Managing for Profit

Cold spring means lower quality forage

A cool late spring has translated to challenges for hay and forage supplies.  The weather has caused hesitation to the greening up of forage in fields putting pressure on already short supplies of livestock feed.  Warm temperatures have taken a while.  Craig Roberts at the University of Missouri tells Brownfield regrowth of forage has been stymied.

“What we’re really seeing is the effect of a long cold winter and a long cold early spring on our forage green-up,” Roberts told Brownfield Ag News.

In most years, Roberts says the onset of warm temperatures results in grass resuming growth, but because the warmth was delayed this year.

“As soon as it starts growing it’s going to put a seed head,” said Roberts, adding that that results in lower quality hay.

AUDIO: Craig Roberts (3 min. MP3)