The effect of disease infestation is reduced plant size and lower yield. Alfalfa continues to develop quickly. Tonnage is up on most farms. Many farmers report that barns are full following second cutting. The wet weather has made baling very difficult.
Some farmers report that mold levels in baled hay are causing problems when hay is fed to livestock.
You might want to increase hay testing before feeding bales to your animals. I am also seeing some symptoms of phytopthera root rot in fairly young, well managed alfalfa fields. Farmers should look for yellow to white, wilted leaves in the field. This disease will thin out stands and may accelerate your need to rotate out of alfalfa. Soybeans are growing quickly.