You may be familiar with the phrase, “if you don’t test, it’s just a guess.” This applies directly to hay quality. The only way to know the exact nutrient content of hay is to conduct a test. A forage analysis is a relatively inexpensive way to ensure hay quality and develop a subsequent supplementation strategy, which in the long run can save money on your feeding program. While a test is the only sure way to know the nutrient content of a forage, there are some visual indicators of hay quality as well. These are not to be relied on as true “measures” of nutrient content, but may provide some clues as to what “good” hay might look like and whether your cattle will benefit from eating it.
Why is all of this important in the first place? Matching hay nutrient content to the nutritional needs of cattle can be helpful in ensuring the most effective and economical supplementation strategy from a nutritional value standpoint. You know what they say about assuming… don’t guess, test!
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