Forages in a Drought (7/28/21)

Today is July 28, 2021, and earlier this morning we recorded another episode of the Strategic Farming: Field Notes program.  The Field Notes program is a weekly update on the current crop situation and crop management considerations. Today’s session was moderated by U of MN Extension Crops Educators David Nicolai and Jared Goplen.  The special guests featured Dr. Craig Sheaffer, University of Minnesota Forage Agronomist, Nathan Drewitz, Extension Educator in Stearns, Benton, and Morrison counties, and Troy Salzer, Extension Educator in St. Louis County. The drought conditions in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest have continued to worsen. Crops are drying up, which has many concerned about the tightening forage supplies. Today’s episode discussed forage establishment, early corn silage harvest, utilizing alternative crops as forages, utilizing CRP hay, as well as how drought conditions affect forage yield and quality.