Typically forage producers refer to the two establishment periods for forage crops as spring and fall. Actually the second period is mid-to- late summer, not fall.

Many forage growers actually prefer late summer seedings, primarily due to reduced insect and weed pressures.

Usually summer seedings of forages are in small grain stubble fields or in fields where a spring establishment has failed.

The length of cut of forages, whether it is haylage, corn silage or another forage crop, has an impact on the final forage quality in several ways.

The length of chop has an effect on packing in various storage types, which affects the fermentation. Also, there is the effect on fiber.