What the Latest Feed Value Tests Reveal About Hay from This Season

Understanding Feed Values: A Quick Refresher

Feed value metrics such as Relative Feed Value (RFV), Relative Forage Quality (RFQ), crude protein (CP), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) are key in assessing hay quality and market value.
Knowing how to interpret recent test data allows both producers and buyers on premiumhaysuply.com to make informed decisions.

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1. What Recent Test Data Are Showing This Season

Hay laboratories across major producing regions report the following trends:

• Slight decline in average RFV/RFQ due to this spring’s late start and cooler weather delaying maturity.
• Higher moisture content at baling in some fields, leading to lower sugar content and slightly higher fiber fractions.
• Some premium fields (early-cut alfalfa/legume mixes) still holding high CP values, but fewer of them than previous years.

A recent publication by an extension service noted:

“Crops harvested under marginal drying conditions showed lower digestibility values and increased leaf shatter.”

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2. Why These Trends Are Occurring

a) Weather & Growth Conditions

Late start to the season and cooler nights slowed plant growth and maturity, which reduces stem-to-leaf ratio and delays optimum cutting window.

b) Harvesting Pressure & Timing

Fields left longer waiting for drier weather lost leaf retention and sugar content. This season many producers delayed mowing until later morning to capture better drying windows, but some waited too late.

c) Storage & Handling Impacts

Even after baling, poor stacks, high moisture, or delayed turnover resulted in internal heating or respiration losses, reducing actual feed value compared to test results.

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3. What the Numbers Really Mean for Buyers & Sellers

• For Buyers: Be aware of increasing variability in hay from this season. Request recent lab reports, compare CP and TDN values specifically, and don’t focus on crude protein alone.
• For Sellers: If your hay tests at or above last year’s top tier (e.g., CP > 22 % for premium alfalfa, RFQ > 180), highlight that in your marketing. If it’s moderate (CP 18–20 %, RFQ 140–160), adjust pricing accordingly.

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4. Example of Interpreting a Lab Report

Suppose you receive a test stating:

• CP = 21%
• RFQ = 172
• NDF = 38%
• ADF = 30%

This indicates a high-quality hay suitable for dairy or high-performance horses. In contrast:

• CP = 17%
• RFQ = 135
• NDF = 45%
• ADF = 34%

That hay falls into a moderate feed‐value class and should be marketed as “good” rather than “premium”.

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5. How to Improve Your Next Batch’s Feed Value

• Cut earlier in the maturity window (i.e., early bud for alfalfa)
• Monitor weather and shoot for drier field conditions
• Ensure even drying and low moisture before baling (<16% for large squares)
• Use conditioners and tedding to speed drying without shredding leaves
• Test each batch and keep records to build buyer confidence

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Key Takeaway

This season’s feed value tests show slightly lower averages but ample opportunity for premium producers who optimize timing, drying and storage. For buyers and sellers at premiumhaysuply.com, a strong lab report can differentiate your hay in a crowded market.