Fall Forage Management Impacts Next Year’s Yield

By Blake Jackson

Farmers facing limited supplies of stored forage may need to make careful decisions about managing hayfields late in the growing season.

According to Penn State Extension, unfavorable weather during spring and summer can delay fieldwork and reduce forage production, leaving producers to decide whether a late-fall cutting is worthwhile or whether the crop should remain standing.

Protecting Grass Stands

Fall management can have a major effect on the survival and productivity of perennial forage stands. When considering a final harvest, producers should evaluate the amount of standing forage and how late it is in the season.

Grass fields with substantial regrowth may benefit from mowing, but the timing and cutting height are critical.

Cool-season grasses store energy reserves close to the soil surface. Removing too much plant material late in the fall can reduce those reserves, weaken crowns and buds, and limit production the following spring.

Penn State Extension recommends maintaining appropriate residual heights based on grass species. Tall grasses generally need about 4 to 5 inches of remaining growth, while Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass can tolerate approximately 2 to 3 inches. Orchardgrass should generally remain at least 3 to 4 inches tall.

Producers should also avoid applying nitrogen following the final harvest. Late-season nitrogen can increase environmental losses and may interfere with winter survival in some grasses.

Consider Disease and Drying Conditions

Disease history is another factor when deciding whether to leave forage standing. Certain fungal pathogens can survive in plant residue and potentially affect next year's crop. Fields affected by rust diseases or orchardgrass brown stripe deserve particular attention.

Weather can also make late-season haymaking difficult. Shorter days, cool temperatures, dew, and rainfall slow drying and can reduce forage quality. Turning or tedding windrows may improve drying, particularly when moisture remains near the soil surface.

For alfalfa and red clover, approved drying agents and properly used preservatives can provide additional harvest flexibility. Grass hay responds differently, and drying agents have not demonstrated the same benefit.

Consider Silage or Grazing

When baling conditions are unfavorable, ensiling may be a practical alternative. Properly wilted and stored grass or alfalfa can produce quality silage while reducing exposure to weather-related losses. Successful ensiling depends on appropriate moisture, packing, and oxygen exclusion.

Another option is to stockpile the forage for grazing. Livestock can harvest the crop directly, reducing machinery, labor, and haymaking expenses. Producers choosing this approach should use controlled strip grazing to manage utilization and protect the stand.

Ultimately, Penn State Extension recommends evaluating forage quantity, plant health, cutting height, weather, and livestock needs before making the final fall-management decision.

FAQs

• Should producers mow hayfields in late fall?

The decision depends on forage quantity, timing, plant health, and the required residual height.

• Why is residual height important?

Leaving enough plant material protects stored energy reserves and supports winter survival and spring growth.

• What happens if grass is cut too short in fall?

Excessive late-season removal can weaken the stand and reduce yields the following spring.

• Can wet fall forage be made into silage?

Yes, properly wilted and stored forage can be preserved as silage when suitable moisture and packing conditions are achieved.

• Can a hayfield be grazed instead of harvested?

Yes, stockpiling forage for controlled grazing can reduce harvesting costs and extend the grazing season.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-ianchrisgraham