News

Forage harvests slow to pick up

Forage crops are turning about better than expected despite Michigan’s drought at the beginning of the growing season.

Michigan State University Extension forage educator Kim Cassida tells Brownfield silage harvest is a bit delayed.

“Corn was not good early on, but it has improved and it’s a little late in at least where I am in the state,” she shares.  “They should have started chopping this week or even last weekend, they’re still waiting for it to dry down enough. But it looks like it’s going to be a good harvest.”

She says hay fields also started the season too dry and now are too wet for many farmers.

“Now we have lots of growth and the problem is having a long enough dry interval to get it dry,” she says  “There are still some challenges in that regard up in the northern parts of the state, especially where I’m told that the hay supply is still a little tight up in the UP and northern Michigan.”

The latest USDA crop report says corn silage harvest in Michigan is about 10 percent behind last year and the five-year average.

Brownfield interviews Cassida on crop progress and triticale recommendations.