Choosing the best hay for cattle is a great way to keep your animals healthy and happy. There are several different types of hay that you can choose from. These hays include teff, alfalfa, grass and legumes.
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Alfalfa
Using alfalfa is a great way to increase your livestock’s nutrition. This perennial grass can be used to produce forage for both grazing and silage.
Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of protein. In addition, it is highly digestible. It is also a good supplemental feed for beef cattle, dairy cows, and nursing does.
It is a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Alfalfa is also an excellent hay for wildlife. It is also beneficial for rumen health.
The rate of ruminal digestion in alfalfa is five to ten times greater than that of most grasses. This results in high productivity of cattle on alfalfa pastures.
There are two basic types of alfalfa: early growth and full bloom. The first growth stage has higher protein content and lower fiber. As the plant enters full bloom, the soluble protein levels decrease.
Grass hay
Grass hay for cattle can be a great source of nutrition. It is usually made from a variety of grasses, like timothy, brome, orchard grass, or clover.
Depending on the breed, age, and body condition of the animal, the amount of hay it needs may vary. In order to find the best feed for your livestock, it is important to understand the different types of hay.
Grass hay is a long, hollow stem that grows up to 60 inches tall. It is a good choice for ruminants, and it is also useful as silage. It is usually lower in calcium than other hays, but it can be higher in protein.
Grass hay for cattle can also be mixed with other hays, or with legumes such as soybean. The combination of grass and legume hay is the most beneficial. It provides the animals with more protein and calories than other types of hay, and it also makes for easier digestion.
Legume hay
Several legumes provide good quality forage for cattle, goats and other livestock. These legumes are high in protein, calcium, and fiber, which are essential for healthy livestock. They can also be used as a natural fertilizer. They can fix atmospheric nitrogen and use summer rainfall to replenish lost nutrients.
The main effect gross margin was higher for the lablab-wheat system than the lucerne or burgundy bean system. Each kg of live-weight gain was valued at A$1.50/kg.
The estimated gross margins for the wheat crop were calculated based on the wheat grain price of $170/ton. The increased cost of applying P fertilisers was subtracted from the value of the wheat crop.
The shoot dry matter yields of the four legume treatments were 1.7 t/ha for the lucerne, 4.5 t/ha for the burgundy bean, and 5.7 t/ha for the lablab. The highest quality shoot dry matter yield was obtained from the lablab, followed by lucerne.
Teff hay
Traditionally teff is grown as a grain crop, but it can also be grown as a forage hay crop. Recent research has shown that it is an excellent source of high quality forage for animals. It can be grazed during the growing season, and is also stored for winter feeding.
It has shown exceptional acceptance by animals. It is a good substitute for corn silage in dairy cow diets, and it can be used to supplement alfalfa rations. The plant is also accepted by horses and llamas.
Several studies have examined teff as a pasture, including an evaluation of the effects of nitrogen rates and irrigation on yield and quality. The results indicated that teff hay has low nutrient variability. The mean value of digestible DM/ha was 628 kg/ha.
Triticale
Developed in the late 1800s, triticale is the result of crossing wheat with rye. It is a hybrid that produces high yields and has an excellent nutrient profile. It is an excellent hay for cattle and is also useful as a grain.
This cool season crop can be planted in the fall or spring. It has a high protein content and is very digestible. This grain is also used as a feed for poultry and ruminants.
It is a great hay for cattle and is especially well suited for dairy cows at the boot stage. The forage is high in protein and contains vitamins and minerals. The grains have a high lysine amino acid content.
Triticale is available in different varieties. One popular variety is Trical 813. It is drought tolerant, and has good winter hardiness.
