How Forage Testing Improves Livestock Performance and Feed Efficiency
Anyone who feeds livestock knows that hay isn’t just hay. Two bales cut from the same field can vary wildly in nutrition, moisture, and overall quality. To your animals, those differences matter. What they eat affects everything — energy levels, weight gain, milk production, digestion, and overall health. That’s where forage testing comes in.
Forage testing gives you a clear picture of what’s actually in the hay you’re feeding. Instead of guessing or relying on color and texture alone, you get real data that helps you make better decisions for your animals and your wallet.
(Brown cows eating hay on the ground covered in snow.)
At Ohana Farms, we encourage hay buyers to test forage regularly because quality can shift from cutting to cutting, and even from stack to stack. With a simple test, you gain control and remove the guesswork.
Knowing What’s Going Into Your Animal
Think of forage testing as reading the label on a feed bag — except now, you’re creating that label for your hay. Most livestock owners supplement feed based on what they think the hay provides. But hay can range from nutrient-dense to nearly empty depending on cutting timing, field management, weather, and storage.
With a forage test, you know exactly what your animals are taking in. That means you can:
- Adjust rations for better balance
- Prevent vitamin or mineral deficiencies
- Avoid overfeeding expensive supplements
- Support overall health and performance
This is especially important for high-performing animals like dairy goats, show cattle, lactating mares, or horses with specific dietary needs. When you know the nutrient levels, you’re no longer feeding blind — you’re feeding with intention.
Identifying Good Hay vs. Bad Hay
Good hay isn’t just green and sweet-smelling. Sometimes hay that looks great on the outside can test low in protein or energy. On the flip side, hay that isn’t the prettiest can still test surprisingly well.
Forage testing helps you spot:
- High-moisture hay that may mold in storage
- Low-protein hay that causes weight loss
- Excess fiber that reduces digestibility
- Mycotoxins or contaminants
- Heat-damaged hay with reduced nutrients
Every livestock owner has bought hay that “looked fine” only to find animals refusing it or losing weight. Testing prevents those surprises.
Understanding What the Test Results Actually Mean
Most forage labs provide a report that can feel a bit overwhelming at first glance. But once you know what the numbers represent, everything clicks. Here are the most important values you’ll see and what they tell you:
1. Crude Protein (CP)
This measures the total protein content of the hay. Protein affects muscle development, milk production, and growth.
- Higher CP = better for growing, lactating, or working animals.
- Lower CP = fine for maintenance diets.
2. Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN)
TDN reflects energy level. Animals need energy for weight gain, milk production, and overall body condition.
- 35–55% = low quality
- 55–65% = moderate quality
- 65%+ = high quality
3. Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF)
ADF shows how easy the hay is to digest.
- Lower ADF = more digestible hay and higher energy.
- Higher ADF = lower quality and lower intake.
4. Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF)
NDF helps predict how much hay an animal will actually eat.
- Low NDF = animals will eat more.
- High NDF = animals fill up faster and may eat less.
5. Moisture Content
This tells you if hay is safe to store and feed.
- Above ~18% moisture increases risk of mold and heat damage.
- Too dry leads to leaf loss and reduced nutrition.
These numbers act as a roadmap, helping you build diets that match your animals’ needs instead of relying on guesswork.
How Better Forage Leads to Better Feed Efficiency
Feed efficiency is all about making sure your animals get the most value out of everything they consume. When you know the nutrient makeup of your hay, you can reduce waste — not just wasted feed, but wasted money.
With accurate forage testing, livestock producers often find they can lower grain costs, improve average daily gain, and support stronger immune function. Animals don’t have to work as hard to digest their feed, and you aren’t overspending on supplements that may not be necessary.
At the end of the day, better forage produces healthier animals, fewer vet visits, better performance, and a more predictable feeding program.
Take Control of Your Feeding Program
Forage testing may seem small, but it can transform the way you feed and manage your herd. It gives you clarity, confidence, and the power to make decisions based on facts, not assumptions.
At Ohana Farms, we’re committed to producing high-quality hay that performs consistently — and we always encourage customers to test so they know they’re getting exactly what their animals need.
If you’ve never tested your hay before, consider making it part of your feeding routine. Your livestock will feel the difference, and so will your bottom line.
