Hi everyone,

Alfalfa-grass stands have begun to reach and surpass peak quality this week. Alfalfa heights gained about 6”. Earlier heading grasses, such as native species and orchardgrass, are flowering in many fields. 90 to100% Grass fields are now at or above target NDF and are declining in quality. Mixed stands with 40-60% grass or more will be at or beyond peak quality within the next week.

It’s too late to fertilize grass hay fields with N for first cutting. Fertilize with N for 2nd cutting immediately after 1st cutting. Once grasses have reached later phases of vegetative growth, they will not respond to N well and the investment in fertility will not yield a good return.

Mike Baker, Cornell Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, says now is the time to mow grass fields for ideal forage for finishing beef cattle on an all-forage diet.

Check each of your grass fields to assess maturity – it will vary slightly from field to field and from grass species to species.

Click this link to this week’s report, hosted on our website NNY_Forage_Quality_Monitor.

For additional resources go to https://ncrat.cce.cornell.edu/topic.php?id=23#topbox

______________________________
Kitty O’Neil, PhD, CCA
Field Crops & Soils Specialist and Team Leader
Cornell University Cooperative Extension
North Country Regional Ag Team
Climate Smart Farming Team
Mobile 315 854 1218
Email kitty.oneil@cornell.edu