mineral Point, WI15″Vegetative252224260
5/7/2026Mineral Point, WI16″Vegetative237
5/11/2026Mineral Point, Wi16″Vegetative227225.62253.09
5/14/2026Mineral Point, WI18″Vegetative
5/18/2026Mineral Point, WI22″Early bud190202.46213.86
5/21/2026 Mineral Point, WI(cut)
Thank you to our cooperating farms!

2025 PEAQ Results

CountyFarm NameLocationSample DateHeight / MaturityPEAQ RFVLab RFVRFQ
GRANTVosberg Colonial AcresCuba City, WI 5/5/202517″ / vegetative230
Vosberg Colonial AcresCuba City, WI5/8/202521″ / vegetative205
Vosberg Colonial AcresCuba City, WI5/12/2025 (cut)27″ / early bud167.5210.36255.64
Moris FarmsFennimore, WI 5/5/202516″ / vegetative237
Moris FarmsFennimore, WI 5/8/202520″ / vegetative211
Moris FarmsFennimore, WI5/12/202525″ / vegetative185216.62263.57
Moris FarmsFennimore, WI5/15/202529″ / bud159
Moris FarmsFennimore, WI5/19/202532″ / bud148186213
Moris FarmsFennimore, WI5/22/202533″ / bud146
Moris FarmsFennimore, WI5/27/202533″ / bud146164.28185.24
Moris FarmsFennimore, WI5/29/202536″ / bud135
GREENJuda FarmJuda, WI 5/5/202515″ / vegetative
Juda FarmJuda, WI 5/8/202519″ / vegetative216
Juda FarmJuda, WI 5/12/202524″ / vegetative189207.2228.61
Juda FarmJuda, WI5/15/202529″ / bud159
Juda FarmJuda, WI5/19/202532″ / bud148173190
Juda FarmJuda, WI5/22/202533″ / bud146
Juda FarmJuda, WI5/27/202535″ / bud139168.41160.62
Juda FarmJuda, WI5/29/202537″ / bud132
IOWADolan FarmsDodgeville, WI 5/5/202517″ / vegetative230
Dolan FarmsDodgeville, WI 5/8/202520″ / vegetative211
Dolan FarmsDodgeville, WI 5/12/202526″ / early bud172211.21256
Dolan FarmsDodgeville, WI5/15/202529″ / bud159
Dolan FarmsDodgeville, WI5/16/2025 (cut)
LAFAYETTEMartin FarmsCalamine, WI5/5/202515″ / vegetative
Martin FarmsCalamine, WI5/8/202520″ / vegetative211
Martin FarmsCalamine, WI5/12/202526″ / early bud172152.7152
Martin FarmsCalamine, WI5/15/202529″ / bud159
Martin FarmsCalamine, WI5/18/2025 (cut)
Thank you to our cooperating farms!