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First two hay crops in southern Minnesota surprisingly good

The first two hay crops in southern Minnesota are getting positive reviews.

Wayne Schoper with South Central College in Mankato says first crop alfalfa produced surprisingly good yields.

“High quality, without any rain or precipitation or delays. And the second crop went up in pretty good shape too. So quality is decent (but) we’re going to need more rain to finish that off and get a third and potentially fourth crop.”

He tells Brownfield a lot of good haylage, dry hay, and ditch hay is being put up this summer.

“And that’s an integral part of some rations out there too.”

He says forage prices for alfalfa and grass hay are trending higher because of concerns this year’s crop will be shorter than a year ago.

Schoper made these comments during Brownfield affiliate KNUJ’s quarterly Farm Forum program that aired earlier this month.