Afternoon harvesting

Some recent research suggest afternoon harvesting to obtain higher sugar content.  There may be something to it in very arid climates where drying is rapid and continues into the evening.  In the Midwest and East it is best to harvest in the morning and hope it dries enough so respiration will cease before dark. If respiration does not cease by dark, it likely will continue all night and into early morning hours, insuring all sugar will be use in respiration.

Sugars are only produced during each day, so they can not contribute much to Total Digestible Nutrients in the forage.  It may be more meaningful to grazing livestock as there is no curing (respiration), sugars may contribute to intake.