September Hay Situation and Price Update

Each month, John McGregor, MFGA Extension Support, surveys MAFRD Forage Specialists and forage industry people to provide a brief update of hay prices and the hay situation. 

Click here for the full article

Feed Sampling

With the hay situation here in Manitoba and further west, cattle producers must remember that quantity and quality of hay are independent characteristics of their hay crop. Forage analysis can be a useful tool to remove some of the mystery concerning the hay that producers will feed this winter. Testing the grass hays this year for protein and energy content will help the producer design winter supplementation programs most appropriate for the forage supply that is available. This year there have been some challenges with getting the hay crop off in ideal conditions so knowing what you have available can help you manage your feed to best maximize its potential when feeding your livestock. 

Get more information on feed sampling.

Assess Alfalfa Stands this Fall

Now is the time for farmers to evaluate their alfalfa stands to make decisions for next year. Walk your alfalfa fields and count the number of plants. A productive stand should have at least three-to-five plants per square foot. Once you have determined you have an adequate stand you need to look at the number of stems/plant. Generally, each crown will have a number of stems; ideally you want more than 40 stems/sq ft if you are looking to keep the stand. After doing an above ground evaluation, take a spade and dig alfalfa plants out of the ground to look at the crown and root structure to see if it's healthy or infected with pathogens that will shorten the life of the stand. Determining the health of the crown will help to predict the longevity and yield of the stand. 

For more on this go to Alfalfa Stand Assessment.

Processed Hay and Its Nutritional Value

Processed hay commonly refers to hay made by a baler with a built-in system that cuts crop in varying lengths, some as short as 2.5 inches, during the entire formation of the bale or after the bale core has been formed. The primary advantage of such processing is to improve bale density by packing the cut crop into the bale more tightly. With a denser silage or high-moisture bale comes greater fermentation and less spoilage. Thus processing increases the nutritive value of the hay by improving its quality. Penn State University research into the effects of chop length when feeding low quality hay to late lactation or dry cows demonstrates further processing benefits: that chopping it fine enough to minimize sorting will help cows consume the amount of forage desired. Adequate physically effective fiber (forage particle size) in the ration will maintain the proper rumen environment by stimulating chewing and ruminating, increasing saliva secretion, and improving buffering capacity of the rumen.

• Provincial hay production below average - As harvest progresses, MFGA forage specialist takes a look at how this year's hay production is shaping up 
• Hay Prices and Method of Buying & Selling Hay - Golden West Radio interviews MFGA John McGregor