Unpredictable Spring Weather Is Raising the Stakes for Hay Quality in 2026

MAGNIVA® Hay helps growers manage moisture variability and protect forage value during narrow harvest windows

As unpredictable spring weather compresses hay harvest windows across many regions, growers are increasingly forced to bale under less-than-ideal conditions. Rapid shifts in moisture, delayed field access and limited drying time are raising the risk of heating, mold and dry matter loss, putting both forage quality and the value of every ton at risk. With tighter margins and rising input costs, protecting forage investment has become more critical than ever. Lallemand Animal Nutrition is highlighting MAGNIVA® Hay, a research-backed, natural inoculant designed to help growers manage these challenges and maintain more consistent forage quality from field to storage.

Producing high-quality hay requires balancing moisture and timing, often under unpredictable conditions. When hay is baled too wet or exposed to changing weather, the risk of spoilage, mold and nutrient loss increases, reducing both forage value and return on investment.

“Hay growers are managing more weather and harvest variability than ever,” said Megan Smith, PhD, Global Forage Technical Project Manager and Hay Solutions Business Developer with Lallemand Animal Nutrition. “MAGNIVA Hay helps protect the nutritional value and consistency of hay cuttings during harvest, giving greater feed value and offers flexibility and confidence in how they feed the forage they work hard to produce.”

MAGNIVA Hay supports a more controlled and stable preservation process, helping maintain forage quality during storage. It features a research-proven, hay-specific bacterial strain, Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12674, combined with an enzyme that enhances preservation in higher-moisture hay and support nutrient retention after baling. By limiting undesirable microbial activity, it helps preserve dry matter and nutrients, protecting the investment already made in the forage and supporting more consistent forage quality.

Unlike propionic acid, MAGNIVA Hay is noncorrosive and safe for both equipment and handlers, while allowing baling at up to five percentage points higher moisture. This added flexibility allows growers to better manage narrow harvest windows, helping reduce weather-related delays, leaf loss, dust and heating risk, while preserving green color, aroma and nutrient density^1,2.

MAGNIVA Hay is part of Lallemand Animal Nutrition’s forage portfolio, backed by decades of research and on-farm experience, helping producers protect forage quality from harvest through feedout.

For more information, contact your Lallemand Animal Nutrition representative or visit www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com.