Ohio Forage Tests Reveal Wide Gaps in Quality After Extreme Weather

By Andi Anderson

Forage quality across Ohio has once again been shaped by an unpredictable year of weather extremes. Following a historic drought in 2024, the 2025 season brought heavy spring rains and scattered storms.

While the moisture boosted pasture growth and provided opportunities for multiple hay cuttings, it also made drying difficult, raising the risk of mold, spoilage, and inconsistent forage quality.

To better understand what producers are dealing with, the Ohio State University Extension Beef Team partnered with 29 Extension educators to collect 180 forage samples statewide. The results, analyzed from local farms, reveal that many forages are not meeting the nutritional needs of spring-calving cows.

Cows require about 49% total digestible nutrients (TDN) beginning three months before calving, rising to 60% at peak milk production. However, grass hay samples ranged widely from 25.3% to 59% TDN, and haylage from 42.8% to 58%. Mixed hay and legume hay performed better, with maximum TDN levels of 69.6% and 61.9% respectively.

Protein levels also varied significantly, ranging from 5.83% to 21.7%. For healthy spring-calving cows, protein requirements are at least 7% going into fall and 11% at peak lactation. These levels do not account for added stress from weather or poor body condition entering winter.

Experts stress the importance of forage testing to guide feeding strategies. Ohio State offers forage analysis for a small fee, providing valuable data to help producers determine whether supplementation is necessary. As the value of each pound of calf increases, ensuring cows meet their nutritional needs has never been more important.

Producers are encouraged to test hay and silage now to avoid surprises later in the feeding season. Supplementation, when combined with forage testing, can safeguard herd health, maintain productivity, and protect profits.

As Extension specialists put it: “Don’t guess, forage test.” In a year of extremes, that message carries more weight than ever.

Photo Credit: soybeans-for-forage