I appreciate the suggestion. However I feel better NOT selling low quality hay. In fact even poor quality hay has more nutrient/feed value than I'm likely to net on the exchange for corn stalks.  I only bed in very cold weather. Otherwise the cows can bed themselves in the woods.

Hay is very short in many areas this year due to the wet spring etc.  If I'm very careful, especially after weaning, I think I can balance the good bales with the lower quality bales, giving the calves the highest quality and maybe alternating high and low quality to the older cows.

Key thing I watch is ribs. I don't want to see any bovine ribs all winter and into grazing season next May. If they have some fat cover over the ribs the cows will be just fine.  Steers and heifers, especially bred heifers, are growing and need my best hay.