Farmers commonly report yields of 70 to 90 bushels for whole fields with test weights ranging from 48 to 60. Weather and scab are blamed for low test weights. Farmers with high scab levels should have wheat tested for germination if they plan to use bin-run seed for the 2001 crop. They should also consider treating seed to prevent scab-induced seedling blight. Alfalfa yields are up this year.
Many farmers report that barns and silos are nearly full following second cutting.
Many farmers forfeited first cutting by delaying harvest until late June or early July. These fields yield high tonnage however, the bottom 20 inches of this hay had no leaves. Quality will be low to moderate in this type of forage. An interesting observation in our study of using composted manure in alfalfa production shows no loss in yield from the practice and a dramatic reduction in potato leafhoppers. We aren t ready to explain why PLH populations dropped where composted manure was applied in June.