FORAGE marketing PROGRAM

Forage Testing Now Available through UK

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) in collaboration with the University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment has recently transitioned the hay testing program to the UK, Division of Regulatory Services. “It made sense for producers that KDA transitioned of the state’s forage testing program to the University of Kentucky Regulatory Services,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “Farmers who are already utilizing the soil lab through their local extension agent, can now add a follow-up forage analysis and consultation through UK Cooperative Extension, resulting in a more complete soil and forage improvement plan.”   KDA no longer offers hay or forage analysis. For hay testing services, producers should contact their local UK Cooperative Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources or UK-DRS Forage Testing.

Hay for Sale

Need hay?  Look no further.  Check out our HAY FOR SALE listing. This interactive listing enables you to sort or filter by county, hay type, hay quality and more. If you have hay to sell, see “Hay Grading and Marketing” below for instructions on how to submit your hay for the listing.

Hay Grading and marketing

Producers who test their hay for marketing purposes through a certified lab, such as UK, Division of Regulatory Services (DRS), can submit their analysis results to KDA where the lot will be assigned a USDA hay quality grade and it will be included, free of charge, on KDA’s Hay for Sale listing. Untested hay may also be submitted to the Hay for Sale listing, but it will not show a quality grade or analysis to verify the quality.  When testing at DRS, submitting the analysis to KDA is as simple as checking the box on the UK Sample Submission Form to email results to “KDA for Marketing”.  We’ll take it from there!

Kentucky Hay Market Report

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture gathers monthly hay sales data for submission to the USDA for a new Kentucky Monthly Direct Hay Market Report.  On the USDA Hay Reports website, you’ll find a listing of all current U.S. hay market reports.  Scroll down to the alphabetic listing of Direct Hay Reports and look for Kentucky Monthly Direct Hay Market Report. 

We are seeking additional input for the monthly hay market report.  Anyone who sells or buys hay on a regular basis is encouraged to contact Kim Field at Kimberly.Field@ky.gov or 502-782-9210 to participate in our monthly survey. 

Caution for Hay Buyers and sellers

KDA makes no guarantees or claims to the quality, price or value of hay and forages listed for sale.  Producers and brokers with hay for sale will be listed as submitted. KDA suggests that any hay purchased be tested for quality and protein.

Additional Links