Resulting in improved quality. All these changes lower feeding value. For example, leaf and quality loss is often associated with insect feeding and disease pressure. The presence of weeds in hay almost always reduces forage quality because most weeds are less palatable and nutritious than hay. Rainfall Like environmental factors, weather conditions after hay is cut influence quality.
Rain is a continual threat .
The force of raindrops hitting drying hay disconnects leaves from the stem. The wetting and drying process increases the potential for leaf shatter. Rain-damaged hay can be brittle after drying, so it is more susceptible to loss during raking or baling. Extra operations may also be necessary to dry the rewetted hay, and these may increase mechanical losses and reduce forage quality. Leaching of soluble nutrients is the primary cause of quality loss.