Hay Quality Opinions Sought

[chronic66]

I had 23 acres of nwsg, kochia and an assortment of other weeds and flowers. I had it swathed and baled. It yielded 70 large round bales. This was all done starting probably July 9th. I don't know exactly cause I was out in the mountains at the time. Anyway, I am posting the results of labwork I had done on this hay and would like your opinion of this hay.

moisture % 11.9
dry matter % 88.1

all other results will be for 100% dry matter

crude protein 13.4
acid detergent fiber 38.4
neutral detergent fiber 59.8
total digestible nutrients 59.7
net energy, maint 0.59
net energy, gain 0.33
net energy, lact 0.61
digestible energy 1.20
met energy 0.98
relative feed value 92
nitrate nitrogen 920

[haypoint]

Crude protein tells you very little, disregard.
Your RFQ of 92 is below average. Average is 100. A beef cow calf pair need 110 to 130 RFQ/RFV, a milking dairy cow up around 140 to 150. Your acid and neutral detergent fiber is well below prime, but not in the bottom either.

[myheaven]

May be good bulk in a tmr but not as a primary feed.

[chronic66]

Haypoint, if I was going to feed this to a cow and calf, what would I need to supplement to make it a decent ration?

[idigbeets]

I'd mix it 1/2 1/2 with some better quality hay, lower in NDF, higher in protein. or put out a protein tub. The nitrate level on that hay is alright, little high, but nothing to be worried about imo.

I'm curious to see what others have to say....

[haypoint]

You have a free expert available in your local Extension Agent. The hard part is done, you know what your hay is, and isn't. A good nutritionist can take that and figure out a way to get you where you need to be. As always, mineral block with selenium.

[Allen W]

It would be decent hay for dry cows with some added protein. For a cow with a small nursing calf I would want some better hay for part of the ration plus possible additional supplement of protein and or grain. To feed to a growing calf, no, growing calves need good quality digestible feed for maintenance and growth.

Expect some extra waste from the hay especially with the wild flowers mixed in.

[rambler]

Its a good roughage.

You need protien (bean meal, DDG, alfalfa, earlage or haylage silage) in a lick tub or lose or mixed together with this hay.

And a mineral mix with salt.

You could feed it along with grazing good green pasture in theory, but in my experience they turn their nose up at the so-so hay when they have good pasture so doesn't actually work. Unless you sweetened the hay with molasses or the like, but then you might as well do the protien and hay deal.

Paul