High-quality forage is the backbone of your livestock’s health and your farm’s bottom line. Whether running a dairy operation, or raising beef cattle, sheep, goats, or horses, high-quality forage can directly impact animal performance, feed efficiency, and profitability. Forage rich in digestible fiber and protein leads to better growth rates, improved milk yields, and enhanced reproductive health. 

Indicators of High-Quality Forage

The best indicator of forage quality is animal performance. It is important to understand the nutritional needs of the species and class of livestock being fed so their nutritional requirements can be met for optimal performance. Livestock fed a ration that meets their nutritional requirements for productivity will have optimal performance and high-quality forage can play a key role in their performance and health. Several factors can affect forage quality:

Species of Forage: Different species of forage have varying nutritive values. Generally, alfalfa provides higher protein and digestibility compared to many grass hays, making it an ideal choice for dairy cows and young, growing animals. Winter annuals have high quality and can also meet the nutritional demands of high-producing livestock, while other forages, such as cool-season perennial grass hays are well-suited for mature livestock such as beef cows, horses, and sheep.

Leaf Retention During Harvest: Leaves contain the highest concentration of nutrients in forage, regardless of crop species. However, during mechanical harvest, there is a risk of leaf loss with every pass of equipment, reducing the forage quality. The goal of forage harvest is to preserve as much of the nutritional value as possible.  

Stage of Maturity: The crop stage of maturity at harvest is a key factor in forage quality. As forage matures, dry matter and fiber content increase while digestibility declines. This means that while mature forage yields more tonnage, it comes at the cost of reduced forage quality.

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Why High-Quality Forage Matters

High-quality forage plays a key role in livestock productivity by enhancing animal health through meeting the specific nutritional needs of livestock at various stages of productivity.

For example, forage quality directly affects health and performance in cattle. High-quality forage boosts milk production in dairy cattle by providing the energy required for high yields. Similarly, growing livestock benefit from high-quality forage to support greater weight gains and efficient feed conversion, which are key in growing livestock. Quality forage also improves reproductive health, supporting fertility during breeding and healthier offspring, which all contribute to long-term herd performance.

High-quality forage is also a critical driver of profitability. For commercial hay producers, quality hay can command a premium price, boosting revenue. High-nutritive value forage meets the demands of buyers, creating an opportunity for higher returns per bale.

Quality forage not only yields greater returns but also supports healthier livestock, making it a cornerstone of successful hay-making.

Massey Ferguson Solutions

Massey Ferguson is focused on helping you produce hay faster and more efficiently, without sacrificing quality.

Double Conditioner: By incorporating two steel-on-steel roller conditioners, a double conditioner crimps stems more frequently along their length, allowing moisture to dissipate faster. This efficient drying process helps reduce the time forage spends in the field curing, minimizing nutrient loss due to respiration. Faster dry down means operators can bale sooner, retaining more digestible energy due to the reduction in respiration.

Steel-on-Steel Conditioners: Steel-on-steel roller conditioners have been shown to improve forage quality by drying hay faster compared to rubber-on-rubber roller conditioners and impeller/tine conditioning systems. 

Rotary Rake: The rotary rake has been shown to produce greater forage quality hay compared to ground-driven rake options, incorporating less ash into the windrow and retaining more leaves during the raking process.

Large Square Baler: These balers produce dense, uniform bales. Their gentle handling during pickup into the pre-compression chamber, as well as the ability to adjust the trap door based on various crop conditions, ensures that minimal leaf material is lost during the baling process, protecting the most nutrient-rich parts of the forage. Additionally, their high-capacity design allows for efficient baling, helping farmers capitalize on optimal moisture levels and retain the quality of their hay.