• Papers
• Forage quality, indexing legumes, yield, impact on cattle

• Hay Sampling
• Importance, how to, methods, improve accuracy, common abuses

• Laboratory Testing
• Feeding value, evaluating hay, time of day effects, dairy nutritionists

• Hay Quality Concepts
• Important: Penn State Forages
  Understanding, silage, preservation, calculating dry hay equivalents, intermountain quality stick

• California Recognized Program
• Recognized labs, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998

• National Forage Testing Association (NFTA)
• Important: NFTA Homepage
  Certified labs, sampling procedures, certification requirements, hay probe source

• Peter H. Robinson
• Researcher specializing in the nutrition of Dairy Cows

Forage Quality is a very important component of Alfalfa crop profitability. From the hay-grower's perspective the quality of forage largely determines value per unit weight ($$/ton). From the dairy or livestock perspective, the quality of the forage will determine the feeding value (generally milk/ton of feed).  In California, forage quality & testing likely determines about 20-30% of the value of the alfalfa produced here (>$300 million/year). Likely 70% of the hay is tested.  Below are several articles which will aid in your understanding of Forage Quality.