A representative of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association says the second cut of hay in the southeast is turning out to be quite variable. John McGregor, who coordinates the Green Gold program, says while producers report the second cut is generally better than the first, it won't be enough to cover the shortage that many of them are facing.

"It's probably not 100% of what they would normally expect. We're hearing from guys who are happy with about 80%, but, on the other hand, we're seeing fellas who are getting only a 50% of a second cut. So I don't think it's going to fill that gap completely."

But McGregor adds that hay growers are optimistic about the third cut.

"They are seeing some nice regrowth coming in. We continue to get the rains, we are getting some warm weather, so they are very optimistic that their third cut is going to be fairly good."

McGregor says it will also be important that we get good rains this fall to bring soil moisture levels back to normal.

"If we can get our soil levels back up to 100%, it'll help the alfalfa next spring. This spring, we did see a lot of fields that were dry to start with and we saw some very low first cut yields."

McGregor notes it appears grain crops here in the southeast will have a lot of straw this year which will help producers supplement their feed stocks, if necessary.