Lucerne (approximately 10% flowering, 270 g dry matter kg~') and timothy (boot stage, 310 g dry matter kg"') were harvested and allowed to wilt for a period of 52-5 h. During the early stages of wilting of lucerne there were increases in the proportion of leaf material (dry weight basis), as well as increases in total available carbohydrate and water soluble carbohydrate concentrations. Approximately 50% of the leaf material in lucerne and in timothy was lost after a drying period of 52-5 h and after tedding and raking operations prior to baling of the hay. This resulted in considerable reduction in the protein content of both lucerne and timothy. (Results are means (and standard errors) of three samples. t DM basis. J CP=crude protein; TAC = total available carbohydrates; WSC = water soluble carbohydrates.