Many livestock producers do not test their hay. Determining and understanding the quality of their forage is vital in ensuring that the nutritional needs of their animals are being met. Hay testing gives the producers the information needed to provide a balanced nutrition plan. Which in turn will help prevent them from over/under feeding, not meeting animals’ nutritional needs, and wasting money.

The Central Kentucky Hay Contest was created with the purpose of educating about forage test analysis and the economic impacts that it has. This year fourteen Central Kentucky Cooperative Extension Agents participated in the contest by gathering samples from their county to be analyzed by the UK Forage team. Over 200 samples were collected this year for analysis.

In Fayette County, hay testing is growing through outreach such as the Central KY Hay Contest, but many producers still assume that their hay is the quality needed to meet their animals’ needs.

This year four producers from Fayette County participated. Between the four the combined acreage is well into thousands. Producers ranged from beef cattle to equine, and of the four only two have ever tested hay before. The samples ranged from large round bales, small squares, and even some baleage. The producers responded that hay testing will allow them to make better management decisions and will also allow them to market the hay they sale better.

I expect that more Fayette County producers will participate next year with continued outreach from me, and word of mouth from the participating producers this year.