News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Experts say good weather and a good spring season has led to a great hay crop for the Upper Cumberland.
Warren County Agricultural Extension Agent Heath Nokes said that most farmers he has spoken with is either already harvesting or just about to harvest their hay.
“Turned up a little dry now, but we had a great spring and it looks like everybody’s going to have a great hay crop,” Nokes said. “Been yielded good, you know so we’re expecting a bumper crop this year.”
Nokes said the most important thing for farmers to do after harvest is proper storage. Nokes said that if farmers don’t store their crops in a dry location off the ground, they run the risk of losing up to 25 to 30 percent of their hay.
“Now with the ag extension program I know about everybody has built a barn,” Nokes said. “With all the help out there, you know there’s really no excuse to not be storing hay and properly stored hay–that can mean the difference between having enough to get you through the winter or not.”
Nokes also emphasized the importance of planning ahead when planting. Nokes said to do a good soil test, get good fertilizer, and try for plenty of moisture. Nokes said that late freezes in the season can impact the prosperity of the crop, as well as not properly caring for it.
“Fertilizer has a lot to do with it–if the price of fertilizer is high, which it is now, there is a tendency to cut back on that,” Nokes said. “That affects growth as well, you know all of that plays a role.”
As farmers are in the throes of harvesting season, Nokes said he asks the community to be cautious on roadways and conscientious of farmers with slow-moving traffic.
