An extension forage specialist says weather conditions in her state have benefited alfalfa.
Shelby Gruss with Iowa State University tells Brownfield June was unseasonably cool.
“Which a lot of our cool season grasses and our alfalfa, that’s like their prime growing conditions. And we’ve had good rains, so it’s been a good balance. Especially in Iowa.”
She says many growers are on their second crop.
“We finished up our first cutting, that went really smoothly, towards mid to end of May. A lot of people are on their second cutting or completed their second cutting the last couple weeks. So things have been progressing well.”
Gruss says recent extreme heat will stress forages and delayed regrowth is possible.
Iowa State is hosting ISU Hay Day July 13th and Gruss says topics include measuring pest pressure, evaluating stand productivity, and planting mistakes to avoid.
