As a hay crop approaches maturity, the palatability and digestibility decrease. The stage of maturity at harvest largely determines its feeding value. Generally, grass hays should be harvested just as the seedhead appears. Alfalfa should be cut in the early bloom stage. The color of hay can be used as an indicator of the conditions under which the hay has been cured and stored.
Color primarily is an indication of the care with which the hay was handled.
A natural green color is usually indicative of proper curing and storage. Hay that has been exposed to the sun too long, rained on or wet from dew, will lose its green color. Leafiness Leafiness is primarily of importance when dealing with legume hays. This is because a large portion of the feeding value of a legume is in the leaves. The most desirable condition for a legume hay is to have many leaves attached to the stem.