A good hay test is critical to designing an appropriate and cost effective winter supplementation plan. When possible, it is good to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks after the hay is baled to allow it to finish curing before it is sampled.
Hay should be sampled using a hay probe to take samples from approximately 10% of the bales from each cutting or lot of hay. Unfortunately, all testing labs are not the same. Visit with a nutritionist before sending samples to see what lab they recommend and what tests are most appropriate for each sample.
