EASTERN Green Gold ReportJune 3rd
Hay Day now expected on June 8th.
SITE / RFV PEAQ / RFV NIR / Height / CPIDC East / 230 / 187 / 17 / 29
New Bothwell / 230 / 195 / 17 / 32
Grunthal / 230 / 188 / 18 / 30
Kleefeld / 216 / 175 / 17 / 27
LaBroqurie / 210 / 180 / 19 / 29
Beausejour S / 237 / 208 / 16 / 32
Beausejour N / 230 / 190 / 17 / 32
AVERAGE / 226 / 189 / 17 / 30
From Thursday to Monday we have seen the alfalfa grow about 2” and the RFV has only dropped 5 points. Looking at the MARFI weather information we can see that over the weekend the cool temperatures and frost have accounted for only 15 GDD to accumulate (normal’s should be in the 40-50 range).Most of the fields are still in the late vegetative stage except La Broq and the Kleefeld fieldswhich are in early bud. Presently we have accumulated approximately 227GDD.
The cool weather over the weekend has delayed Hay Day. If RFV’s start dropping at 4-5 points per day HAY DAY could be around the8thof June as an average for the Eastern area. Producers in the LaBroq area will be a couple of days earlier and those in the Bjour area maybe a couple of days later.
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What is Hay Day?
Hay Day is the estimated day that alfalfa will reach a RFV of 170. Past experience has shown that approximate 20 points are lost during the haying process and the time taken to get the entire crop cut, cured and baled. Silage shortens this process and therefore the quality can be higher. Grass/alfalfa mixes can and do reduce the RFV by 20-30 points depending on the % of the blend.
Nutritionalist like to target hay in the 135-150 RFV towards Dairy cows in the 1st trimester and towards dairy calves. The RFV hay from 125-140 is fed to the dairy cows in the last 200 days and heifers 12-18 months of age. Hay at 115-130 makes excellent Beef cow and heifer 12-18 month old feed and any from 100-115 is good for the Dry cow and heifer between 18 and 24 month.
Early Bud
Early bud stageis the stage when you can feel 1 or 2 of the buds at the tip of the plant.
Frost Monday AM
Not sure just how extensive the frost was here in the East but this is what I saw on Monday AM around 6:30. From the looks of it I not expecting to see any significant damage but when I do the clipping on Thursday I will have a better idea as to how serious the frost was on this field.