Substandard Hay This Winter?

Southern farmers have baled plenty of hay for winter feeding, but just how good is it?

Two Alabama Extension forage nutrition experts are asking that same question.

Dr. Don Ball, Alabama Cooperative Extension System forage agronomist, is concerned that rainy weather over much of the South has prevented many producers from cutting hay at peak quality.

One of Ball’s co-workers, Extension beef nutritionist Dr. Darrell Rankins, agrees. The two nutrients of most concern, he said, are protein and energy content, since younger cattle need higher percentages of energy and protein in their diet than older animals.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at February 14, 2004 11:05 AM