Hay is a type of animal fodder composed of dried grasses, legumes or other plant material that has been cut and stored for use as animal bedding. Large grazing animals such as cattle, horses, sheep and goats prefer it over other diets due to its nutritional value.
What type of hay you feed your livestock depends on their age, breed and nutrient needs. Mature beef cattle may do fine with simple hay, while dairy cows need adequate protein.
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Grass Hay
Grass hay is a popular choice for cattle feed, being highly palatable and packed with essential nutrients. Unfortunately, it can become too dry to provide adequate nourishment without supplementation with alfalfa or legume hay.
Legume hay is an ideal choice for cattle, as it contains high levels of protein and provides more than double the amount of it that grass hay provides. Furthermore, legume hay contains more calcium and phosphorus than grass hay does, although some animals may experience bloating after ingesting it.
When possible, cut hay before it becomes dry and moldy. Then it can be stored under a tarp for later use as nutrition or bedding for your livestock. Not only does this reduce your environmental impact but provides them with an affordable alternative to commercial hay as well.
Alfalfa Hay
Alfalfa hay is an ideal supplement for beef cattle, providing them with plenty of weight gain and essential nutrients. It is also in high demand among farmers due to its superior yields and quality.
However, alfalfa can be sensitive to bloat, so it should be used with caution. Rotating it on a regular basis, waiting until it matures or mixing it with other feeds can help reduce the risk of pasture bloat.
Timing is important, but proper management of the cattle can make a big difference. Avoid overstocking animals in one field to prevent overconsumption of fresh alfalfa.
Alfalfa should be rotated into paddocks around May long weekend to give the grass time to mature and reach optimal nutrition before grazing. This ensures a uniform ration and minimizes the likelihood that individual cows select only the top portion of the plant for consumption.
Legumes Hay
Good hay can be an important source of feed for cattle. To maximize its nutritional value, it must be harvested while still green and growing, properly cured, then stored to prevent weather damage. As it ages, its composition changes; becoming coarser, dry (with little vitamin A or protein content), and not as appealing as when young.
Legumes such as alfalfa, red clover, crimson clover, birdsfoot trefoil, vetch and soybean make excellent hay for cattle feed due to their high protein content and better balance of energy and calcium than grass hay does.
Legumes differ from grasses in that they have an association with bacteria called rhizobia, which can “fix” nitrogen from air and soil into ammonia that plants can use for protein synthesis. Furthermore, when plants die or decompose, this bacteria releases nitrogen back into the environment through their roots. This helps maintain a balance of nitrogen within pastures and forage animals consume.
Combination Hay
Hay is a type of feed for animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and rabbits. It provides them with energy and protein.
Hay is often made from grasses, legumes or cereal grain and should contain the right balance of minerals, vitamins and energy for animals. When selecting a hay source for your animal friends, make sure the hay meets all these criteria!
Hay’s nutritional content can vary significantly based on growing conditions (wet or dry weather, hot or cool temperatures) and plant maturity. In general, slower-growing hay tends to have better quality and greater nutrient density than that produced by plants that grow quickly.
A quality hay will have no mold or fungus, no brown spots, and an unmistakably fresh aroma. Furthermore, the flakes should separate easily without becoming stuck together.
