The problem

Forage quality has long standing an misunderstood concept in animal nutrition.  Most producers goal is to produce a quantity amount of forage instead of a quality forage.  Historically most stored forages in Kentucky are late maturing grasses with lower levels of adequate nutrition components.

The educational program response

In response to the lack of knowledge relating to forage quality a program was established to collect and and analyze stored forages.  As part of a field day in conjunction with the local Soil Conservation District, a demonstration on proper sampling techniques was completed.  Samples were then collected across multiple operations and analyzed for quality parameters.

The participants/target audience

Cattle producers

Forage Producers

Other partners (if applicable)

Program impact or participant response.

Through this program multiple producers submitted samples for lab analysis many had never evaluted forages before.  A wide range of forages were tested from corn silage to fescuse hay.  Four of the participants stated they never had related their forage quality to overall profitability of their operation.  All also stated that they would test their forages every year to ensure they were providing adequate nutrition to their herds.