Gage County
1115 West Scott St.
Beatrice NE 68310
Phone: (402) 223-1384
FAX: (402) 223-1370

TDN THE GRASS and RFV THE ALFALFA

Take it from an expert on Hay, TDN the grass, but always RFV the alfalfa.

Alfalfa hay is variable in price. The highest quality alfalfa termed dairy quality hay used to be judged by the protein content and by the dry matter percentage. Today it is rated on Relative Feed Value (RFV). RFV is a calculated value which takes into account the moisture percentage, and energy digestibility of the forage. Dairy cows need fiber in their diet, and milk production has risen so much that each bite of fiber needs to supply energy for the cow to transform nutrients into milk. RFV values less than 125 are considered to be average quality hay, perhaps worth $60 ton at the current time with a relatively strong market. This would include most prairie, brome, and average quality alfalfa. RFV values from 125 to 150 are good quality hay and would generate an extra $15 to 20 dollars a ton. RFV greater than 150 are considered top quality dairy hay and would be priced from $40 to $70 per ton over average quality hay. Generally dairy quality alfalfa would be in a price range from $100 to 150 per ton. More mobile large square bales would bring the highest prices. Small square bales also bring a premium in the market.

Alfalfa is about the only forage we produce in quantity which can generate this high an RFV. When lab tests come back and show low RFV numbers for grass hay that is pretty normal. Grass hay is not a feed we would use with high performance lactating dairy cows. It is a great feed for maintenance rations for beef cows. We are more interested in the TDN or total digestible nutrients. The TDN value of grass hay would give of a good indication of when to feed the hay and how much supplementation we will need at critical times like late gestation, calving, and early post calving. Coupled with the moisture level of the hay and the crude protein value of the hay it tells the beef producer what they need to balance their ration.

Another market which has emerged is the market for low potassium grass hay. Prairie hay and brome hay tested for potassium level is of interest in the proper management of dry cows in dairy operations. Low testing hay can increase the value of the hay for dairy operators.

Grass hay of good quality would be valued at $60 per ton with higher values for large or small square bales. Grass hay in large round bales will weigh 1200 to 1800 pounds, while alfalfa bales would weigh 1500 to 2000 pounds depending on the baler, wrap, and moisture.

The Colorado snow situation at the current time reminds me to tell the readers the importance of transitioning cattle from one feed to another. Cattle off feed for several days are very susceptible to high nitrate feed. If Colorado ranchers grab the first feed they can find and it happens to be an untested high nitrate lot of hay, they could create a disaster. Just this kind of situation killed over 200 cows on one ranch in Western Nebraska when I was a young Extension Educator serving Frontier County.

For more information e-mail Paul C Hay at phay1@unl.edu or call 402-223-1384

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