As Brownwood-area livestock owners begin feeding more hay for fall and winter, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is encouraging producers to test their forage instead of judging its quality by appearance alone. The recommendation follows an unusual discovery by Brown County County Extension Agent Anna Davenport, who found that a feral hog had been baled into hay intended for a horse.
Davenport described finding the problem while feeding after dark. She was pulling hay from a round bale for a horse kept in a pen when she noticed a strong odor. With better light the next day, she discovered the source: a feral hog had been baled along with the hay.
Although that kind of contamination is unusual, the incident prompted a broader reminder for livestock owners: a bale can contain problems that are not obvious from its appearance. Hay quality can vary substantially, and testing provides information producers can use to decide whether the forage is adequate for their animals.
Why hay quality can vary
The nutritional value of hay depends on several factors, including the forage species, how mature the plants were when harvested, weather conditions and the way the hay was stored. Hay that looks good may still fail to supply the energy, protein or minerals livestock need for health and performance.
A hay test identifies important characteristics of the forage, including crude protein, energy and fiber. Those results can help producers determine whether the hay meets the nutritional requirements of their livestock or whether additional supplementation is needed.
Instead of estimating what animals may need, producers can use the test results to make feeding decisions based on measured nutrient levels. That can be especially useful as herds and flocks move into a period when stored forage becomes a larger part of the diet.
Testing can help control costs
Testing hay may also help livestock owners avoid unnecessary expenses. Knowing the quality of available forage can prevent producers from buying supplements their animals do not need. At the same time, test results can identify hay that does not provide enough nutrition, helping owners avoid underfeeding livestock that require additional nutrients.
AgriLife Extension said the cost of testing is a relatively small investment compared with the potential benefits of better feeding decisions and improved livestock health and productivity. The results can help producers decide how to use the hay they already have and whether nutritional supplements are necessary.
How Brown County producers can submit hay
Forage testing is available through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Brown County producers can contact Davenport at (325) 646-0386 or visit the office at 605 Fisk Avenue in Brownwood.
Forms and instructions are available through the Texas A&M forage-testing program at soiltesting.tamu.edu/forage-testing/. Additional information about forage quality analysis is available through Texas A&M AgriLife at mytexas.ag.tamu.edu.
The reminder comes as producers prepare for increased hay use: testing can reveal the nutritional content of a bale before it becomes the main source of feed, while a closer inspection can also help identify unexpected contamination.