In the Central Valley of California, there is new crop alfalfa hay that is ready to be cut, but growers are waiting because of rain that is forecast in the middle of this week. Growers say that some fields should have been cut a week ago. Consequently, some believe that hay quality tests will not be as high on first-cutting alfalfa because of the delay. Some have also questioned if there were enough days with freezing temperatures this winter, which plays a part in how strong hay quality tests are on early spring cuttings.
Due to harsh and prolonged winter weather in Washington, some believe first-cutting alfalfa hay in the Columbia Basin will also be delayed this spring. High temperatures have been in the 60s recently, and some growers have been able to finally spray alfalfa fields about 30 days later than normal. According to growers, many alfalfa fields are still brown, which is unusual for late March when most fields are green.
