Forage prices and availability differ based on quality and regional differences. Conditions like drought can also increase price increased demand for forages as well as less production. The prices used for the above comparison represent current prices for good quality alfalfa and average to poor quality grass hay in the Midwest. 

Additionally, supplement availability and prices will also differ for regions. As a result, strategies may differ for producers in different regions under different conditions. 

Strategies

• Test forages – knowing the quality of the forages will allow for more of a strategic approach to target more specific requirements by the animal
• Consider selling better-quality forages and feeding poorer quality forages with a supplement – depending on forage prices, a diet with a poor-quality forage and a quality supplement like POET Pellets can often result in a more profitable strategy
• Drought conditions can reduce forage quality or forage availability – when purchasing hay, looking for “deals” on poorer-quality hay and then supplementing with POET Pellets and Cubes can often make more sense then over-feeding nutrients with a high-quality forage
• Work with a nutritionist to evaluate formulation options – contact your local nutritionists and request best-cost formulation options. You can also reach out to your POET feed ingredients’ contact to request different formulation options

Producers should always use these strategies when deciding on which forage management program to use. However, when forage prices start to increase, evaluating different options and incorporating different strategies become even more important.