– Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle and Livestock Marketing Field Specialist, OSU Extension, Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension, Perry County, Stan Smith, PA, Fairfield County OSU Extension
Forage analysis from many Ohio counties make it apparent we should be concerned about forage quality!
“If you can’t change the situation, you adapt.” That’s a familiar mindset for many in agriculture, and it’s especially true in 2025. This growing season has brought another round of extreme weather across Ohio and the Midwest, making forage production unpredictable and challenging.
After what was considered one of the worst droughts in Ohio history in 2024, this year flipped the script with heavy spring rains and scattered summer storms. While the moisture helped pastures grow and may have allowed for multiple hay cuttings, it also made drying difficult. That led to inconsistent forage quality and a higher risk of mold and spoilage.
Recognizing the challenges producers are facing with forage quality, the Ohio State University Extension Beef Team launched a statewide effort to get a clearer picture of what’s really out there. Teaming up with 29 Extension educators across Ohio, 180 forage samples were collected and tested from local farms. Counties from which samples were collected are highlighted on the map above.
The results (see table below) show that many forages aren’t meeting the nutritional needs of spring-calving cows. Cows need about 49% TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients) starting three months before calving, and that climbs to 60% TDN at peak milk production. However, a lot of the grass hay and haylage tested falls short – grass hay ranged from 25.3% to 59.0% TDN, and haylage from 42.8% to 58.0% TDN.
Mixed hay and legume hay performed better, with TDN values reaching up to 69.6% and 61.9%, respectively. Whether you’re feeding spring or fall calving cows, now is a good time to test your forage and consider supplementation strategies to keep your herd healthy and productive.
Protein levels also varied widely, from 5.83 to 21.7 percent. Spring calving cows need at least 7 percent protein going into fall and around 11 percent at peak lactation. These numbers reflect maintenance needs only – they don’t account for weather stress or poor body condition going into winter.
There are many labs available to test your forages and getting that analysis done is one of the smartest steps you can take heading into the feeding season. Ohio State offers forage testing for a small fee, and the results can help you make better feeding decisions. Information on how to submit samples is available at: https://u.osu.edu/forageanalysis/ .
Considering today’s value of each pound of calf born and weaned, if ever there has been a year to “don’t guess, forage test” it would be this one!