Seven Tips for Optimal Forage Quality - Kubota USA | Kubota USA
Seven Tips for Optimal Forage Quality
February 13, 2023
When it comes to hay production, the small details, coupled with consistency, can lead to high-quality hay and, ultimately, a successful farming or ranching business. Some of the best hay producers have proven that optimized production is a fine balance between art and science, and that begins with the best hay-handling technology and equipment.
We’ve put together a list of tips that according to each expert will help make your hay production easier, while creating more value in each bale – from first cutting to feeding.
Make hay when the sun is shining, but don’t lose sight of key moisture moments. There are some key moments early in the hay harvesting cycle that really affect the end product, and it’s all tied to moisture. According to Dr. Lisa Baxter, Assistant Professor and Extension Forage Agronomist for Crop & Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, tedding is best when leaves are protected by morning dew, when the moisture is above 50%. Raking is best at 25-35% moisture, letting it continue to dry while you start up the baler. Meanwhile, baling is best at 18% moisture for dry hay round bales.1
Premium Hay vs. Haylage: Moisture levels matter. Experts at the University of Wisconsin Extension have found that forages are at 75-80% moisture when first cut. Drying time is key to reach levels of 60-65% moisture content for haylage, and down to 14-18% moisture content for dry hay. That number should be less than 14% when making larger bales.2
Don’t lose sight of conditioners. Conditioners take haymaking to new heights. According to the UGA Forage Extension team, conditioners are efficient in decreasing the drying time, especially in the 12 hours after cutting. Studies have also shown that quick drying can be helpful in reducing respiration losses.3 The Kubota DMC Series offers added benefits, with full-length conditioning on all models.
Choose your wrap wisely. With multiple wrap options for your bale, it may be confusing to determine the best for your needs. While each has unique benefits, research has proven that net wrap can have the most positive impact on your bottom line. Studies done by Dr. Kevin Shinners at the University of Wisconsin show that net wrap can reduce harvest loss by about one percent.4 Using net wrap instead of twine also helps ensure your bale has a more uniform cover, making it easier to load and handle. Luckily, whichever choice you make, Kubota has balers that work with both net wrap and twine.
Root Health + soil health + pasture plant health = good soil and pasture management. To keep forage growing, you need to have the nutrients there to grow from. Don’t take soil testing for granted; Dr. Mary Ellen Hicks, Professor of Animal Science at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College suggests sampling soil in hay fields once every year and your pasture every three years. Fertilizers are 100% dependent on the soil test to ensure you’re not over or under applying.1
Unless you test, it’s just a guess. Dr. Jennifer Tucker, Assistant Professor at the Department of Animal & Dairy Science at the University of Georgia suggests a forage test at harvest to make better, informed decisions when feeding livestock prior to feeding or selling your hay. While hay assessment can involve the five senses by evaluating color, smell and other physical characteristics, submitting hay samples for analysis can reveal much more information, especially when it comes to the forage’s nutritional value.1 Scientists at the University of Florida and University of Wisconsin developed the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) calculation to do just that.5 RFQ calculations can be useful in helping to define which fields are meeting the nutritional needs of the livestock being fed.
Measure for results. According to Dr. Baxter, for the perfect cut, four inches should be the minimum height for a cool season crop. Meanwhile, three inches is the minimum cut height for a warm season crop; it’s crucial to not cut shorter, or you’ll stunt the forage growth. The ideal interval between each harvest is 28-30 days to maximize quality and quantity.1
For more expert insights and strategies for all aspects of hay production, visit our Forage Forum.
Kubota offers a complete lineup of hay implements with a focus on quality and simplicity. Visit kubotausa.com to explore mower, tedder, rake, baler and wrapper models, and stop by your authorized Kubota dealer to see them in person and to stock up on Kubota Genuine Parts to get you prepped and ready for hay season.
