This fact sheet was written by Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY Dairy Forage Systems Specialist Joe Lawrence and published in PRO-DAIRY e-Leader, a monthly e-Leader newsletter distributed to an email list of nearly 7,000 dairy producers, agriservice and legislators.
First cutting of a perennial hay crop offers the opportunity to capture high quantity and quality but timely harvest can be met with a number of obstacles. This fact sheet provides links to several currently available resources to aid in successful decision making for the upcoming season.
- Harvest safety
- Monitor fields to optimize first cut yield and quality
- Maintain quality through the harvest process
- Manage storage to minimize losses
