Released Nov. 9, 2007
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Recent questions about the long-term storage potential of the abundant 2007 hay crop reminded me of the pros and cons of testing hay. Sometimes the results aren’t all they’re cracked up to be!
About 30 years ago, while working in central Arkansas, a young fellow asked about sampling orchardgrass hay that his grandfather had stored some 12 years earlier. Local history suggested his now-deceased grandfather could really make good hay, and the young man was simply looking for a way to quantify that information.
A small number of bales had been overlooked in an old, out-of-the-way barn for all those years. After climbing into the dusty loft I could easily see the hay had been put up right. However, I was having second thoughts and sure didn’t make promises about its quality.
When the forage analysis arrived, I was pleasantly surprised! In regards to protein and energy alone, his grandfather’s hay could have won any number of hay contests. However, the 12-year old hay had lost its fragrance, texture and other aspects related to palatability, which a lab analysis cannot detect.
Numbers aren’t the only things to consider! It’s like trying to feed turnip greens to a child. If they won’t eat it, who cares about its nutritional value?
So, to get back to the question, yes, hay can be stored to protect an investment. The storage methods should prevent loss of nutrients, quality and volume caused by excess moisture, whether from precipitation or ground absorption. When it comes to feeding, we normally consider quality factors as affected by forage maturity, mold and weeds, but give due consideration to achieving and maintaining palatability.
The young man got what he wanted, which had nothing to do with actually feeding hay. I’m glad I took time to climb into that dusty barn loft because the young man appropriately framed his Granddad’s hay test, which is now a great conversation piece. More importantly, it provides validation for the family that “Granddad really could make good hay!”
If you would like to test your hay or find out how to produce better hay, help is only a phone call away. Call your county extension agent or go to http://www.uaex.edu and select Agriculture, Beef and Feed and Forage Publications. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/november2007/1109seay.htm
Contacts: Lamar James, (501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207, ljames@uaex.edu
