At the Dairy Expo in Wisconsin the winner of The World Forage Analysis Superbowl was Ervin Gara III from Torrington, Wyo. Gara captured first place in the commercial hay category with hay that had a RFV of 302. Gara’s entry came from a fourth alfalfa cutting and had a RFV of 302. The entry tested 24.6% crude protein, 23.1% NDF and 53.9% NDF digestibility.

How does a grower produce alfalfa with a RFQ of 302? That seems almost impossible. In the fall that isn’t unusual," said Bruce Anderson, forage extension specialist at the University of Nebraska. "Alfalfa harvested in the late fall will often have RFVs in the mid to upper 200s."

Anderson explained that plants are short, growth is leafy, and roughage is low in fiber and very digestible. However the down side is that yields with only be half to three quarters of a ton and the energy levels are down.

Anderson believes it is not practical to shoot for such high RFVS except for perhaps contests. Harvest has to be done in late September or early October and drying the hay and keeping it in condition are a challenge.

And how useful is hay with an RFV at 300? "Once we start getting over 200 it becomes less valuable," said Anderson. "It looses its scratch factor and because energy value is down it has to be blended with lower quality hays."