Feeding - Quality of hay

[Martin]

I have recently started feeding hay from 2007, I had been using hay left over from 2006. The hay from 2007 although sweet smelling and bright was made late in the year and it seems good. But my cows started to lose a bit of condition, as it was late made it would seem that it does not have the feed value that my hay normally has, so I have had to start feeding a little hard feed to address the situation, I will at first try to put the condition lost back on and then cut back a little to keep that condition.
Just a warning for all to keep a close eye on your stock, especially those that outwinter and cows with thick coats, its easy for cows to lose condition and hard to put it back on, especially when they are in calf. It can also be difficult to see the difference in animals when you see them every day. I only see my cows in daylight at weekends and the difference in a couple of weeks was quite clear.

Martin. Medway Valley Dexters.

[Broomcroft]

We had our late haylage tested and it's very, very low in protein and energy, so we are supplementing by giving high protein haylage with lots of clover every other day or so.

[carole]

clive
I would be interested to know where you got your tests carried out and its costs, I have a worry about the haylage we made in July it was so very wet, but our last cut is really good and I would like to know its real value.

Thanks in anticipation.

Carole