Winter is coming and hay inventories are low. Given the present scenario it could possibly come as a reduction to only discover hay to buy. In 2022 many people in Oklahoma discover ourselves making hay purchases from out of state that aren’t the everyday harvested forages we use in Oklahoma. Whatever the hay supply you’re contemplating, ask the next questions and contemplate the next earlier than making purchases:
1. Ask for a FEED ANALYSIS REPORT of the hay earlier than you agree to purchase and contemplate the moisture, protein, vitality and relative feed worth of what you’re buying. Additionally contemplate the nitrate ranges if you’re buying sorghum hay.
2. Buy by the ton, not by the bale. In a drought yr like 2022, there will likely be hay available on the market from roadsides and deserted fields. Some bales of low density relying on baler settings. With the intention to get what you’re paying for base purchases on tonnage. All hay bales should not of equal weight or high quality.
3. Ask how the hay has been saved.In a barn = much less spoilage, stacked in rows on pallets is best than stacked on the bottom.
4. Ask what kind of wrap is on bales. Internet wrap leads to much less spoilage than twine wrap.
5. Ask when the hay was baled. Bales harvested a yr or two in the past are extra topic to spoilage.
6. Ask the place hay is positioned. Hay can’t be moved in from hearth ant endemic areas (https://ag.okay.govplant-industry) with out taking precautions to make sure there are not any hearth ants being transported to areas designated free of fireside ants.
Supply: Oklahoma State College
