Interpreting Soil Tests is a program being offered by the Northeastern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy. Specialists from the University of Delaware, Rutgers University, Penn State and the University of Maine will be leading the discussions. There is no charge for the workshop. This program offers 4.0 CEUs in Soil Fertility. The unusually cool weather this spring has reduced 1st cut forage yields and delayed development.
Early reports indicate that alfalfa yields are slightly lower than normal.
However, with adequate soil moisture and some warmer temperatures you can expect 2nd harvest yields to be greater than normal. Alfalfa flowering has been as much as two weeks later this spring than in normal years. Unfortunately, alfalfa quality has been declining even though it hasn't flowered. This year was one in which the first alfalfa harvest should have been made based on a calendar date rather than plant development. Yield of cool-season grasses are also lower this year than in a normal year.