If you are looking for a great alternative to conventional hay for your livestock, you may want to consider using a legume hay. This type of hay is typically made from alfalfa, triticale, or sainfoin. All of these types of hay are high in protein and contain no cholesterol, making them perfect for a cattle diet.
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Alfalfa hay
Alfalfa hay for cattle can be very beneficial to the health of your livestock. This is because of the high protein and vitamin content. It is also very digestible. However, you must be careful.
Grazing alfalfa is a very important step to maximizing its nutritional value. You must keep in mind that hay can vary in quality depending on the growing season, moisture conditions during harvest, and the stage of maturity.
Alfalfa hay can be used to supplement the diets of dairy cows and beef cattle. Although it is high in protein, you must be cautious when using this hay.
It is best to feed alfalfa during early spring when the hay is in bloom. The high soluble protein in this hay can cause bloat. To prevent this, you must limit the amount of time your cattle spend in the pasture.
Besides its nutritional value, it is also a great grazing forage. In fact, it is one of the most common hay varieties in the world.
Timothy hay
Timothy hay (Cat’s tail grass) is a grass-like hay that is popular for animal feed. Its nutrient profile is high in fiber, but low in protein.
This hay is a good choice for domestic animals, especially those that have high energy requirements. However, it is not suitable for drought-prone soils. In order to keep the hay from declining, it requires adequate irrigation.
Timothy hay is often mixed with other ingredients to increase its nutrient value. One common mixture is with red clover.
It is an easy-to-digest grass that grows well in moist, cool climates. It also tolerates harsh winters. Some varieties have a higher protein content than other types of hay. The hay is available in a variety of colors, from light straw to pale green.
Timothy is a perennial cool-season grass that has been cultivated in several countries. Most of its growing areas are on the base of major mountain ranges. Winds from these ranges blow off the hay before the sun bleaches the hay.
Triticale
Triticale is a high protein, high digestibility forage. This is a good choice for a ruminant diet. It has lower production costs and minimal impact on nitrogen utilization.
A recent study found that replacing alfalfa hay with triticale hay can save up to $0.4 per cow/day. These results suggest that this type of hay may be appropriate for replacement heifers, dry cows, and lactating does.
The main benefits of using triticale hay are greater heat tolerance and increased neutral detergent fiber. Although it is higher in fiber than alfalfa, it is less energetic. In addition, it has a lower NFC concentration.
Many growers are switching from alfalfa to triticale. They claim that they have increased yields. However, the protein and calcium levels of these hays are not as high as alfalfa.
Other reasons for growing triticale include the ability to grow in warmer climates. It also has the advantage of being a cross between rye and wheat. That combination of traits gives it better disease resistance and productivity.
Sainfoin
Sainfoin is a legume that has been introduced to North America and is now widely used as a hay for cattle. It is a perennial cool season forage legume that is suitable for use on both dryland and irrigated lands.
Compared to alfalfa, sainfoin is a relatively new crop in the United States. Although it has only been used by producers for the past forty years, it could soon become a very popular crop in the western U.S.
Sainfoin is a drought-tolerant, high-yielding plant. In a dryland setting, it can produce 1.5 to 4 tons of hay per acre. Once a sainfoin stand is established, it can persist for 3-5 years. However, sainfoin does not like heavy wetness or flooding, and it has a tendency to rot if it is exposed to long periods of wetness or waterlogging.
A sainfoin seed pod has a single seed attached to a tough, raised vein. The pods are very tough and are left in place during the harvest process.
