Forage Quality and Testing

Test to ensure you are producing high quality forage. An article in Hay & Forage Grower Magazine describes common abuses of the hay testing process (see articles below).

• National Forage Testing Association Website
• Hay Sampling Certification Exam

Articles

• Forage Quality and Testing (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual
• Alfalfa Utilization by Livestock (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual
• Understanding Forage Quality (2001) - NFTA (The National Forage Testing Association)
• The Future of Alfalfa Forage Quality Testing in Hay Markets (2006) by Daniel H. Putnam, Dan Undersander
• Forage Quality Testing and Markets: Where are we Going? (2004) - 34th California Alfalfa & 2004 National Alfalfa Symposium
• Don't abuse that hay test! by Daniel H. Putnam - Hay & Forage Grower Magazine
• Evaluating Hay for Horses: Myths and Realities (1998) by Laurie Lawrence - 28th California Alfalfa Symposium
• What are Dairy Nutritionists Looking for in Alfalfa Hay? (1998) by Peter H. Robinson - 28th California Alfalfa Symposium
• Proper Sampling Methods Improve Accuracy of Lab Testing (1998) - UC Cooperative Extension