Protein, Rained on Hay

Just wondering if anyone has ever had normal hay protein tested and then had some of the same field get rained on to see just what the difference is.

The age old story of cut it and get it wet vs wait till it's dry has been around a long time. I know wait till it's dry sucks, but was wondering about the rain.

Bet lots of others would like the answer too.

Mark

Hmmmm, Depends how she makes her living.

I'd tend to agree with you if she is just throwing a calf and trying to keep warm in the winter time.

But, if she is being run thru a herringbone two or three times a day for two thirds of the year & is pumping 100+ pounds of milk a day, she needs all the protein she can get. All this in addition to producing a calf.

This is the reason why dairies throw straight alfalfa at 'em instead of a grass or grass mix in addition to all that expensive corn and supplement, etc. I. E. High protein diet.

As usual, just my opinion,

Allan

1. Mixed grasses (coastal, dallis, maybe a tad of millet), weed free and 300# balanced fert + Kmag and supplemental minerals.Teddered after cutting and again after any rain. Then raked twice and square baled usually at 2 week intervals.

Is your nose any help; i.e. if it smells good (not quite like non-rain hay but not rancid either)did it loose any bang for horses?

2. Haygrazer sorghum, cut at the first sign of a boot in any stalk (weather permitting). Swather/conditioner cut and at 1/2 cure 1 rake and 1 more at full cure; round baled and field stacked end to end for cow/calf bovines on pasture.

Appreciate your help.

Mark

I would be concerned about the millet. Some interesting reading in 'Southern Forages' on the relationship of some unidentified toxins in millet causing knee inflamation.

I'd love to have that haygrazer rolled and wrapped as round baled silage! Sold some Sudex baleage last year at a strong premium. Fed some to my cows and they acted like it was so good they could smack their momma.

Thanks for the reply.

Mark