According to the most recent Drought Monitor much of New York remains abnormally dry, or in moderate to severe drought. There has been interest in planting annuals to provide extra forage for grazing. Most of these annuals need to be planted before August 15. Work with you local Extension staff to determine if sufficient soil moisture is present to reduce risk of seeding failure. I have posted two new resources at Drought Information page.
To provide more information the NNY Regional Ag Team is presenting a two part webinar series “Management of Forages Through a Season of Drought”.
Part 1: Pasture First Aid for Drought Recovery
Thursday, July 30th, 7-8pm
– A Livestock Perspective – Betsy Hodge Livestock Educator, CCE St. Lawrence
– Getting the Most out of the Rest of the Growing Season … and into 2021 – Kitty O’Neil Field, Crops and Forage Specialist, NCRAT
-Emergency Forage Planting Options for Late Fall & Early Spring – Joe Lawrence Dairy Forage, Systems Specialist, PRO-DAIRY
Part 2: Stored Forages: Winter Feed Supply Beyond the Drought|
Tuesday, August 4th, 7-8pm
-Managing the Remaining Growing Season (planting and harvest options) –Joe Lawrence
-Corn Silage – Getting the Most Out of Your Harvest in a Drought Year—Joe Lawrence
-Forage inventory Management: Assessing and Planning for Winter – Ron Kuck, Ag Program Educator, CCE Cayuga