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What’s the nutrient value of your hay?

An Ohio State University Extension educator says the challenges of making hay this year make it very important to have its nutrient value tested.

Mark Landefeld in Monroe County, Ohio says it’s a good idea to have hay tested every year and this year’s hay might be better than expected in some cases.

“This year in particular, while there was a considerable amount of poor quality hay made, some of the hay made was not nearly as bad as one might have thought just from the timing of calendar when it was made,” Landefeld said. “Really just another reason to go ahead and check that hay.”

The OSU Extension educator says a nutrient analysis could pay off even for those who are planning to sell their hay.

“If they have that analysis it gives them a little better idea of what it is they are selling and if they did get the hay made timely and really good quality, obviously good quality hay is worth or should be worth more as far as a guy selling than a poorer quality hay,” Landefeld said.

It typically takes 5 to 7 working days to get the analysis back from the lab.