Month: May 2017

By Genevieve Slocum and Tracy Neff Summer annuals have unique benefits, like filling a small space in the rotation with multiple cuttings of big yields. They also bring some unique challenges and considerations. Here’s what you need to know. Step 1 is waiting for warm soils. These crops are adapted to hot climates and won’t…

What a difference a month makes! This organic corn field in Trumansburg, NY was interseeded last July with a crimson clover and annual ryegrass cover crop. This was the field on April 15: Here’s the same field only a little more than a month later – May 24… The moral of the story? Give your…

By Paige Smart, Southeast AgriSeeds 80% of your success depends on the actions you take the day you plant. Set yourself up for success and read through these brief planting tips before getting that summer annual in the ground! BURN DOWN THE EXISTING STAND It can be very tempting to drill summer annuals straight into…

Cornell University Cooperative Extension Hay harvest has been in full swing this week and crops have continued to advance in maturity. Orchardgrass and bluegrass were in early heading stage and both grass and legumes grew rapidly. Grass fields have passed the target NDF and we recommend harvest of grass core acres as quickly as possible.…

From American Agriculturist, May 10, 2017 ‘Brown baggers’ more pain than gain Buying cheaper seed isn’t worth the aggravation that follows — especially if it’s illegal. That’s why state ag secretaries and commissioners warn against buying and selling “brown bag” seed almost every spring. If it’s not tested for purity and germination and doesn’t carry your state’s…

By Joe Lawrence, Cornell University First cutting can represent a significant portion of your total hay crop for the year and has the potential to be very high quality feed if harvested at the correct timing.  To help you monitor that timing there are tools available. Monitoring Programs Several Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) teams statewide…

“Corn” “Diversity” and even “innovative cropping systems” usually don’t go together in the same sentence. When used in a stockpiled winter grazing system, it turns out they occasionally can. Grazing standing corn is certainly not a new practice, but many farmers may not be sure of its fit within their operation. As with any other…