Knowing the nutritional quality of hay is an integral part of a profitable and efficient livestock operation.  Testing provides the nutritional value and can result in reduced feed costs, increased animal performance, and information to help improve stands. 

As part of the East Kentucky Hay Contest, the Carter County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources Education made farm visits with 17 local farmers to obtain hay samples for nutritional testing.    Eighty samples were collected.  

Comments from farmers included: 

• “I’m going to see what the results of each sample are, so I know which hay to feed to which group of cattle.”  He knew that the nutritional requirements were higher for lactating cows than they were yearlings. 
• “I want to compare the quality of the hay that was kept in the barn versus the quality of the hay that was kept outside.”
• “This is hay that was left over from last year.  I want to see how it tests this year to see the quality change from year to year.”
• “I want to see the quality of the hay, so I know what supplements I need to provide to my cattle.”    

These comments show that the producers are using the results to guide their farm operation decisions that will lead to lower input costs and higher profits.