By Jennifer Whitlock
Field Editor
Winter weather is just around the corner, and it’s time to take stock of hay supplies for livestock.
That should include testing the hay, according to veterinarian Dr. Bob Judd.
When determining how much hay is needed for feeding this winter, a forage analysis is always a good idea, Judd said on the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network show, Texas Vet News.
Hay quality varies each year due to growing conditions, soil nutrition, stage of maturity at cutting and storage methods.
“Just because you had the hay tested from the same pasture last year does not mean the forage analysis will be the same [this year],” Judd said. “Because no two years are alike.”
Moisture, protein, energy and mineral content are tested to see if protein or mineral supplementation is necessary.
To gather an adequate sample to test hay quality, he advised collecting hay from different areas of the field. All the hay should be harvested within a 48-hour period and each lot should be uniform including types of plants, including any weeds, cutting date, field location and any disease or pest damage that’s present.
If there are major differences in the hay collected from the same field, Judd recommends submitting individual samples because hay content may be drastically different.
Baled hay should be sampled for curing with a core sampler or a hay probe. Judd noted the hay probe should penetrate the bale 12-18 inches and have an internal diameter of at least 3/8 of an inch.
Round bales should be analyzed by collecting a core sample from halfway up the curved side of the bale. Avoid collecting samples from the ends of the bale or close to the ground where decay or weathering may have occurred because the nutritive value will likely be incorrect.
In Texas, samples can be sent to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory in College Station. Crude protein, fiber, minerals and nitrate analysis are available.
The necessary form and lab mailing address can be found at any county Extension office. Forms, as well as sample submission guidelines, may also be accessed online at https://soiltesting.tamu.edu.