Take a trip anywhere across Illinois, and you’ll see thousands of acres in production producing high-quality animal feed. Dive into this project with hands-on learning about hay, alfalfa, and other crops grown as animal feed. Focus on growing, harvesting, and understanding the importance of the plants we use to feed livestock.

Exploring 4-H

Hay production is the foundation of livestock agriculture. From the grass in your backyard to the alfalfa fields across Illinois, hay provides essential nutrition for cattle, horses, sheep, and other animals year-round. Quality hay production involves understanding plant science, weather patterns, soil health, and proper harvesting techniques.

Explore - Visit local farms during hay season to see cutting, tedding, and baling operations in action

Practice - Start a small plot of forage grasses or legumes to understand growth patterns and timing

Analyze - Test hay samples for protein content, moisture levels, and nutritional value

Harvest - Learn proper timing for cutting different forage types to maximize quality and yield

Spark Activity: Hay Quality Assessment

What makes high-quality hay?
How can you tell the difference between good and poor hay?
What factors affect when farmers decide to cut their hay?
How does weather impact hay production and storage?

4-H Project Levels and Goals
Beginner
  • Identify common forage plants (alfalfa, timothy, clover, orchard grass)
  • Understand the hay-making process from field to barn
  • Learn to evaluate hay quality by sight, smell, and touch
  • Understand basic plant growth stages and optimal cutting times
Intermediate
  • Understand soil tilth
  • Learn about soil tests and what nutrients to watch for
  • Identify common weeds, diseases, and insects
  • Learn about careers in crops
  • Understand growing degree days
  • Calculate production costs
Advanced
  • Conduct soil tests and understand nutrient requirements for different forages
  • Calculate yield per acre and cost analysis for hay production
  • Use hay testing to determine protein, fiber, and energy content
  • Develop a comprehensive forage management plan, including seeding, fertilization, and harvest schedules
Put Your Project Into Action

Show Your Skills

  • Create a display showing different types of hay and their uses
  • Demonstrate proper hay sampling techniques
  • Display a collection of forage seeds with identification labels
  • Present a photo story of the hay-making process from planting to storage

Service and Leadership

  • Donate quality hay to local animal shelters or rescues
  • Teach younger 4-H members about forage identification
  • Create educational materials about sustainable forage production
  • Organize a forage judging contest for your county fair
  • Help elderly community members test their hay quality

Entrepreneurship

  • Start a small-scale hay operation and sell to local horse owners
  • Offer hay testing services to local farmers
  • Create value-added products like compressed hay cubes
  • Develop a consultation service for new forage producers

Technology Connection

  • GPS-guided mowing and baling equipment
  • Moisture meters for optimal baling conditions
  • Weather monitoring apps for harvest timing
  • Near-infrared spectroscopy for instant hay analysis
  • Drone technology for field monitoring

Connecting with a Mentor

  • Local hay producers and dairy farmers
  • Extension agronomists
  • Feed mill nutritionists
  • Agricultural equipment dealers
  • NRCS conservation specialists

Events

  • 4-H Illini Summer Academies
  • Crops judging contests
  • County and state fairs and shows
  • Attend adult pesticide applicator training workshops through University of Illinois Extension
  • Farm Progress Show
  • Crop Research Field Days - Illinois Extension
  • University of Illinois Commercial Ag Programs
  • County fair hay exhibits
  • Farm tours during hay season
  • Hay quality workshops

Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements

  • Hay Project Resource Guide

Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store. 

View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.

Careers
Career
  • Farmer
  • Animal Nutritionist
  • Feed Mill Manager
  • Soil Scientist
  • Agronomist
  • Crop Consultant
  • Plant Breeder
  • Extension Educator
  • Seed Company -
  • Marketing, Sales, Seed Quality Testing, or Grower
Start a Conversation
  • What are integrated crop management principles?
  • How do you calculate growing degree days?
  • How can new technology change the way field crops are grown?
Resources
Crops and Soils Record Form

Be informed. Ask a Question.

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