Tested hay auction is Jan. 13

From: http://wiscnews.com

The UW-Extension Dodge County office and the Dodge County Forage Council are pleased to announce a new tested hay auction that will be held on the second Tuesday of the month beginning Jan. 13, and continuing through April 14.

The tested hay sale will be conducted at the Beaver Dam Auction Market one mile north of Beaver Dam on Highway151 and Highway A.  Follow Highway A north less than one-tenth of a mile to Buckhorn Road and watch for signs.

Tested hay sales provide the buyer with important information about the load such as percent moisture, crude protein, percent neutral detergent fiber and percent acid detergent fiber. With that information, the relative feed value (hay quality) is calculated for the load of hay prior to the sale.  

This benefits the hay buyer because they have a very good idea how well suited the hay will be for their livestock.  This benefits the seller as well because the sale is made on more than just the visual appearance of the hay alone.

Although the size and shape of hay bales are numerous today compared to the common small square bale of years past, the final sale prices are listed as a price per ton for a specific quality range. This helps to set a price baseline, not only for the area but for the region as well because of the scarcity of tested hay auctions.

This will be one of only two tested hay auctions in Wisconsin that publish the results online for the general public.  

Forage testing will run from 10 a.m. to noon to allow time to process the samples and print data sheets for the buyers. The hay auction begins at 1 p.m.  

If you plan to sell hay, bring it early to assure that it is tested before the sale. If you have specific questions about the hay auction or the Beaver Dam Auction Market, call Dan at (414) 333-8625.

For additional information contact Matt Hanson at the Dodge County UW-Extension Office at 386-3790.