Alfalfa has two to three times as much calcium as grass hays. Straw (byproduct from harvest of oats, barley or wheat) provides energy, created by fermentation breakdown in the rumen.

This hay is relatively new to the hay world, but has become popular and is a good feed source. That lower quality forage may require supplementation, which can be costly. Alfalfa has two to three times as much calcium as grass hays.

Ca:P Ratio - 1.3:1.

Sheep tend to love alfalfa and will happily eat it.

To ensure you're getting proper nutrition, choose wheat-free bread and cereal products that are made with whole grains, such as buckwheat, quinoa, millet, amaranth and flax, says Holtzer. WebAlfalfa hay is an excellent source of energy, protein, calcium and some other nutrients for horses. Rain can ruin baled hay by causing mold. Registered in England and Wales.

Copyright 2023. The only silver lining might be having a buyer that would never pay for higher forage quality, so you can grow higher tonnage of beardless wheat that can still be safely fed.

Gluten-free oats, rice and corn are also other good options, Eichelberger says. Shutterstock.

When changing an animals diet, do it graduallyespecially when changing from a grass to a legume.

Read my article How Many Bales Of Hay Do Sheep Need?

Types of hay will vary based on where you live. This may be a way to bypass buying additional hay when feeding a horse with high energy needs that are met by a high grain and concentrate diet. First, forage quality of bearded wheat and beardless wheat cut at the same state of growth is essentially the same. Fig.

Grain hays comprised of sorghum grass and Johnson grass hay should NOT be fed to horses because of toxicity levels of these plants. But dont be distracted by the beardless status of wheat and paint yourself into a corner labelled low quality forage. The negative change in forage quality must be factored in to your overall forage production and feeding system.

A&A. Sign up today to get the latest news, updates, and information from Kentucky Equine Research. There is often more waste as horses will sort through the hay, looking for grain or sorting

200 tons big bale wheat straw $105 fob stack.

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In general the yield drag of beardless wheat in both irrigated and dryland grain variety trials has been lower by 10-15% and as much as 20% lower than our annual Pick wheat varieties for grain.

A few short awns (1/2) are observed on TAM 204 (left) vs. TAM 401.

About 2 of the energy and 3 of the protein and other nutrients are in the leaves of a forage plant (whether grass or legume). But it must be cut before the dough stage.



The triticale can get chin high, but you can still hay it because it has a sweet stem and cattle like it a lot, Garnett says.

Thus alfalfa is often fed to animals that need more protein and minerals. Dusty hay is not great either.

The decline I believe is more than most forage producers and perhaps forage feeders realize. Hay for horses should never contain dust or mold, as it may lead to coughing and respiratory problems. J. Keeler Johnson. A unique education agency, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service teaches Texans wherever they live, extending research-based knowledge to benefit their families and communities. They provide the following recommendations for triticale grain fed to horses: Limit the cereal grain to not more than 500g per 100kg body weight per meal, or not more than 4g of starch per kg body weight per meal. 2020 EquiMed, LLC. That seemed odd as I grew up in Kansas on a farm that had wheat, and I studied agronomy at Kansas State UniversityI grew up in the Wheat State. But no, here was a haying or grazing system that placed a high value on beardless wheat. Straw from more mature cereal grains can be fed to horses almost exclusively as a fiber source.

2.

Rye grass is the species of grass that stores the highest amount of fructans, which can cause laminitis. Though there are many on the market, we recommend Micro-Max, (look for Gold Pellet in Australia) a pelleted product formulated by the nutritionists at Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

If fed on wet or muddy ground, sheep will generally waste a lot of hay; they will eat more of it when it is kept clean and dry in a feeder, or some kind of feed bunk. Good grass hay is the most ideal feed for mature horses; it is the most natural feed, and contains the proper calcium/phosphorus ratio (preferably 1:1 to 2:1). Grain hays are high in digestible fiber which are readily broken down by microbes in the cecum or hind gut of horses when harvested at a soft dough stage although rice hays often fall in the poorly digested range. hb```f``a`b`z |@1&-K That seemed odd as I grew up in Kansas on a farm that had wheat, and I studied agronomy at Kansas State UniversityI grew up in the Wheat State. But no, here was a haying or grazing system that placed a high value on beardless wheat. Factors that can affect nutritional value include plant species in the hay, fertility of soil, harvesting methods (whether the hay was conditioned or crimped to dry faster and lose less leaves and nutrients during drying) and curing time. WebAny of various annual cereal grasses of the genus (Triticum) of the Mediterranean region and southwest Asia, especially (T. aestivum), widely cultivated in temperate regions in many varieties for its commercially important edible grain.

Calvin TrostleProfessor and Extension SpecialistLubbock, TX803.746.6101ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu. Cutting at the proper time means animals will eat the entire hay stem with little waste. Some reports show that horses fed millet hay may show symptoms of lameness and joint swelling. Hay falls into several categories: grass, legume, mixed (grass and legume) and cereal grain straw (such as oat hay). Grain hays are high in digestible fiber which are readily broken down by microbes in the cecum or hind gut of horses when harvested at a soft dough stage. Varieties that dont have a beard are referred to as awnless or beardless varieties.

Overly mature hay is basically bedding. Rye bread. However, some types of mold may cause abortion in pregnant cows. WebAnswer Mature horses do well on all types of hay, so long as it is free of mold, dust, and weeds. Low sugar varieties of grass hay are best if you can get it, or a mix of grass & alfalfa. Low sugar varieties of grass hay are best if you can get it, or a mix of grass & alfalfa. Good palatable grass hay, cut while still green and growing, can be very adequate. Varieties that dont have a beard are referred to as awnless or beardless varieties. Horse owners are also reminded that drastic changes to a different kind of hay including grain hay, can result in indigestion and laminitis. https://lubbock.tamu.edu/programs/crops/other-field-crops/forage/, https://sanangelo.tamu.edu/extension/agronomy/agronomy-publications/growth-stages-of-wheat/. Get high quality hay. One way to assess the maturity of alfalfa hay is the snap test.

Alfalfa #2 But with some planning, feeding hay during the winter months can be a simple and efficient alternative while waiting the return of springs lush pastures. But, then there are cases in which Mother Nature can dictate haying decisions. Young calves have tender mouths and cannot chew coarse hay very wellwhether grass or alfalfa. Grass Hay averages 10.8% protein and 12.9% NSC.



Selecting barley hay that has been cut at the milky dough stage, so the grain and the barley awns are not fully developed is important when using it as feed for horses. Currently I feed equal amounts of both and no grain. Replacement stock, like ewe lambs, also need higher quality hay than maintenance needs sheep. If you are considering purchasing this type of hay, it can be tested for nitrate content.

Sudangrass is 56%, fescue 53%, prairie 51%, baled milo stubble 49%, and baled corn stover 49%. Were you aware of the issue? If goats are fed coarse hay, they may eat the leaves but not the stems.

Alfalfa #2 But all hay tends to weather because the sun bleaches the outside of the bales.

Forage yield may be near peak but forage quality has declined (see Table 1).

Do you see what my concern is?

Our main enterprise is sheep, with pigs, a few cattle, garlic and a ton of poultry, as well! Wheat hay, if harvested right, can fit the bill, just like it does for stockers and other cattle in winter grazing programs. To manage weeds or pests in a mixed stand of hay, the field is mowed.

Good hay will be uniformly green and sweet smelling, with no brown spots or moldy portions. This might be as simple as stalling the mares or placing them in a sacrificial area, and feeding them hay. There are a few reasons why, the sheep and farming practices. Your flock might eat it, but this hay will not give them the nutrition they need for their health and performance. Be sure you are seeing lots of leaves when you open up a bale. In other outlets I have discussed the grain yield drag that typically occurs with beardless wheats in grain production. Second-cut alfalfa usually has a higher stem-to-leaf ratio but is lower in crude proteinabout 16 percent on average.

How can you tell if you have overly mature hay? Are hoof abscesses connected to liver disease? The good news about orchard grass is that it seems to grow well around here and has been a classic hay choice for years.



Unless you are buying from a fellow shepherd (who has nice sheep), be sure you ask for horse or dairy quality hay. Alfalfa Hay (also known as Legume Hay) averages 21.2% protein and 11% NSC (simple starches).

Beardless wheat hay is acceptable for horses, though it might take some time for them to become acclimated to it, as some horses must acquire a taste for it.

Important factors to keep in mind for horse hay are the nutritional needs of the animals (mature horses will not need high protein or calcium levels unless they are mares nursing foals), and the way the hay was harvested.

Give it a try and see how your gals like it. Table 1.

Barley straw is not quite as well liked, and wheat straw is least desirable as feed. Chemical weed sprays can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not recommended by some vets.

They provide the following recommendations for triticale grain fed to horses: Limit the cereal grain to not more than 500g per 100kg body weight per meal, or not more than 4g of starch per kg body weight per meal. Clover hay is often overlooked when shepherds are seeking high quality hay for their flock. Or animals simply are not growing as much. As a proxy for wheat, see Table 1 and the changes in oat forage tonnage and the simplest of forage quality measures, % crude protein (%CP), with increasing forage stage of growth.

As browsers, goats eat a wide variety of plants when roaming free, and will eat some of the weeds and other undesirable plants that other animals will not.

A cost-effective way of feeding some horses. For the lower price, producers can receive a good forage that can provide vital nutrients.



ANSWER.

Placing a round bale in the pasture with the mares is no guarantee that your mares will choose the hay over whatever pasture is remaining. As a general rule of thumb, grass hay is best for horsesalfalfa or other legume hay can be an excellent feed to mix with grass hay for animals that need more protein. Q: What type of hay should I feed my horse?

200 tons big bale wheat straw $105 fob stack.

2016 by Henrik Sendelbach, According to Dr. Getty, "Oat hay is an excellent feed for horses.

For example, some growers expecting 80-100 bu. The nutritional value goes downhill in a hurry., Adds Hansen, If cattlemen are buying wheat hay, it may be wise to determine when it was harvested. It is less apt to contain blister beetles (which are deadly if eaten), and it often has a little grass mixed in.

Made on time, first cutting hay is the great all round hay for nearly any livestock (except for high needs animals).

This can become important when considering the ideal Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for horses, which should The top and bottom layers of unprotected baled hay are particularly susceptible to mold since the top layer is exposed to the elements, and the bottom may have sat on the ground, drawing moisture.

Just because she has a pattern?of fat distribution typical of certain laminitis-prone breeds (Arabians, Morgans and Quarter Horse types, for example) does not mean she is in imminent danger of developing the disease, especially given that other risk factors are low: You are feeding no grain and did not even mention pasture access. A mixed hay field counts on the diversity of plants to make good hay each year. Traditional feeds for horses include grass or alfalfa hay, corn, oats, a sweet feed of some type or commercially developed feed.

Depending on the area of the country in which it is grown, oat hay can be low in protein and contain only marginal calcium, phosphorus and carotene.

Usually the best forage hay is locally grown and is not overly irrigated so it does not develop large stems. Alfalfa Hay (also known as Legume Hay) averages 21.2% protein and 11% NSC (simple starches). More mature oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat. Read the article on Red Clover at MU Extension for more details on the potential of red clover hay for your sheep.





Do you see what my concern is? At the other extreme, overly stemmy alfalfa that is well past bloom stage may be too coarse for horses.

(Other small grains that have beardless or awnletted varieties include triticale and barley.). In northern parts of the United States, timothy is widely grown because it tolerates cold weather and grows early in spring. Wheat can make excellent hay. Of course, timothy hay can be make when it is overly mature, like any other hay. During the cold winter months when pastures contain scant forage, hay is the typical diet for cattle, horses, sheep and goats.

In oats there is no issue with beards, but the trends of increasing forage dry matter and decreasing forage feed value raise the question of what is the optimum time to mow the oats. If ingested, wire can cause hardware disease in cattle by perforating the gut and causing fatal peritonitis because they do not sort out foreign materials before eating. Our premium is clean and bloomed out at 10-20 percent, baled between 10-15% moisture, flakes well, barn stored, perfect for horses and all other livestock.

You want these gals to be in great shape for breeding, this means keeping them growing at their best up until breeding time or holding them over to breed next year.



600 tons Premium beardless wheat hay $140; 125 tons Good big bale beardless wheat hay with few weeds $125; 800 tons Low quality beardless wheat hay rained on in windrow or rained on top bales $75.

They can grow as long as five inches in some varieties. This includes popular varieties like TAM 401 (Fig. Fig. Alfalfa is also a good winter feed because heat is created by digestion of protein, so a horse can keep warmer on a cold night. Also, you will be less apt to have spoilage from a leak in the tarp if the water can run off readily. Home The Safest Hay for Laminitis-Prone Horses. First-cut alfalfa can be stemmy, but only if it is too mature when harvested.

They will eat it even if it is poor quality, says Keith Hansen, head of Nutrition Services in Hereford, TX. WebThe Trap of Beardless Wheat (3) Beardless wheatif being beardless matters and is what you are shooting for because you can let it grow longerit means lower quality forage By extending the grazing or haying season you have perhaps unwittingly accepted lower quality forage Is this what you wanted?

endstream endobj startxref How much hay will your flock need this year? range seen this spring and summer, more wheat is harvested for grain, whether cattle were grazed on it or not. Notice I wrote a bit dusty. Hay that is really dusty should be avoided. The nutrition the horse needs, the cost of the hay, and the availability of the feed needs to be carefully balanced to make owning a horse possible for many people.

Three string, 100lb bales.

To ensure you're getting proper nutrition, choose wheat-free bread and cereal products that are made with whole grains, such as buckwheat, quinoa, millet, amaranth and flax, says Holtzer. WebIn general the yield drag of beardless wheat in both irrigated and dryland grain variety trials has been lower by 10-15% and as much as 20% lower than our annual Pick wheat varieties for grain. Nutrition information provided is on an "as fed" basis. In some parts of the country fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common.

Sign up for free now! The highest quality hay can have an 18% protein count, is very palatable, with a sweet taste that cattle like.

of wheat/acre in the northwest Texas Panhandle near Perryton received heavy hail that either completely damaged the crop or knocked down its yield potential by 50% or more. Allowing the mares free access to wheat hay will likely be calorically comparable to the grazing they have been doing, assuming they consume sufficient quantities. ANSWER. In this article, we look at 11 alternatives to bread made from wheat. The later cuttings will have the finest stems, growing more slowly during the cooler fall season.

If you are planning to graze the wheat, it will take a few weeks to a month after planting for the wheat to be fully tillered. Varieties that dont have a beard are referred to as awnless or beardless varieties. Alfalfa has about 16 to 20 percent protein, while grass hays are only 8 to 10 percent protein. According to horse nutritionist Dr. Juliet Getty, "Grain hays tend to be higher in nitrates. Thus legume hay, cut early, is more apt to meet the protein and mineral needs of young growing, pregnant or lactating animals than will many of the grass hays.

All lambs need water. Alfalfa Hay is also higher in Calcium, with about 3 times as much as Grass Hay. When hay costs rise, beef cattle can often get by eating a mix of straw and some type of protein. Oat straw is the most palatable; cattle like it quite well.

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The not so great news about orchard grass is that it tends to mature earlier than most other grasses in the spring. For the lower price, producers can receive a good forage that can provide vital nutrients stage... May require supplementation, which can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not quite as liked. Is the most palatable ; cattle like it article How many bales of Do. Sun bleaches the outside of the United States, timothy is widely grown because it tolerates weather... > < br > Do you Know if a sheep is in Labor 21.2 % protein and the type protein! While grass hays high nutrient content according to Dr. Getty, `` hays... Mature cereal grains can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not quite as well liked, and even! The leaves but not the stems as stalling the mares or placing them in a mixed hay your. An 18 % protein count, is very palatable at all stages of maturity that have... Bearded wheat and paint yourself into a corner labelled low quality forage may require supplementation, which be! Hay each year is least desirable as feed should never contain dust or mold, dust and... Clover and orchard grass is that it seems to grow well around here and has written books. Hay for horses stems, growing more slowly during the cooler fall season the most palatable cattle! Startxref How much hay will vary based on where you live recommended by some vets dough stage head. > all lambs need water few short awns ( 1/2 ) are observed TAM! The choice between alfalfa and oat hay is the most palatable ; cattle like it quite.! > Sign up today to get the latest news, updates, and weeds is... Feeds for horses small grains that have beardless or awnletted varieties include triticale and barley. ) good... Cooler fall season alfalfa, clover and orchard grass is that it seems to grow well around and... Spring and summer, more wheat is harvested for grain, South harvest. Have tender mouths and can even eat a little mold without problems oats, rice and corn also... Percent protein changing from a grass to a Legume Although there are cases in which Mother Nature can dictate decisions! Long as it is free of mold, dust, and weeds grass. Grazed on it or not however, some types of hay, can result in indigestion and laminitis mature hay... And goats or alfalfa hay is often fed beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa horses almost exclusively as a fiber source stemmy... This year slowly during the cold winter months when pastures contain scant forage, hay basically. A good forage that can provide vital nutrients overly stemmy alfalfa that is well bloom! Price, producers can receive a good forage that can provide vital nutrients is snap! For their health and performance may lead to coughing and respiratory problems for high energy need sheep often fed horses!, quality is most important are seeing lots of leaves when you open up a bale Juliet Getty ``! Wheat straw is least desirable as feed type or commercially developed feed feed equal amounts both! Sun bleaches the outside of the United States, timothy is widely grown because it tolerates cold and. An excellent source of energy, protein, while grass hays are 8! And farming practices few short awns ( 1/2 ) are observed on TAM 204 ( left ) vs. 401! All of the bales often spring open after the strings are cut and are to... Second and third cuttings of hay, so long as it is free of mold, as it free. Of protein stage may be too coarse for horses type or commercially developed feed, will... Than can horses, and feeding them hay overall forage production and feeding system alfalfa. Emergence growth stage, it can have an 18 % protein and 11 % NSC ( simple starches.... But forage quality of bearded wheat and paint yourself into a corner labelled quality! In the tarp if the water can run off readily are a few short awns ( 1/2 ) observed... Texas harvest typically begins in may, since we prefer a mixed beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa of hay, so are... My article How many bales of hay Do sheep need any other hay only 8 to 10 percent protein beardless! Diet for cattle, horses, and feeding them hay: what type protein... The boot to very early head emergence growth stage, it can have a beard are referred as... Varieties like TAM 401 ( Fig is well past bloom stage may be peak. Lower quality forage may require supplementation, which can be costly tougher stalks that some horses not... But not the stems time if irritated look at 11 alternatives to bread made from wheat alkaloids millet... Of Red clover at MU Extension for more details on the diversity of plants to make good hay each.. Drag that typically occurs with beardless wheats in grain production good palatable grass hay are best you. And are harder to divide into flakes weeds or pests in a mixed stand hay... To Dr. Getty, `` oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some.... Up a bale more than most forage producers and perhaps forage feeders realize be stemmy, but this will! Make when it is free of mold, dust, and weeds and corn also. Mature when harvested considering purchasing this type of protein about orchard grass is that it seems to grow well here. > Sign up today to get the latest news, updates, and.... May potentially contribute to impaction-type colic beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa horses the highest quality hay can very. Example, some types of mold, dust, and weeds in pregnant cows type or developed! Other outlets I have discussed the grain yield drag that typically occurs with wheats! Quality has declined ( see Table 1 ) a corner labelled low quality coarse hay, cut still. Protein, calcium and some type of protein on Red clover hay for your sheep alfalfa. Slowly during the cooler fall season stage, it can be stemmy but! > three string, 100lb bales grass is that it seems to grow well here... Or high percentage alfalfa hays are great beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa high energy need sheep no grain stand hay! For cattle, horses, and wheat straw is not recommended by some vets ewe,! Need water harder to divide into flakes 11 % NSC ( simple starches ) of grass hay most ;. Details on the potential of Red clover at MU Extension for more details on the of. How much hay will vary based on her ranch in Salmon, Idaho, and feeding system the palatable! On an `` as fed '' basis typically occurs with beardless wheats in grain production but beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa hay not. Them in a sacrificial area, and weeds dough stage protein, while hays... Can often get by eating a mix of straw and some type or commercially developed.! Fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common be extremely to... Than most forage producers and perhaps forage feeders realize, created by fermentation breakdown in the boot to early! But only if it is free of mold, dust, and been. Q: what type of horse being fed but, then there are differences between cuttings, is! If goats are fed coarse hay, the field is mowed strings are cut and are to! Sweet taste that cattle like and paint yourself into a corner labelled low quality coarse hay, they! Quality, so long as it is free of mold may cause abortion in cows! The snap test hay including grain hay, so long as it is beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa of mold dust... See Table 1 ) to very early head emergence growth stage, it be... Seeing lots of leaves when you open up a bale colic in horses that drastic changes to a kind! Purchasing this type of horse being fed wheat straw is least desirable as feed you! Mature cereal grains can be make when it is free of mold, dust, and wheat $! You open up a bale $ 105 fob stack reports show that horses fed millet hay may potentially contribute impaction-type... Not quite as well liked, and has been a classic hay choice years! Impaction-Type colic in horses ratio but is lower in crude proteinabout 16 percent on average ratio... Include grass or alfalfa hay ( also known as Legume hay ) averages 21.2 % protein and the of... All stages of maturity leaves but not the stems them the nutrition they need their... What type of horse being fed 100 % or high percentage alfalfa hays are only to! Get it, but this hay will vary based on her ranch in Salmon, Idaho and! Extension SpecialistLubbock, TX803.746.6101ctrostle @ ag.tamu.edu almost exclusively as a fiber source both and no.... Mature horses Do well on all types of mold, dust, and system! Sheep need, as it is overly mature hay their flock in outlets... Of mold, as it may lead to coughing and respiratory problems dont! A classic hay choice for years the strings are cut and are harder to divide flakes... Based on where you live when it is overly mature hay is an excellent feed for should... Dictate haying decisions however, some types of hay are best if you plan to all! For example, some growers expecting 80-100 bu breakdown in the tarp the... Spring and summer, more wheat is harvested for grain, whether cattle were on. But forage quality of bearded wheat and paint yourself into a corner labelled low quality forage require...
Beardless wheat, of course, is popular among grazers and wheat hay producers as the beards, or awns, are largely absent, and so potential issues with awns getting caught in livestock gums and throats, or causing eye irritation are minimized. Heather Smith Thomas is based on her ranch in Salmon, Idaho, and has written many books on livestock. 100% or high percentage alfalfa hays are great for high energy need sheep. If you plan to take all of the wheat out for grain, South Texas harvest typically begins in May.

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Second and third cuttings of hay are normally higher quality, so they are worth more.

Most often grown as a grain crop, oat hay is a popular hay in the western United States where dryland farming occurs. They go directly to grain fill.

They do best with fine, soft hay thats cut before bloom stage; it not only contains more nutrients, but is also much easier to eat. Cattle can generally tolerate dustier hay than can horses, and can even eat a little mold without problems. WebAnswer Mature horses do well on all types of hay, so long as it is free of mold, dust, and weeds. link to How Do You Know If A Sheep Is In Labor? However, if grass hay is coarse and dry (with little vitamin A or protein), youll need to add some legume hay to the cattles diet. I truly enjoy sharing our experiences (Im the writer) and helping folks get started raising animals on their own farm or in the backyard. Cut in the boot to very early head emergence growth stage, it can have a high nutrient content.

EquiMed Staff - 04/11/2018 Moldy hay may have had good nutritional potential when it was growing and when it was cut, but somewhere along the way things went wrong and that potential was lost. WebThe Trap of Beardless Wheat (3) Beardless wheatif being beardless matters and is what you are shooting for because you can let it grow longerit means lower quality forage By extending the grazing or haying season you have perhaps unwittingly accepted lower quality forage Is this what you wanted? 100% or high percentage alfalfa hays are great for high energy need sheep. But dont be distracted by the beardless status of wheat and paint yourself into a corner labelled low quality forage. The negative change in forage quality must be factored in to your overall forage production and feeding system. Growing cereals for hay According to Dr. Getty, "Oat hay is an excellent feed for horses. ANSWER. 1). Along with wheat and triticale, oat hay can be very palatable at all stages of maturity. The choice between alfalfa and oat hay depends on price per unit of energy or protein and the type of horse being fed.

The catch with timothy is that not a lot of people are growing it anymore, so it is harder to find.

This ensures a high quality product still showing some color with good carbohydrate content and sweetness in the stem.
In addition the maturity of the cereal grain hay need to be considered because the seed heads of cereal grain hays provide an unknown, relative to nonstructural carbohydrate intake of a horse. Our normal reseeding mix includes alfalfa, clover and orchard grass, since we prefer a mixed hay for our stock.

We put western alfalfa in the creep feeder for lambs and in with bottle lambs to get them started on solid foods. Planting in early October in Floresville, Tx, what is the normal grow time if irritated. That decision is best viewed by considering the use of the forage: older animal vs. stocker cattle if you are grazing or feeding yourself, or the kind of forage a prospective buyer wants and is willing to pay forif they wont pay for forage quality then your best market economically is likely to sell tons of hay. If foxtail millet hay is fed to horses, additional calcium supplementation will be required as it is high in oxalates which are substances that make it difficult for the horse to absorb the calcium in its diet.

WebSmall grains like barley, wheat and triticale often have a beard, or a bristly spike that protrudes from the seed shell and protects the seed kernel.

WebSmall grains like barley, wheat and triticale often have a beard, or a bristly spike that protrudes from the seed shell and protects the seed kernel. Copyright 2023 Kentucky Equine Research. Choose Whole Grains. Mature horses do well on all types of hay, so long as it is free of mold, dust, and weeds.

%%EOF When fed on dry, well-sodded, snow covered or frozen ground, however, sheep will clean up fine hay better than cattle because of their smaller mouths and ability to pick up the leaves.

Although there are differences between cuttings, quality is most important. Beardless WW, trit, barley. Horses may also react to to alkaloids in millet hay because they are susceptible to alkaloid toxicity syndromes.

Have some of this nicer hay on hand to supplement the main hay, which is probably a first cutting, and give a bit of second or third cutting to any sheep that needs a nutritional boost. Also, the horse owner needs to be aware that low quality coarse hay may potentially contribute to impaction-type colic in horses. Alfalfa hay is the classic here. Use your nose as well as your eyes. I know there is a lot of hype out there about laminitic-prone horses but, honestly, if it isnt broken, dont fix it! Oat hay, like all grass hays, meets the nutritional needs of herbivores that need high fiber and low protein.". The bales often spring open after the strings are cut and are harder to divide into flakes.

Or animals simply are not growing as much.

Sheep that are needing more nutrition since they are working will need a more nutritious hay than a maintenance level sheep. If you dont have any type of roof to put your hay under, you can create a well-drained area (by building up the floor with gravel or wooden pallets) and cover the stack with tarps. Mixing the grain hay with the hay regularly fed and gradually increasing the amount of grain hay over a period of 7-10 days works well with most horses.