Forage Testing Program

Kentucky Alfalfa Conference Contest (pdf)

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture offers a forage testing service which provides nutritional value information. A KDA staff member will take sample(s) of hay and/or haylage at the farm and analyze them in the KDA Forage Laboratory located in Frankfort. Tested forages can mean higher profit, whether feeding cattle, horses, goats, sheep or other livestock. By knowing the nutritional value, you can minimize your cost and maximize your production.

Forage testing helps to determine fair market value and an equitable price. By keeping a forage journal, testing helps in comparing forage quality year-to-year.  The Department charges a $10 fee per lot (same field same cutting) for the service.  The producer receives an analysis of the forage’s nutritional value and an “Interpreting Forage Quality Report” guide.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Forage Testing Program follows standards outlined by the National Forage Testing Association (NFTA). Your local Extension Agent can assist you with your winter feed ration.

Livestock farmers who need hay can find it right here in Kentucky. Listings can be found on the Hay and Forage Program page of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Web site, www.kyagr.com.

If the hay is to be sold, the staff will make a visual evaluation of the forage to use in the listing on the Hay Sales Directory page. Listings on the Hay Sales Directory page brings the consumer and producer together, analysis can be sorted by any combination of county, relative feed value (RFV), bale size and type of hay. Each listing describes a lot’s type, cutting date, cutting number, bale size and weight, color, odor, RFV and other characteristics. Some listings contain digital images of the forage. 

The Forage Testing Program team is Kimberly Field who works the Eastern part of the State, and the Lab in Frankfort. Jim Wade covers the Western Part of Kentucky; if you have a 270 area code please contact Jim at 270-776-2172 or 800-248-4628 (see region below); all others contact Kimberly Field at 800-248-4628. 

Kimberly Field and Jim Wade take appointments for the Forage Testing Van and the Mobile Forage Unit for educational purposes. Jim or Kimberly; with or without the Van and Mobile unit can be booked for hay contests, fairs, field days, conferences ect. All Van and Mobile unit appointments are made via email through Kimberly.field@ky.gov

We work closely with Dr. Garry Lacefield, Extension Forage Specialist; Dr. Ray Smith, Extension Forage Specialist; and Tom Keene, Hay Specialist with the University of Kentucky.  There is a great forage website sponsored by the University of Kentucky that contains forage information, publications and links.The website is www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage.   

Following is a list of counties per region:

Why Test Your Hay

Test your hay to help make your operation more profitable.

• Balancing Livestock Rations – By testing hay and using the analysis, producers can balance feed rations for their livestock. This enables them to use available feed sources to formulate and feed the most economical ration. Producers who have their hay tested will be able to obtain a complete balanced ration for their particular needs. Contact your local county agent for assistance in formulating the most economical ration from available feed sources. This program is a joint effort with the University of Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service.
  
• Buying or Selling Hay – The Grain & Hay Branch maintains a list of hay producers. The service is offered throughout the state and the information may be viewed at the following web site: www.kyagr.com.  A trained field inspector will take several probes that are analyzed for Protein, Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), and Relative Feed Value (RFV) . Hay may also be listed for sale on our web site. A picture and description accompany the nutrient evaluation.
  
  
• Know Your Hay’s True Value – By testing, an individual can determine the quality of the hay. This information may be used to evaluate and improve forage management practices and determine least-cost measures.