Testing hay for a more accurate winter-feeding plan
One of the first steps for producers looking to maximize their hay feeding program and enhance livestock production is to determine the nutrient value of their hay. Though some producers are already feeding hay due to drought and other factors, it is never too late for producers to test their hay and make a feeding plan.
“In terms of hay testing the best time to do it was as it was getting kicked out of the baler. But the next best time is now,” Jonathan Kubesch, Ph.D., extension forage specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said.
Collecting Information: Determining the nutrient value of hay serves as the foundation for a producer’s hay feeding program. Once producers receive the results of their hay tests, then they can make a more accurate winter-feeding plan.
According to forage extension specialists with the University of Arkansas, guesstimating the nutritive value of hay from theoretical values or visual appraisal only, can cause missteps in feeding that can impact herd productivity. Feeding cattle with the wrong assumption about the nutritional composition of the hay can cause a reduction in animal performance and potential financial losses. Additionally, producers may be over-feeding or under-feeding some or all of their herd population.
“Whether you have a million bales or just one, knowing what you are feeding out is going to be critical. The moment we move away from pasture, and even when we are on pasture, we are trying to develop an adequate supplement program to either get our cattle bred back, or to get some weight on that growing steer, or to make sure that heifer breeds,” Kubesch added.
Analyzing Results: The results of hay tests give producers accurate information to help them put together a supplementation program. Generally, hay sample analysis includes findings regarding composition elements such as moisture or dry matter content (DM), crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Both NDF and ADF look at structural plant fiber. Additionally, TDN is consider a value of concentrations of net energy and is calculated using prediction equations based on CP and fiber levels.
Due to the wide range of nutrition between lots of hay from operation to operation, testing reveals information specific for an operation. “We have had bales where there is adequate protein and inadequate TDN, or where the bales are meeting one criterion or another. But just having that information in pocket is really going to be crucial as to whether to lean more toward a protein supplementation or an energy supplementation.”
Collecting Samples: Extension forage specialists encourage producers to utilize bale core samplers when collecting samples from their lots of hay. A lot of hay is considered all the hay cut and baled at the same time in the same pasture. Producers should collect multiple hay samples from each lot of hay. The samples from the different lots should be analyzed separately.
The timing of collecting the samples is also important. “Make sure that the test reflects the honest condition of what that bale is going to be,” Kubesch said. For example, if a lot of hay is sampled and tested shortly after baling, and then the bales are left outside in the elements for a period of time before being fed, the nutritional value at feeding will not match the results of the test.
Therefore, producers will want to test their hay at a time that it will best reflect the nutritional value revealed through the hay test analysis. If properly stored, hay can be tested several months ahead of feeding. This would give producers more of a window to develop their supplementation program.
