Below-average hay and pasture growth in many areas of Western Canada has livestock producers thinking of buying hay to augment their pasture or to provide feed for next winter.
Evaluating the feed requirements of the stock to be fed, and price checking the quality needed, will make feed purchases more efficient, says Michel Tremblay, forage and grass seed specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture.
The important quality components of feed are energy, protein, minerals and vitamins.
Producers can send hay samples for identification and analysis to Envirotest Laboratories at 800-667-7645 in Saskatoon.
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Because each species and class of livestock has its own requirements, the nutrients in the samples should be compared to the needs of the animals.
Recommended nutrient allowances for livestock are available from extension and livestock agrologists.
“A visual inspection is also useful when buying hay. Green colour and a fresh smell, for example, indicate that the hay has had minimal rain or weathering damage,” said Tremblay.
“A high proportion of leaves attached to stems indicate that the hay was not baled too dry or over-mature. Good leaf attachment means that nutrient-rich leaves have not been lost in handling, and feeding losses will be lower.”
Coarse-stemmed hay usually indicates low feed value, meaning lower intake and increased waste.
Hay that contains noxious or potentially toxic weeds should be avoided, because the weeds may pose an animal health risk or introduce problem weeds to new areas. Weeds such as downy brome, scentless chamomile, leafy spurge and absinth can be difficult to eliminate once established.
Hay is not traded on commodity exchanges, so obtaining price information is a challenge. Regional supply and demand have a large impact on prices.
Tremblay suggested surveying market conditions locally, regionally and long distance.
“Local market information can be obtained by sales information from neighbours, local hay auction results, purchases by local livestock sales facilities and feedlots, and asking prices for hay advertised for sale in the local press.”
Price information, hay for sale or wanted, and a listing of custom operators are also available from Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Feed Grain and Forage Listing Service at 800-667-7564, and at www.agr.
gov.sk.ca/.
Alberta Agriculture’s hay and pasture list is at www.agric.gov.ab.
ca/store/haylist.html.
