By Andi Anderson
In Kentucky, the 2025 hay season brought good yields but disappointing forage quality. Delayed first-cutting harvests left many farmers dealing with mature hay that lacks essential nutrients for livestock.
As grasses mature and develop seeds, their yield increases, but their nutritional value drops. This year’s hay tests confirmed that trend—high volumes but lower quality. Kentucky weather continues to challenge timely hay harvests, with fewer dry days for baling reported in recent years.
Farmers are now left asking, what’s the solution? According to experts, one practical answer is switching to baleage. Unlike traditional dry hay, high-quality baleage can be made with a short two-day curing window—one day for mowing and wilting, another for baling and wrapping.
This method gives producers a better chance to harvest forage at the ideal stage of maturity, maintaining higher nutritional value.
In challenging years like 2025, hay testing becomes even more important. With much of Kentucky’s first cutting harvested late, knowing the exact quality of hay is critical to planning proper winter feeding.
Livestock, especially cows, rely on well-balanced nutrition, and poor forage can impact reproduction and calf health.
Body condition at calving is the single most important factor affecting rebreeding success in cow herds. Therefore, designing an effective supplementation program starts with understanding hay quality. If farmers have never tested hay before, 2025 is the right year to begin.
To support farmers, OSU Extension is offering a forage testing program until the end of July. This initiative aims to help farmers assess forage quality and plan appropriate winter supplementation.
Farmers can visit https://go.osu.edu/testyourhay for more details and to participate. Testing hay now can make a significant difference in herd health and productivity later.
With weather challenges becoming more common, adopting hay testing and baleage practices is a smart move for long-term success in Kentucky farming.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ianchrisgraham
Categories: Ohio, General