An issue that we currently face across most of the country is that due to the dry conditions the amount of hay that will be available this winter will be low. The Texas AgriLife extension service says that the hay crop this year will be bleak due to the extremely dry conditions and the high costs of inputs like fertilizer. Though you may have to stretch your inventory hay is still a better option all things considered.
Under normal conditions hay that is bought is brought in and fed without issue. This is a normal cycle that many produces know well. You should also keep an eye on things. The “sticker price” of the hay is generally the 1st thing that people look at when buying hay but there are other costs to think about. Here are 4 potentially added costs that you need to keep in mind.
Have the hay tested
The truth of the matter is that all hay is not created equal. Depending on different factors such as type, when it was cut, or even where it was cut can affect its quality. How it is stored can even play a factor. As hay has a potentially wide range, it makes sense to test it.
Now some sellers may list the hay quality when they advertise it but be careful. The number given is just a guess without a test to support it. The sad part about how the world has become might actually be pretty far from the truth as well. The cost of a hay analysis is pretty cheap, typically about $20, but the information is very valuable.
A hay test will eliminate the guesswork regarding the nutrients in your hay. Sure you can guess but with the high cost of feed, these days do you really want to leave it to chance? Even if your guess is a couple of percentage points either way it could have serious results. It can mean the difference between healthy cows that breed back after calving or having open cows. Is that something that you really want to take a chance at?
Another benefit of doing the analysis is that it will give you a better idea when comparing prices. When you know what is being provided you can compare all of your options on a cost per pound of protein or energy. When breaking down the prices be sure to also include transportation, storage, and labor. This will give you a look at what the total cost will be for you.
Don’t bring uninvited guests
When you buy the hay although it may look of high quality there may be something else lurking underneath. Your hay bale may contain unwanted stowaways that you don’t want to bring home. Bringing in an unknown weed can suddenly turn a once-clean pasture into a nightmare of dealing with toxic weeds.
An example of this would be what happened here in west central Texas back in the 50s. We had been experiencing an extreme drought for a few years and hay supplies were running low. So to combat this some producers bought and shipped in hay from California. Unknown to them along with that hay they were bringing in distaff thistle as well. It did not take long for the thistle to start taking over pastures.
Trespassers in hay do not have to be plants either. There is no limitation to the origin of insects like Alfalfa weevils. Another pest can be fire ants. You may be thinking that since you live up north they are not a problem and that is kinda true. A mild winter and well-sheltered hay can make fire ants a problem for a few years.
The simple way to lessen this problem is to simply ask questions. If you are buying from some distance away ask what pests are a problem in that area. Be sure to also not just take the seller’s word at it and ask the extension agent in that area to double-check. Check the hay thoroughly before dropping it off when it arrives. Do not be afraid to refuse the hay if the quality is questionable. When you start feeding it starts in a small area so if there is a problem it will be easier to deal with.
Is the hay toxic?
Extreme conditions such as drought can make some hay become toxic. As with prussic acid, most of the toxic compounds are locked up when forage is cut for hay. The species of the plant does play a part. Certain grains and annual forages along with some weed species are more prone to this. Drought stress can cause the nitrate levels in these plants to rise. I go into a little more detail about this in a previous post “How to avoid nitrate toxicity following a drought”.
Hay that contains a lot of weeds can also be toxic to livestock. The baling process can result in them eating more since they lack the ability to be selective. Visually inspecting every bale can help with this. I say every bale because since weeds often grow in patches they may not show up uniformly in a field.
A hay’s storage method can also affect how toxic the hay is. A rush in drying and curing the hay may have caused problems. It can grow mold if not dried correctly. It is not necessary for cattle to eat mold for it to be toxic. Just breathing in the spores from the mold can cause respiratory issues like mycotoxin. If ingested it can lead to lower gain or even aborted calves.
Be sure to plan ahead
When it comes to feeding hay during the winter most producers have a pretty good handle on how much they will need to make it. Knowing this hopefully they have purchased the amount that they will need. But what if things get really bad? What will you do then? We may not be able to plan for every possibility but taking to most likely ones into consideration will help.
Planning on the “what-if” when it comes to quality and not just quantity is also a good idea. Let’s say things get really cold for a long period of time and the animal’s energy demand goes up what then? You may need to investigate some options for supplement feeds.
During this growing season, there won’t be any more hay on the farm. This means that what we have is what we will have to work with. As we go further along the demand for it will go up and some people will take advantage of that and raise their prices. Hay posted for sale does not necessarily mean it is guaranteed. Unfortunately, scams are all too common. If a deal sounds too good to be true it is likely because it is. Buy hay from either a verified source or someone you trust. Also, do not pay for the hay until you have been able to visually inspect it.