The Pros and Cons of PEAQ

The Pros of PEAQ

• Simple, fast, and inexpensive
• Robust across a wide range of environments
• Performs well over all growth cycles during a season
• Real-time so no waiting for results

The Cons of PEAQ

• Results are highly dependent on good sampling technique
• Equation is calibrated for only pure alfalfa stands
• Does not work well with fields that have poor alfalfa stands or alfalfa suffering from waterlogging stress
• Does not provide reliable estimates of NDF in alfalfa stands that are less than 16" or over 40" tall

See a complete report from the University of Wisconson, "Update on Predicting Harvest Time for Alfalfa" - Paper by M. Sulc, K. Albrecht, et al.