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Superintendent
David Davis
21262 Genoa Road
Linneus, MO 64653
Phone: 660 895-5121
FAX: 660 895=5122
Email: DavisDK@missouri.edu

October-December, 2009
Forage Systems Update
Vol 18, No. 4

If you are going to invest the time and expense of sampling hay to test for quality, you want to get your money’s worth. The results of your test are only as good as the sample you submit. This is true whether it is soil or hay or any other type of sample you collect for testing. Make sure the sample you submit is representative of the hay you will be feeding or selling. For the most useful hay test results, separate samples should be collected for each “lot” of hay. A simple way for you to define and separate different lots of hay is to separate hay based on: location where it was baled, cutting date, bale composition (similar plant species or similar weeds), similar maturity, or with the same amount of rain damage. The important thing here is to remember that you are trying to remove variability in hay quality associated with these criteria or other criteria that you have identified.

The best way to sample hay is by using a hay probe. Check with your local University Extension Office. Many of them may have a hay probe that can be borrowed for hay sampling. A hay probe is a hollow cylinder, 12 to 18 inches long, that pulls a core from the bale. Collect a minimum of 20 cores from each lot of hay. Randomly select the 20 bales to be sampled to ensure all of the hay is represented by the sample you are submitting. Your local feed dealer may also offer hay sampling as part of their services.

In order to sample as much of the windrow that went into the bale as possible, sample large round bales by drilling horizontally through the side of the bale at waist height. When you are sampling square bales, large or small, push the probe into the center of the end of the bale. This again, allows you to collect hay from more of the windrow. Thoroughly mix the 20 cores together and put the entire sample in a clean air tight plastic bag to maintain the moisture content.

For a list of laboratories that will analyze hay samples visit MU’s Agriculture Electronic Bulletin Board at www.agebb.missouri.edu. Click on the Hay Market Listing link and then the Certified Forage Testing Laboratories link. Under the Hay Market Listing you can also find a list of hay for sale or list your hay to sell as well. Also, when you are buying hay you should always request quality test results.

Once you have obtained your hay quality test results and you have determined what your livestock needs are, you need to allocate hay based on nutrient needs of your livestock. This helps avoid both under and over feeding of nutrients. Visit with your local University Extension Livestock Specialist or your local feed dealers to determine what additional supplement(s) will be needed to meet your livestock needs.

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