Field Crop Update, August 29, 2024
Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist/Team Leader
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops
1. Field Observations and Weather Outlook
Not much to report from the field this week, other than this really being your last, best chance to harvest alfalfa before giving it a rest until mid-October to preserve root reserves and stand health through the winter. There is still time to plant cover crop mixes that include daikon (end of august) and/or red clover (through September).
The weather has cooled, which will slow corn dry-down. But some of our earliest-maturing acres may be ready for chopping as I type, or early next week.
So here's our final reminder that we will have a Dry Down Day event on Sept 3rd at Keystone Mills in Fort Plain (682 Fordsbush Rd) from 10-3. For more details, click here.
And here are some more resources shared by Joe Lawrence of Cornell PRO-DAIRY:
Crop season safety
Corn silage harvest timing: Not all growing degree days are created equal
Corn plant dry down
Corn silage harvest toolkit: 2023 edition
Corn silage 2019: Two different crops
Sampling for Moisture Content in Corn Silage Fields
Harvest & Storage Hoards Recap Article: Small details equal silage success
Reference presentation (video): Managing for Quality Silage: Bunk Silos and Piles
Managing forage in the face of more frequent extreme weather events
Penn State: Considerations in Managing Cutting Height of Corn Silage
Favoring Hight Cutting Height:
- Weather Conditions known to reduce Fiber Digestibility
- Abundant inventories
- Expectation of high yields
- Heavier Soil Types
- Lower Quality Hay Crop Silage
Favoring Lower Cutting Height:
- Low inventory
- Low Yield
- BMR Hybrids
- High quality Hay Crop Silage
- Fields intended for rotation
2. Growing Degree Days (GDD) (See: Climate Smart Farming Growing Degree Day Calculator)
The silking dates in section 2 begin July 14th, when I first saw tasseling in the region - so this does not mean that every crop in that particular area tasseled on that earliest date. Your crop may have tasseled on or more closely to one of the later dates. So:
While our GDD tables in section 2 can get you in the ballpark, check your own whole-plant DM to make sure you're ready, and not ahead/behind schedule!
Growing degree days (GDD) are calculated by taking the average daily temperature and subtracting the base temperature for development of a given organism ((High + Low)/2 - base temp = GDD). For corn silage, we are using base 50/86, as corn development starts at 50 degrees F and ceases above 86. Check your location and planting date.
Remember: Silage corn needs 750-800 GDD (depending on hybrid maturity) after silking to reach a whole plant DM of 32%. Under typical late season dry down conditions we can expect the crop to reach 35% DM four to seven days later. We can expect to accumulate 15-25 GDD per day, or even up to 30, so peak maturity can creep up on us quickly. But no matter what the numbers say, always check your crop to see how close you may be to harvest. For more details, see this article.

Blue: Time is make plans (35% DM anywhere between 5-11 days from now, depending on maturity).
Green: Gas up the havester and the trucks (35% DM in 2 - 8 days, depending on maturity).
Yellow: See you in the field (35% DM in less than a week).
Red: It's already in the bunk house or it's going for high-moisture corn or it's goin in the bin for grain (DM likely > 35 - 40%).

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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!Document and Share Storm Damage
Mother nature has really been difficult over the last few days. Significant damage has been seen throughout NYS. Please let us know what types of damage your farm may have sustained during this time. This could be in the form of property damage, lost power, milk dump due to lost power, loss of livestock, loss of stored feed or growing crops.Farms are encouraged to DOCUMENT AND SHARE any impacts the weather may have had on their home or business. This could include structure damage, crop loss, inventory loss due to power outages, damage to equipment or fencing, and more.
If your farm experienced any sort of damage, please reach out to any of the folks listed below (or all of them). The more impact information that is collected, the greater the likelihood of a disaster declaration which can bring vital emergency support and awareness. The CNYDLFC Team will continue to collect detail and submit to NYSDAM and the EDEN network.
Reporting Weather Related Impacts (For your home or farm business)
- First, ensure that all the people and animals on your farm are safe, and that there aren't any unsafe working conditions created because of the weather (check your structures!). If there's an emergency, call 911 - don't try to manage it all on your own.
- Second, document all negative weather impacts for your farm and their estimated financial cost. Take photos, make estimates, and put it all in a safe place.
- Reach out to your insurance providers - farm, vehicle, crop, etc. to initiate the claim process as needed.
- Then, share your farm's damage with any (or all) of the ag support agencies listed below. We all work together to collect storm damage information and funnel it up to Ag and Markets which can initiate a natural disaster declaration.
- Chenango: 607-334-5841
- Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-2135
- Herkimer: 315-866-7920
- Madison: 315-684-3001
- Otsego: 607-547-2536
- Schoharie: 518-234-4303
- Saratoga: 518-885-8995
- Erik Smith: 315-219-7786
- Daniela Gonzalez: 315-749-3486
- Ashley McFarland- 315-604-2156
Your county USDA/FSA service center.
- Chenango: 607-334-3231
- Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-4015
- Herkimer: 315-866-2520
- Madison:315-824-9076
- Otsego: 607-547-8131
- Schoharie: 518-295-8600
- Saratoga: 518-692-9940
Your county farm bureau manager
- Region 3: Bailey Coon: 518-937-0566
- Region 5: John Wagner: 315-761-9770
- Region 6: Natally Batiston: 518-937-0269
- Region 7: Todd Heyn: 518-431-9338
Please let us know how we can help you.
Cash Rent and Custom Harvest Survey
To date, there is limited information available about rental rates and fees for crop harvesting. Farms can use this valuable information for their farm business planning to help improve decision making and profitability.Farmers Can Join MeatSuite For Free!
MeatSuite.com is a free resource provided by Cornell University where NY meat farmers can create a farm profile and list their bulk (wholes, halves, quarters) and bundled (i.e. Grilling Bundle) meat products.Why should farmers join?
1. It's free and easy!
2. Connect with more local customers. In the past year the MeatSuite.com farm directory had 8,300 visits from New York consumers. Farm profiles get as many as 25 views per month from potential local customers. We also spotlight MeatSuite farms on social media and bring attention and purchases to farms through highlights and giveaways.
How do I join?
Farmers can visit https://www.meatsuite.com/farmers/ to create a free farm profile. You must list at least one product for your farm's profile to go live. You'll also have access to Cornell's free Meat Price Calculator, a helpful tool for pricing your meat to make a profit.
While you're on MeatSuite, check out the "Creating Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meats" publication on the log-in page. It has tips on how to create bulk meat products that are easier for first-time buyers to say "yes" to.
If you have any questions as you create your farm profile or products, we're here to help! Please email Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu.