According to Penn State Extension, there are 6 major factors that affect forage quality: maturity; crop species; harvest and storage; environment; soil fertility; and variety. "Soil fertility affects forage yield much more than it does quality. While it is possible to produce high quality forage on poor, unproductive soils, it is generally very difficult to produce high yields of high quality forage with an unproductive soil resource. Proper soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels help to keep desirable legumes in a mixed seeding and also reduce weed problems. It is necessary to balance soil fertility to avoid mineral imbalances in ruminants. Low soil fertility, as well as very high fertility, has resulted in reduced forage quality. Soil testing can identify optimum lime and fertilizer additions. "

A lot of producers in Wolfe County don't soil test their fields regularly, if at all. Typically, each year they apply 19-19-19 to their hay fields. This is evident when soil tests are done and phosphorus levels are extremely high. Recently, a young farmer in Wolfe County, who had never soil tested before, approached the ANR agent about taking soil tests on some of his hay fields. He had previously had several talks with the agent as well as had attended various classes/programs where the advantages of soil testing were presented. Soil testing was done on the fields in late winter/early spring and the producer followed the agent's fertilizer recommendations. Even before the first cutting of hay, the producer indicated that he could already visually tell a difference in those fields, versus the ones that weren't tested and 19-19-19 was applied. The agent will continue to work with this producer and follow-up throughout the season to determine if forage yields were increased in the tested fields.