Clover that was cut in the Full-Bloom stage will have no seeds at most a few that are shrunken. The dark-brown color of the clover heads and the presence of plump, mature seeds indicate full Maturity. Smell or odor may have a more significant effect in horses but a bad odor may indicate a potential digestive problem in livestock. The general comparison is the smell of freshly mown hay. Mildew, mustiness, or rotten odors indicate a lower quality and less acceptance by livestock.
Color gives the indication that the hay was cured under good conditions.
If the hay is green in color it goes more favorably for the hay. Do not be fooled into using color alone as a determining factor in the quality of hay. Green hay may also be of inferior nutritional quality to off-colored hays and some brown hays. Sun bleaching could cause green hay to loose it's color but still be of high quality. Another process that will lower the quality of green hay is bailing when too much moisture is present.