Introduction
During the January 2025 Small Ruminant Webinar, Dr. Garland Dahlke, research scientist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, discussed how wet growing and harvest conditions can significantly reduce forage quality and alter feeding strategies for sheep and goat producers. Using forage samples from a weather-challenged production year, Dr. Dahlke demonstrated how delayed harvest, rain exposure, and high-moisture baling affect nutrient availability, intake, and overall feeding costs.
About this video
A central theme of the presentation was that forage energy is often the first and most severely affected nutrient when weather interferes with hay production. Losses of sugars and other non-fiber carbohydrates, combined with reduced fiber digestibility, can limit animal intake and performance—even when crude protein levels appear adequate on a forage test. These challenges are especially important during periods of high nutrient demand, such as late gestation and early lactation.
Dr. Dahlke concluded by emphasizing practical management strategies for weather-damagedforage, including routine forage testing, careful ration balancing, and thoughtful supplementation. Rather than relying solely on grain, he encouraged producers to consider digestible fiber sources to support rumen health, maintain milk fat, and improve overall efficiency when feeding lower-quality hay.
Key Points
- Weather-related delays commonly reduce forage energy before protein
- Rain-damaged hay often limits intake due to higher fiber and lower digestibility
- Mold does not always indicate mycotoxins, but testing helps guide decisions
- High‑moisture, acid-treated hay does not continue drying in storage
- Poor-quality forage increases supplementation needs, particularly in late gestation and lactation
- Digestible fiber sources (e.g., soy hulls, beet pulp) can replace lost energy while supporting rumen health
Published: April 28, 2026
