We’ve posted a new 1st Cutting Alfalfa-Grass Quality Report for the week of May 26th. Click here to read it. Alfalfa growth jumped ahead 8″ with warmer temperatures this past week, but is still well behind 2018 and 2019 averages. Alfalfa averaged 18″ across NNY this week, compared with about 27″ in 2018 and 21″ in 2019. According to the graph above, fields with 60-70% grass or more are at peak quality early this week and are now on the decline.
Many of the earlier-heading grasses are headed now – and are declining in quality. A few or the later-heading grasses are very close to heading.
It’s too late to apply N to grass fields. At this point, urea or manure should go on after first cutting.
Watch 50-50 alfalfa-grass fields closely for signs of maturity and developing quality. Our lack of GDD has not slowed grass maturity but has only reduced stem and leaf growth and yield. Grass quality at late boot is likely to be better than a normal year at late boot because of the slow accumulation of GDD this spring.
Check out the report for some additional tidbits and let us know if we can help with forage management, or any other topics. Be well and safe and rely on CCE for all sorts of information and assistance during this stressful time. We are available via email, web, YouTube, blog, and USPS mail as normal.