Early-season drought conditions across much of the country have affected the hay supply. Beyond basic availability, there are concerns about nutritional value, dependability of the hay source and what is in hay bought from an outside source.
Whether buying hay for horses or cattle, there are important considerations to get the quality and value animals need. The five articles here reference the hay supply, using fresh-cut hay and evaluating hay quality, as well as avoiding scams.
Sources:
- Hay supply short and spendy, Missouri Ruralist, June 21, 2023. Link.
- Is it safe to feed my horses hay fresh from the field, The Horse, April 26, 2021. Link.
- Hay judging: Evaluating hay quality based on sight, smell and feel, Oklahoma State University Extension, April 2017. Link.
- Selling hay demands trust and honesty, Hay and Forage Grower, November 2021. Link.
- Be cautious: Don’t get scammed when buying or selling hay, Tri-State Livestock News, August 2022. Link.