First Cutting Forage Quality: Better During a Cool Spring!

Seemingly, in a five-year span, no two springs are similar.  However, when slightly cooler and wet conditions in April and May persist, the normal rate of forage maturation slows, and forage quality decline will be slower than when the weather is warmer and/or drier.  Cool and wet also slows the rate at which many farmers are able to harvest their first cutting.  While delays due to inclement weather can be frustrating, there is solace in knowing that quality is not declining very rapidly due to delayed harvest.  Forage quality, on average, is related to forage maturity, and slower maturing forage simply declines in quality more slowly.  Slower maturation of the crop often does not result in lower yields when harvest occurs at a given stage of maturity, as tillering of many of our cool season grasses can continue unabated when cooler conditions persist. So, while quality declines can be slower when conditions are slightly cooler and soil moisture is plentiful, the amount of forage available for harvest by a certain date can be comparable to that available when the weather is warmer and/or drier.

Very cool temperatures and overcast skies during the spring can slow the rate of tiller formation and the rate of tiller reproductive development. This results in cool season grasses heading out at a shorter height than when temperatures are higher.  While forage quality is maintained, reduced rate of tiller formation, under prolonged cool and cloudy weather can result in lower yields than expected. This is simply due to less solar energy available for crop growth. Further, the cool and overcast conditions slows photosynthesis and rates of maturation, which results in shorter forage height. However, similar to when slightly cooler and wetter conditions persist, all the above can contribute to forage that is higher in quality than that normally realized from a first cutting. Not only do the cooler temperatures slow maturation and the rate of fiber deposition, but the respiratory consumption of cell solubles by the plant normally associated with warmer temperatures is reduced, further improving the forage quality. This comparative improvement is similar to the difference in quality of forages harvested during July and August compared with those grown during cool fall days and harvested from mid-October through end of November. Yields will be lower, but quality can be impressive!

Higher quality forages should enable the formulation of rations with reduced inputs of grains and other concentrates. Reducing feeding expenses during this time of challenging dairy and livestock farm economics should be helpful for the bottom line. There is another consideration for forage producers who market their forages: the improved quality of the product should make it more valuable to the buyer, and some increase in price would be justified. This would help to offset the loss of income due to reduced yields.