les vough hay marketing consultant maryland department of agriculture and forage crops extension...
Post on 22-Dec-2015
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Les Vough
Hay Marketing Consultant
Maryland Department of Agriculture
and
Forage Crops Extension Specialist Emeritus
University of Maryland
What To Look For
In Evaluating Hay
Forage Quality
Generally means same thing as
feeding value.
Depends on the availability of the
nutrients consumed and the quantity
of forages voluntarily consumed.
Estimating Forage Quality Visually
Visual estimates of forage
quality are based on factors known to influence
feeding value and animal performance.
Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance
1. Stage of Maturity
2. Leafiness
3. Color
4. Odor and Condition
5. Foreign Material
Stage of Maturity
Where greatest progress can be made on many farms.
Most important single factor affecting forage quality.
Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance
1. Stage of Maturity
2. Leafiness
3. Color
Color
Can be deceiving.
Humans emphasize it – animals colorblind.
If hay is off-color, what type of damage and
how extensive?
Color Indication of
Bright green Rapid & proper curing
Golden/yellow Sun-bleaching or
over-mature grass
Brown/black Rain damage
Brown/black Heat damage w/ musty odor
Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance
1. Stage of Maturity
2. Leafiness
3. Color
4. Odor and Condition
Factors Known To Influence Hay Quality And Animal Performance
1. Stage of Maturity
2. Leafiness
3. Color
4. Odor and Condition
5. Foreign Material
Foreign Material
Non-injurious
(weeds, straw, cornstalks,
sticks, etc.)
Injurious
(poisonous plants, wire,
glass, etc.)
Score Sheet for Visually Evaluating Hay
Factor Possible Score
Stage of Maturity 30
Leafiness 20
Color 20
Odor and Condition 20
Foreign Material 10
Total 100
Forage Quality
Plays a key role in the productivity
and profitability of nearly every
livestock enterprise and thus forage
testing is an essential management
practice.
Combining visual inspection
and chemical analysis greatly improve the
accuracy of the predicted nutritive value
of hay.
Comparison of Chemical Analysis and Visual Inspection
Factor Chemical Visual
Maturity Good Fair
Leafiness Fair Good
Color Poor Good
Odor & Condition Poor Good
Foreign Material Poor Good
Forage Testing
Separate samples should be taken
for each cutting and each field as
quality will depend upon harvesting
dates, weather conditions, fertilization
practices and insect damage.
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/PDFs/FS644.pdf
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/ Publication.cfm?ID=110