1. Forage Management Unit for Adults Lesson 4: Making, Harvesting, and Storing Quality Forage and Seed

2. Direction and Purpose to: Obtain knowledge and information resources necessary to make intelligent decisions for maximum profitability and quality forage harvesting, storage, and seed production.

3. Producing Quality Hay Hay quality makes the difference Use cost-benefit analysis Examine protein-nitrogen relationships Recommended stages for harvest

4. Stretching Winter Forage Supplies Stockpiling forages Extends grazing season Minimizes production costs Utilizing Crop residues Feeding Practices

5. Problems with Putting Up Quality Forage Weather Toxicity and Poisons to livestock Nitrate toxicity Prussic acid poisoning

6. Problems with Putting Up Quality Forage Insect and animal pests Deer Grasshopper Blister Beetle Alfalfa Aphid Alfalfa Weevil Armyworm (Moth)

7. Methods of Hay Storage Round bale storage Use of preservatives

8. Do…..

9. Don’t…..

10. Proper Forage Sampling and Analysis Collect forage samples Proper sampling equipment Forage tests & laboratories

11. Need a cross- section sample of of entire bale See picture for positioning For square bales take core sample from the end of bale. Proper Hay Sampling Method

12. Evaluating Forage Quality Understand/Interpret feed analysis reports NDF/ADF Energy Content Protein Feed value for livestock Visual appraisal

13. Silage Production Procedures & Techniques Harvesting Ensiling Adding anhydrous ammonia Adding urea Baling

14. Seed Production Procedures and Techniques Cool Season Grasses Red Clover

15. Conclusions Understanding what quality forage is Taking proper forage samples Knowing locations of laboratories Realizing livestock nutrition needs

16. continued… Determining if stored forage will meet nutritional needs of livestock Understanding steps necessary for putting up quality forage Realizing most economical storage methods

17. continued… Being aware of possible ways to stretch winter forage supplies Knowing management procedures and techniques necessary for quality silage and seed production

18. Putting Knowledge into Practice… Utilize forage test information to make the necessary management decisions for livestock nutritional requirements.