Forage Quality

Forage QualityKnowing when to start first cutting haycrop can be a challenge. Harvest can not be tied to a particular calendar date but instead is dependent on heat and soil moisture. Alfalfa height has proven to be the best indicator of alfalfa and grass quality in the field and can give producers a heads up as to when to harvest.

To give producers some idea of when to start harvesting first cutting, the CNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team staff measures alfalfa height on over 55 fields across the eight counties. Those locations were chosen to reflect the diversity of heat, elevation, and soil moisture found in our area.



FORAGE QUALITY CATEGORIES




1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 16, 2023

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 17, 2023

This is our fourth and final week of 1st cutting quality in 2023.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 8, 2023

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 9, 2023

This is our third week of 1st cutting quality in 2023.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ April 26, 2023

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 5, 2023

This is our 1st forage quality update for the week of April 26, 2023


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 3, 2023

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 5, 2023

This is our second week of 1st cutting quality in 2023.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 24, 2022

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 25, 2022

This is our fourth and final week of monitoring 1st cutting for quality in 2022.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 17, 2022

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 18, 2022

This is our third week of monitoring 1st cutting for quality in 2022. If you are not familiar with our procedures, we use alfalfa height to predict Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) for alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mixed and grass stands.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 10, 2022

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 11, 2022

This is second week of monitoring 1st cutting quality in 2022.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 3, 2022

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 5, 2022

This is our 1st forage quality update for the week of May 3, 2022.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 24, 2021

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 26, 2021

This is our fifth and last week of monitoring 1st cutting for quality in 2021.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 17, 2021

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 18, 2021

This is our fourth week of monitoring 1st cutting for quality in 2021.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 10, 2021

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 12, 2021

This is our third week of monitoring 1st cutting for quality in 2021.


1st Cutting Forage Quality Update ~ May 3, 2021

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 5, 2021

This is our second week of monitoring 1st cutting for quality in 2021.






more content - left
Dairy

Dairy

Livestock

Livestock

Forages

Forages

Grains

Grains

more content - right
view calendar of events

Upcoming Events

*CANCELLED* Artificial Insemination Training Course ~ Spanish

June 12 - June 13, 2023
Little Falls, NY

*CANCELLED* Two-day course.  Lunch included.  The course will have classroom and practical components.  Registration limited to 12 Spanish speaking individuals.  AI tool kits also available for an additional cost.

Ardent Mills Tour and Marketing Local Grains

June 23, 2023
Albany, NY

An education and networking opportunity for conventional & organic grain growers, organic grain buyers and ag professionals.

Announcements

Dave Balbian is Retiring

I have decided that it's time to retire. I find myself at a point in time where I'm now beginning to work with the 3rd generation of people on the farms in our region. It's time to bring in some new young blood into the team. June 28th will be my last official day on the job. I've enjoyed working with you all. The real satisfaction I've had with my work has been seeing producers take my advice and then be successful with it as they moved their business and family forward. 



Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula, or Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), is an invasive plant hopper from Asia and is an agricultural pest. In the United States, it was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted Lanternfly has been found in New York State on Staten Island, all New York City boroughs, Long Island, Port Jervis, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Ithaca, Binghamton, Middletown, Newburgh, Highland, and the Buffalo area. SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, and is also a nuisance pest. The nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants, but is especially detrimental to grapes, a black walnut, hops, maple trees and apples. New York State Ag and Markets supported CCE efforts to help bring awareness to communities and we developed this Public Service Announcement and would appreciate you sharing it with your member lists. 



Sign Up for Our Weekly E-Newsletter

We send out a bi-weekly e-newsletter that has announcements, upcoming programs, and opportunities for you!  Registration is quick, easy, and free.  Click here to sign up today!

CCE Livestock Program Work Team

See the Livestock Program Work Team website for news, upcoming programs, and NYS Slaughterhouse Map.