Why Test Hay at All
Hay can look green and smell fresh yet still fall short on the nutrients your animals actually need, which is why a lab analysis gives far more useful information than appearance alone. A basic test typically reports crude protein, fiber content, and relative feed value, letting you match hay quality to the animals that will eat it rather than guessing.
Reading the Key Numbers
Crude protein tells you roughly how much of the hay’s weight is usable protein, while fiber measures like ADF and NDF indicate digestibility, with lower numbers generally meaning more digestible forage. Relative feed value combines these into a single comparative score, useful for shopping around or pricing your own hay fairly. Share results with a nutritionist or extension agent if you’re unsure how to balance a ration around what your hay actually provides.
