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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. 

There are four people who work with the Forage Testing Program; Kimberly Field and Tina Garland work in the lab in Frankfort, Jim Wade covers the middle western area and Mike Phelps covers the far western part of the state (see region listing below). 

The Frankfort lab and Mike Phelps take appointments for the Forage Testing Van. The Forage Testing Van is outfitted and used for educational purposes; the “Van” can be booked for hay contests, association meetings, fairs, ect. 

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.   

For more information on the Forage Testing Program, call the toll-free 1-800-248-4628, or contact Kimberly Field by e-mail at kimberly.field@ky.gov.

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.

For More Information Contact:

Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Hay Testing Program

Toll Free Line: (800) 248-4628

or 502-573-0282

Useful Links

Tested Hay/Forage Sales Directory

Hay Hotline

Hay Sample Request Form

Note: Please include a check or money order for $10.00 per sample made payable to  "Kentucky State Treasurer" and send haylage samples 2nd day delivery.

Sampled Hay/Forage

Terms Explained

Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council

Moisture Concentration

American Forage and Grassland Council

Corn Silage Harvest Techniques

Buffalo Trace Produce & Hay Auction, LLC

E-Hay Weekly

Forage Focus

Hay Barn

Hay and Forage Grower

Hay Exchange

Hay Making Weather

Hay Probe Listings (NFTA)

National Forage Testing Association (NFTA)

National Hay Association

National Weather Service Precipitation Analysis

Oregon State University Forage Website

Taking a Good Hay Sample

United States Department of Agriculture
Ag Marketing Page

University of Kentucky Forage Webpage

University of Kentucky Ag Weather

Web Soil Survey

Google Earth