Livestock & Small Animals

OSU Extension Offering Hay Testing Program

Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, OSU Extension

(Image Source: Davis Equine Service)

“Make hay while the sun shines.” How many times have you heard that said throughout the years? We’ve had some sunshine this spring/summer, but making first cutting “dry” hay has really been challenging for most farmers this year. Getting two or more days in a row without rain has been rare in the spring of 2025.

In response to these challenges OSU Extension is offering a forage testing program with the goal of providing timely education regarding forage quality and winter supplementation and if enough samples are submitted, creating an eBarn’s county hay quality summary. Reach out to your local Extension office to confirm that they are participating in the testing program and the availability of a forage sampling probe.

To participate you may submit dry hay or baleage samples to your local OSU Extension office by July 31, 2025 along with a Hay Sample Submission form for each sample, and include this completed program summary sheet with your payment. The first sample analysis will cost $15, with subsequent samples costing $20. Near Infrared (NIR) Analysis will be completed. In return producers will receive values for Dry Matter Content, Total Digestible Nutrients, Crude Protein, ADF, NDF, Ash, Fat, C, P, K for each sample submitted.

For more detailing the challenges of making hay during a wet May and June, see You Finally Got the Hay Made, How Good is It? by Mark Landefeld, retired Monroe County ANR Extension Educator.

Note: Washington County Extension has a hay sampling probe to borrow

How and Why to Test for Forage Quality

Interested in testing your forage quality? OSU Extension, Washington County has a hay probe you can borrow.

The forage probe requires their own drill, “1/2” drill works best”, or a 3/8” drill with adapter

Requires a $25 deposit and a signed form acknowledging financial responsibility for damage etc.  Laymen’s terms, you brake it, you bought it.

Forage Analysis (dry samples only) prices: https://u.osu.edu/forageanalysis/sample-page/

Sample Submission: https://u.osu.edu/forageanalysis/sample-submission/

 

How and Why to Test for Forage Quality

June 7 – Market Goat, Market Lamb, Dairy Feeder Steer Tag-in

Required Tag-in for Market Lambs, Market Goats, Dairy Feeder Steers will be Saturday, June 7 from 7—9:00 am at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Watch for road signs to indicate lineup locations.

Time: 7-9 am

All Market Goats & Market Lambs must have a Scrapie Tag in the ear by the June 7 tag-in. The Scrapie Tag should be put in by the breeder or where you purchased your animals.

Blue Breed Verification Cards Required for Dairy Feeder Steers – due June 1 – must be signed by dairy farmer where purchased in Ohio and include the ODA Producer number. Cards are available from the OSU Extension Office, your advisor or printed here:  Dairy Feeder Breed Verification Blue Card 2025

Dehorning and castration must be done prior to tag-in. The Fair Vet – Dr Luke Morrow will be checking animals during tag-in but WILL NOT be castrating or dehorning animals at tag-in. If this is not done to the Vet’s satisfaction, the animal will not be tagged.

Breeding Animal Leases Due June 1

If you are enrolled in a breeding animal or dairy project, you are being mailed a letter with the following information.  If you do not own the breeding animal you are planning to show, then a lease must be completed and returned the OSU Extension Office by June 1, 2025.

Read the rules here: Ohio Youth Livestock Exhibition Rules 4.17.23

If you need to complete a lease, all leases are due to OSU Extension by June 1:

Just to clarify, leases are not needed for market animals as ALL market animals must be fully owned by the exhibitor or household. This leasing information is only for members that do not own their breeding animals.

Save the Date- Market Turkey, Chickens and Duck

All market poultry for Washington County have been ordered and arrival dates have been set.  Please note that the following dates are the week we expect the birds to arrive.  The birds will be shipped and available for pick up at Heritage Cooperative located at 219 Third Street Marietta.  Members will be notified once birds ship with an approximate time for pick up, however this time needs to remain flexible as shipping times and days may vary.  Members should be ready to receive birds and bring something to transport them home in.  Pens at home should be cleaned and disinfected and ready for new arrivals.  It is also good practice to call the feed store to order feed before you receive the birds.  This allows the store to be sure they have feed in stock for you when you arrive.  The following are the days that birds will ship.  Market turkey- May 20, market chicken- July 8, and market duck- July 8.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact our office at 740-376-7431.