OSU Extension sets hay testing deadline

“Make hay while the sun shines.” How many times have you heard that said through the years?

In 2025, making dry hay was difficult at best. So far in 2026, producing quality forage continues to be a challenge because of warm, wet weather. Forage analysis results from last year’s testing program highlighted a lack of nutrients in many first-cutting hay samples. Those results demonstrated the value of forage testing during the summer to develop winter supplementation plans if needed.

Again in 2026, Ohio State University Extension is offering a forage testing program with the goal of providing timely education for winter supplementation and, if enough samples are submitted, creating a county hay-quality summary.

Dry hay or baleage samples are due to local OSU Extension offices by July 30. The first sample analysis will cost $15, with subsequent samples costing $20. Near-infrared analysis will be completed.

Producers will receive values for dry matter content, total digestible nutrients, crude protein, ADF, NDF, ash, fat, carbon, phosphorus and potassium. Contact a local OSU Extension office for more information and availability of a forage sampling probe.

Mark Landefeld, retired Monroe County agriculture and natural resources educator, said making timely first-cutting dry hay in Ohio always presents weather challenges, but this year has been especially difficult.

“Extremely good, high-quality hay is made from young leafy forage at boot stage, not fully mature long brown stems with dried-up seed heads like we have been seeing everywhere now in July,” Landefeld said.

The combination of maximum yield and highly digestible dry matter is usually obtained at the late boot to early head stage of maturity for grasses and in the mid- to late-bud stage of maturity for legumes. Landefeld said forage harvested at those stages often meets the nutritional requirements of beef cattle, but accomplishing that this year has been the exception rather than the rule for many producers.

While beef cattle do not require the same nutritional levels as dairy cattle, Landefeld said many first-cutting hay crops likely will require supplementation this winter through grain, stockpiled forage or higher-quality second-cutting hay.

“Forage testing should be done so producers know what their hay quality actually is and if adjustments need to be made,” he said.

Landefeld noted cattle can have a full stomach but still not receive enough nutrients if forage quality is poor.

“Extended periods of poor nutrition can lead to calving problems, weak newborns, poor-quality milk, rebreeding problems and many other costly complications,” he said.

He expects neutral detergent fiber values will be higher than normal in many hay samples because forage matured beyond ideal harvest conditions. Higher NDF levels reduce forage intake because the feed passes more slowly through the animal’s digestive system.

Landefeld also said ash levels may be elevated because muddy field conditions forced producers to operate equipment in wet conditions, increasing the likelihood of dirt contamination in harvested forage.

Heat damage also may be an issue this year. Hay baled with excessive moisture can undergo a chemical reaction known as the Maillard reaction, which reduces protein availability even when hay develops a sweet smell that cattle find appealing.

“All rations should be balanced using the adjusted crude protein rather than the other protein values listed on your forage analysis,” Landefeld said.

He encouraged producers to sample multiple lots of hay because harvest dates, forage species and fertilizer practices can affect quality.

Forage samples should be collected with a forage probe from 12-15 bales in each lot and combined into a sealed plastic bag for testing.

Because the program is part of a data collection project, results may take longer to return than through a commercial laboratory. Analysis results will be sent to local Extension offices and emailed to producers.

Members of the OSU Extension Forage Team and Beef Team, along with local agriculture and natural resources educators, are available to help producers interpret results and develop winter feeding plans.