The value of collecting hay samples and utilizing the results
It’s that time of year when producers are getting their hay cut, baled and stored. While hay season is in full swing it’s as good of time as any to think about getting hay samples collected and tested. Hay sample results can help producers make decisions to adequately meet all the nutritional requirements of their herd.
Knowing Nutritive Value
During the winter months, hay serves as the primary component in the ration for most cow herds. In some cases, hay makes up 80 to 90 percent of the winter ration, in others as much as 100 percent.
Livestock extension specialists say it is of the utmost importance for producers to know the nutritional components in the hay they are feeding. “Without knowing the nutritive value of that primary part of the ration, supplementing feed economically becomes a bit of a shot in the dark to meet that cow’s requirements,” Brad Runsick, Baxter County, Ark., extension agent, said. “Meeting the cow’s need is critical to being profitable and a cattle operation being sustainable long term.”
Connection to Conception Rates
Research indicates there is a direct line from hay quality to conception rates, particularly in fall calving cows. “If body condition suffers in those first two to three months post calving, when her nutrition needs are the highest, the likelihood she’ll get bred diminishes or the time it takes for her to breed back starts to increase,” Runsick stated.
Runsick refers to published research that indicates when all other things are equal and adequate, cows with a body condition score (BCS) of a 5 to 6 will conceive at a rate of approximately 90 percent. However, if a cow’s BCS dips below a 4, the rate at which she will conceive falls to less than 60 percent.
Runsick also states research points to similar findings for spring calvers. For example, a study concluded if a cow has a BCS of a 5 or 6 she will come into heat within 90 days of calving. But if her BCS drops and is a 4 at calving because of poor quality hay and inaccurate rationing, her chance of her coming into heat within 90 days is less than 70 percent.
“If we’re trying to stay on a 12-month calving interval, the cows must be bred within 80 days of calving,” Runsick said. “If it goes longer, that calving season starts to shift, the calving season gets spread out making it tougher to manage animals as a like group, and bull maintenance goes up.”
Collecting Hay Samples
Hay samples should be collected with a hay probe. Grab samples do not prove to be an accurate sampling method. In most areas, county extension agents will come and collect the hay samples. Producers can also collect samples on their own, and many extension offices have hay probes producers can use.
If hay is stored under cover, it can be sampled any time. But it is easier to sample the bales in the field before they are stacked and stored.
If the bales are left in the elements the forage quality will change and should be sampled closer to when they will be fed. “If at all possible, don’t leave your investment out in the elements. When you start to measure the losses, it becomes evident Ωone could pay for a hay barn pretty quickly,” Runsick stated. Even pallets to get the bales off the ground and tarps to protect the hay from the weather will help preserve hay quality.
“We spend a tremendous amount of money making, storing and feeding a hay bale,” Runsick said. “It plays a huge role in our bottom line, both from an expense standpoint and as a major contributor to the number of calves on the ground.”
