Scout your hay fields to assess winter annual weed pressure
Joshua Putman, Field Crops and Forage Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Winter annual weeds emerge in the fall and set seed late spring or early summer. In hay production, certain winter annuals will invade older hay stands and may be competing with the crops resources. Such weeds include: marestail, field pennycress, henbit, and chickweed. Management options for these weeds may include chemical control with a spring applied herbicide and timely cutting intervals. Recently Field Crops Specialist, Josh Putman, has been out scouting fields for weed and insect problems in forage fields, wheat, and triticale. Many of the older hay stands seem to have a large number of winter annuals present. It is important to correctly identify these weeds as some can be more problematic than others. If identification or confirmation is needed, please contact Josh Putman at 716-490-5572 or at jap473@cornell.edu. For more information on spring weed control in hay stands, please follow the link here.
Upcoming Events
Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop - East Aurora
October 21, 2025 : Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop - East Aurora
East Aurora, NY
This workshop will explain why regularly testing fecal egg counts can help you with understanding your animals' parasite loads and dewormer resistance. Attendees have the opportunity to prepare and evaluate fresh fecal samples under the microscope and practice interpretations.
Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop - Jamestown
October 30, 2025 : Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop - Jamestown
Jamestown, NY
This workshop will explain why regularly testing fecal egg counts can help you with understanding your animals' parasite loads and dewormer resistance. Attendees have the opportunity to prepare and evaluate fresh fecal samples under the microscope and practice interpretations.
2025 Annual Cornell Sheep and Goat Symposium Day 1
October 31, 2025 : 2025 Annual Cornell Sheep and Goat Symposium Day 1
Join sheep and goat production experts for three days of informational lectures, hands-on experiences, and demonstrations around sheep and goat production and management. The symposium starts on Friday, October 31 and runs through Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Announcements
Herbicide Resistance Screening
We are screening weed species for herbicide resistance.Species we are looking for include, but aren't limited to:
- Tall Waterhemp
- Palmer Amaranth
- Marestail
- Redroot Pigweed
- Foxtails
- Common Lambsquarters
- Common Ragweed
Reach out to Katelyn Miller at 716-640-2047 or km753@cornell.edu for more information.