Les Vough

Hay Marketing Consultant

Maryland Department of Agriculture

and

Forage Crops Extension Specialist Emeritus

University of Maryland

What To Look For

In Evaluating Hay

Forage Quality

Generally means same thing as

feeding value.

Depends on the availability of the

nutrients consumed and the quantity

of forages voluntarily consumed.

Estimating Forage Quality Visually

Visual estimates of forage

quality are based on factors known to influence

feeding value and animal performance.

Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance

1. Stage of Maturity

2. Leafiness

3. Color

4. Odor and Condition

5. Foreign Material

Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance

1. Stage of Maturity

Stage of Maturity

Where greatest progress can be made on many farms.

Most important single factor affecting forage quality.

Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance

1. Stage of Maturity

2. Leafiness

Leaves

Most valuable part of hay

Contain 90% of protein

Leafiness

Can vary from 65-70% for very leafy alfalfa

hay to only 10-15% for very stemmy hay.

Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance

1. Stage of Maturity

2. Leafiness

3. Color

Color

Can be deceiving.

Humans emphasize it – animals colorblind.

If hay is off-color, what type of damage and

how extensive?

Color Indication of

Bright green Rapid & proper curing

Golden/yellow Sun-bleaching or

over-mature grass

Brown/black Rain damage

Brown/black Heat damage w/ musty odor

Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance

1. Stage of Maturity

2. Leafiness

3. Color

4. Odor and Condition

Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance

1. Stage of Maturity

2. Leafiness

3. Color

4. Odor and Condition

5. Foreign Material

Foreign Material

Non-injurious

(weeds, straw, cornstalks,

sticks, etc.)

Injurious

(poisonous plants, wire,

glass, etc.)

Score Sheet for Visually Evaluating Hay

Factor Possible Score

Stage of Maturity 30

Leafiness 20

Color 20

Odor and Condition 20

Foreign Material 10

Total 100

Forage Quality

Plays a key role in the productivity

and profitability of nearly every

livestock enterprise and thus forage

testing is an essential management

practice.

Combining visual inspection

and chemical analysis greatly improve the

accuracy of the predicted nutritive value

of hay.

Comparison of Chemical Analysis and Visual Inspection

Factor Chemical Visual

Maturity Good Fair

Leafiness Fair Good

Color Poor Good

Odor & Condition Poor Good

Foreign Material Poor Good

Forage Testing

Separate samples should be taken

for each cutting and each field as

quality will depend upon harvesting

dates, weather conditions, fertilization

practices and insect damage.

http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/PDFs/FS644.pdf

http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/ Publication.cfm?ID=110

The End ----

Questions?