August 2018 Forage Report

Southwestern:

• Regrowth on hay fields and pastures has been good in response to adequate rainfall.
• As of August 29, southwestern Ontario received above average rainfall for the month of August. Some areas of Lambton, Middlesex, Huron, and Bruce counties received over 200% of average precipitation.
• The critical fall harvest period for alfalfa will start during September in most of the southwest. This rest period improves winter survival and maintains yield potential of productive alfalfa stands. Alfalfa should not be harvested during the six-week period following the date shown on the map.
• Spring cereals being used as a double crop forage should be planted before the start of the critical fall harvest period.

Central and Eastern:

• Regrowth on hay fields and pastures has been good, in response to adequate rainfall.
• As of August 29, central Ontario received above average rainfall for the month of August. Most of eastern Ontario received average precipitation, although Leeds & Grenville, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, and Prescott & Russell had 60-85% of average rainfall.
• The critical fall harvest period for alfalfa began in late August, except for the north shore of Lake Ontario. This rest period improves winter survival and maintains yield potential of productive alfalfa stands. Alfalfa should not be harvested during the six-week period following the date shown on the map.
• Spring cereals being used as a double crop forage should be planted before the start of the critical fall harvest period.

Northeastern:

• Dry conditions meant that second cut yield was light. Areas that did not receive adequate rainfall in August may have been unable to take a second cut of hay this year. Pasture is tight, with many producers feeding stored forages.
• As of August 29, most of the region received above average rainfall in the month of August, except for Temiskaming (which had average amounts of precipitation), and Cochrane (60-85% of average) Districts.
• The critical fall harvest period (CFHP) for alfalfa began in mid-August. This rest period improves winter survival and maintains yield potential of productive alfalfa stands. Alfalfa should not be harvested during the six-week period following the date shown on the map.
• If additional forage is needed, cutting alfalfa six weeks or more after the start date of the CFHP will have less impact on next year’s crop than cutting in the middle of the CFHP.

Northwestern:

• Dry conditions meant that second cut yield was light. Areas that did not receive adequate rainfall in August may have been unable to take a second cut of hay this year. Pasture is tight, with many producers feeding stored forages.
• As of August 29, most of the region received below average rainfall in the month of August, with plenty of variability across the northwest.
• The critical fall harvest period for alfalfa began in mid-August. This rest period improves winter survival and maintains yield potential of productive alfalfa stands. Alfalfa should not be harvested during the six-week period following the date shown on the map.
• If additional forage is needed, cutting alfalfa six weeks or more after the start date of the CFHP will have less impact on next year’s crop than cutting in the middle of the CFHP.

Map showing percent of average precipitation in Ontario in August, 2018

Map of start dates for the critical fall harvest period of alfalfa in Ontario