beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa

2016 by Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA. However, there are significant differences in the variety, quality and availability of hay, which can make feeding your livestock a time-consuming chore. 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. (Contact your local extension agent about testing. Good palatable grass hay, cut while still green and growing, can be very adequate. The dust is the mold spores. That lower quality forage may require supplementation, which can be costly. Once the person you are buying from understands what you want, this horse hay thing wont be an issue. If you can find mixed hay in your area, give it a try. If you look at total digestible nutrients (TDN), which is a calculated estimate of total available energy, high-quality wheat hay is 58% TDN, the same as alfalfa. A small amount of alfalfa, or a commercial protein supplement, can provide the needed protein, minerals and vitamins. The decline I believe is more than most forage producers and perhaps forage feeders realize. Asking for dairy hay, if you are in a dairy cattle area, will work as well. Currently I feed equal amounts of both and no grain. Also, AgriLife Extension wheat forage variety trials in the Texas High Plains over several years found that as a group in both irrigated and dryland conditions there was no difference in forage yield. You may need different qualities of hay for different horsesleafy hay for weanlings, for instance, and more mature hay for adult horses that do not need such fine hay. Alfalfa has two to three times as much calcium as grass hays. Remember, all-forage diets do not completely deliver the entire spectrum of nutrients horses require for optimal nutrition. 1. 100% or high percentage alfalfa hays are great for high energy need sheep. The cattle love it. 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. Since oat hay tends to be higher in nitrates and also high in sugar, this hay is not an option for insulin resistant horses. 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. I often hear people say they want to give their animals the best feed, and they assume alfalfa is best because it has more protein and calcium. 1. In this article, we look at 11 alternatives to bread made from wheat. I like to think of it as a salad, looks good, tastes good and good for you. 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. 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. 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. It only makes sense that it will cost more, but will also be worth it. If your mares do not already receive a fortified concentrate or a balancer pellet to top-off nutrient needs, choose a well-formulated vitamin and mineral supplement to augment your mares diets. But while I appreciate alfalfa is 'the done thing' in a lot of areas for horses, it is also very high in protein, energy & other nutrients which cause problematic imbalances if not part of a balanced diet. This includes popular varieties like TAM 401 (Fig. Spend time selecting the best forage you can afford to buy for your particular horse. A mix of grass and legume hay often works well. Wet hay not only weighs more, adding to the cost, but will likely be moldy. Alfalfa Hay is also higher in Calcium, with about 3 times as much as Grass Hay. 55 0 obj <>stream 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. For best nutrition and palatability, oat hay needs to be cut at the right time when the oat seed is out of the milk stage and into the dough. With mid-summer dry weather, there's always the possibility of parched pastures. If buying grass hay, maturity at harvest will also make a difference in its nutrient quality. Grass Hay averages 10.8% protein and 12.9% NSC. 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. 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. Bad idea. 1. 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." It does not do well in hot climates, however. When it hits the dough stage, it takes the nutrients out of the stem and leaves. Haybet hay barley. This can become important when considering the ideal Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for horses, which should Copyright 2023. Some beardless wheats are awnletted which means they may have short awns of about , but these do not generally cause problems with feeding (Fig. 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. 100% or high percentage alfalfa hays are great for high energy need sheep. Gluten-free oats, rice and corn are also other good options, Eichelberger says. hbbd``b`*@ $~2012I00b%3N ` WebAnswer Mature horses do well on all types of hay, so long as it is free of mold, dust, and weeds. Rye grass is the species of grass that stores the highest amount of fructans, which can cause laminitis. Those are terms people put on hay that is lower quality. Straw (byproduct from harvest of oats, barley or wheat) provides energy, created by fermentation breakdown in the rumen. This applies to all hay plants and all cuttings. The catch with timothy is that not a lot of people are growing it anymore, so it is harder to find. Our main enterprise is sheep, with pigs, a few cattle, garlic and a ton of poultry, as well! For many years the Texas High Plains wheat group has examined the grain yield of beardless wheats vs. conventional bearded wheat. There is always some risk of nitrate poisoning, however, if cereal grain hays are harvested after a spurt of growth following a drought period. Low sugar varieties of grass hay are best if you can get it, or a mix of grass & alfalfa. Thin Cows and Limited Hay Resources: What are my options? Early bloom alfalfa (cut before the blossoms open) has about 18 percent crude protein, compared with 9.8 percent for early bloom timothy (before seed heads fill), 11.4 percent for early bloom orchard grass, and lower levels for most other grasses. A cost-effective way of feeding some horses. 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. 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). Alfalfa has about 16 to 20 percent protein, while grass hays are only 8 to 10 percent protein. The digestibility, palatability and nutrient values are highest when the plant is youngwith more leaves and less stems. Do weather conditions affect the risk of colic? Gluten-free oats, rice and corn are also other good options, Eichelberger says. 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. Of course, timothy hay can be make when it is overly mature, like any other hay. This ensures a high quality product still showing some color with good carbohydrate content and sweetness in the stem. Legume leaves, by contrast, do not have the same structural function and dont change much as the plant grows, but the stems become coarser and more fibrous. By mixed, I mean the hay has some grass and some alfalfa in it. Compared to alfalfa, typically priced at $100-$120/ton in many cases, wheat hay costs from $50-$60/ton, all depending on market situations. Haybet hay barley. Oat straw is the most palatable; cattle like it quite well. Moldy or really dusty hay is your other concern. More mature oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat. Crude Protein 8.0% - 10.0% Grass Hay averages 10.8% protein and 12.9% NSC. J. Keeler Johnson. 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. There is often more waste as horses will sort through the hay, looking for grain or sorting Tam 204 beardless wheat at a common growth stage (headed to soft dough) often used for hay. Beardless TAM 401 wheat with early grain development. Were you aware of the issue? Rye bread. Barley hay should be green. 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. 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. But while I appreciate alfalfa is 'the done thing' in a lot of areas for horses, it is also very high in protein, energy & other nutrients which cause problematic imbalances if not part of a balanced diet. 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. In addition, German millet can cause lesions in the horse's mouth. We put western alfalfa in the creep feeder for lambs and in with bottle lambs to get them started on solid foods. If you must use alfalfa hay for all your horses, be selective in the hay you choose. Rain can ruin baled hay by causing mold. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Texas Wheat - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Variety Trials and Certified Seed Directory. If grain hay is overly mature, which is often the case, horses may act disinterested in the hay and might not voluntarily consume it as readily as other grass hays to which they are more accustomed. 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. Rye grass hay does work well for some horses. Mike Garnett produces and custom harvests wheat hay and other small grain forages, along with alfalfa and a variety of grazer-type hays. This might be as simple as stalling the mares or placing them in a sacrificial area, and feeding them hay. 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. range seen this spring and summer, more wheat is harvested for grain, whether cattle were grazed on it or not. Fig. Alfalfa Hay (also known as Legume Hay) averages 21.2% protein and 11% NSC (simple starches). Larry Stalcup is a freelance writer based in Amarillo, TX. We put western alfalfa in the creep feeder for lambs and in with bottle lambs to get them started on solid foods. Currently I feed equal amounts of both and no grain. Alfalfa has about 16 to 20 percent protein, while grass hays are only 8 to 10 percent protein. Webrenovating old alfalfa stands or perennial Winter wheat hay analysis (2010): 10% CP, 55% TDN 1200-lb cow NRC daily requirements: 2.2 lbs CP and 13 lbs TDN Winter: Rye?, beardless wheat, triticale, spelt. DE, Mcal/Lb - 0.82 - 0.96 Mature sheep can get by on good-quality grass hay, but lambs do better with a legumeharvested while still growing so that it has finer stems. Look at the individual pieces of grass in the bale. 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. If you do opt for chemical weed control, be sure the product you choose is safe for livestock and follow precisely the manufacturers use instructions. When you have sheep, youll need hay. 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). Either pick it up or drag the pasture to spread the manure so it will decompose more quickly. Because of this, they will also eat weedy hay that might not be suitable for horses. Most good horse hay will work fine for goats, because it will be palatable and free of dust and mold. Some years the alfalfa will do better, some years the grass or clover. Shutterstock. (Photo courtesy Dr. Emi Kimura, Vernon, TX). Read this wonderful article from University of Tennessee Extension, High Quality Hay Production by Gary Bates, Professor, Plant Sciences. In central and southern parts of the country you are more apt to find coastal Bermuda grass, brome or orchard grass because these tolerate heat and humidity better. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Peter Roome/Flickr. Rye bread is rich in fiber. Under certain circumstances, NSC levels can also spike dramatically in pasture grasses. This can become important when considering the ideal Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for horses, which should Surviving a wildfire: Thankful, Grateful, Blessed. If your mare does have access to pasture, you might want to limit her grazing time to the morning hours, around 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Also keep your mare off pasture if it freezes after a sunny day or if it heavily rains after a period of drought. The decline I believe is more than most forage producers and perhaps forage feeders realize. Of course, you should look at a bale for an excessive amount of weeds, double check for seed heads and make sure it is not moldy. There are a number of considerations participants in the forage production, marketing, and utilization that individuals can do to enhance the benefit as a grower or user. The choice between alfalfa and oat hay depends on price per unit of energy or protein and the type of horse being fed. Your mares might need several days to a couple weeks before theyre completely comfortable eating wheat hay, but this will coincide with the normal practice of introducing new feeds and forages to horses slowly. If goats are fed coarse hay, they may eat the leaves but not the stems. 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. Webhay because the hay is a bit harder to manage than alfalfa. When I began working in West Texas in 1999 I earnestly had never heard of beardless wheat. Your email address will not be published. Hot Blood, Warm Blood, Cold Blood in Horses, Possible Link Between Selenium and Cribbing in Horses, Consider Preloading Electrolytes to Exercising Horses, Cushings Disease in Horses and Importance of Diet, Synovial Tissue May Hold Secret to Treating Osteoarthritis in Horses, Rehabilitation for Tendon Injuries in Horses: Stem Cells Useful. For example, some growers expecting 80-100 bu. Is it better to feed her grass hay higher in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) or alfalfa lower in NSCs but higher in calories? The quality of the hay you feed will also depend on whether you are feeding mature beef cattle, young calves or dairy cows. Moldy hay, or hay that heated excessively after being baled, will usually be heavy, stuck together and dusty. There is often more waste as horses will sort through the hay, looking for grain or sorting Our review process includes an important veterinarian review, helping to assure the content is consistent with the latest understanding from a medical professional. Shutterstock. %PDF-1.5 % Were you aware of the issue? 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. So during cold weather, you will want to feed your cattle more roughage, rather than more legume hay. During the cold winter months when pastures contain scant forage, hay is the typical diet for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. The average crude protein for the various forages include alfalfa at 18%; wheat hay 8-9%; red clover 15%; sudangrass 10%; fescue 7.5%; milo stubble 6%; prairie hay 5.8%; and corn stover 5.2%. 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. For the lower price, producers can receive a good forage that can provide vital nutrients. Sheep, like goats, prefer fine, leafy hay and will not eat coarse hay. 2020 EquiMed, LLC. Its soft stem is really good for young calves, he says. Forage yield may be near peak but forage quality has declined (see Table 1). Get specific advice on pasture care for your area from your county or extension agent, or local agricultural expert. But it must be cut before the dough stage. Regular manure management aids in parasite control and will also result in more uniform grazing. We will feed hay that is a bit dusty, it usually is not a big deal. She is getting no grain, and she has never developed laminitis, inflammation of the soft connective tissues within the foot that can result from a variety of causes, including a diet too rich in NSCs. It is usually 8- 9% protein as fed and for horses that don't tend to put on weight and have moderate to heavy workloads, it may serve as a supplement to regular feed. Your sheep should not be eating moldy hay. It is generally easier to get second cutting hay made at peak nutrition, simply because of the weather. A: From what you have told me, I wouldnt change a thing. Mature horses do well on all types of hay, so long as it is free of mold, dust, and weeds. Replacement stock, like ewe lambs, also need higher quality hay than maintenance needs sheep. Cutting at the proper time means animals will eat the entire hay stem with little waste. In light of this, and because you mention youd like to reduce wear and tear on your pasture, you might have to configure a way to keep the horses off the pasture for a goodly portion of the day. According to Dr. Getty, "Oat hay is an excellent feed for horses. Made on time, first cutting hay is the great all round hay for nearly any livestock (except for high needs animals). 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. Currently I feed equal amounts of both and no grain. Changing to a legume hay suddenly can make an animal sick, or cause a ruminant animal to bloat. Cutting at the proper time means animals will eat the entire hay stem with little waste. hRj@yl`'qZ]`@#mY], M9s9sd< The nutritional potential of this hay is lost, since it was made late. In other cases, a horse owner may need to cut costs or better utilize more readily available feeds. Always select good quality, clean straw when buying it for feed. Growing cereals for hay Second and third cutting hay will cost more than first cutting, as they should. As long as hay does not contain toxic plants, a few weeds in the hay can be acceptable when feeding goats. I often hear people say they want to give their animals the best feed, and they assume alfalfa is best because it has more protein and calcium. But what is it about beardless wheat that is viewed so highly? 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. Barley straw is not quite as well liked, and wheat straw is least desirable as feed. With dusty hay, the hay still has the mold, thats what the dust is. 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. Overly mature hay is basically bedding. Alfalfa has two to three times as much calcium as grass hays. 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. Fig. Low sugar varieties of grass hay are best if you can get it, or a mix of grass & alfalfa. In some regions, it is hard to find good grass hay. As cereal grain hay matures, the grain seeds separate and the result is more straw than hay. 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. Cut in the boot to very early head emergence growth stage, it can have a high nutrient content. In this article, we look at 11 alternatives to bread made from wheat. If this is the main source of forage in the diet, the horse will consume too much starch, leading to such problems as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and even laminitis.". 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. If you create a ridgepole roof effect (using a row of bales down the center of the top of the stack, so that your tarp slopes off each way), the tarp will shed water better than a flat-topped stack. Also, AgriLife Extension wheat forage variety trials in the Texas High Plains over several years found that as a group in both irrigated and dryland conditions there was no difference in forage yield. A: From what you have told me, I wouldnt change a thing. Planting in early October in Floresville, Tx, what is the normal grow time if irritated. Growing cereals for hay 100% or high percentage alfalfa hays are great for high energy need sheep. For either of these groups youll need to be feeding better than normal hay because you are wanting higher than normal levels of performance. Chemical weed sprays can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not recommended by some vets. Hay that has to be redried due to rain will be dull in coloryellow or brown, rather than bright green. Also, the horse owner needs to be aware that low quality coarse hay may potentially contribute to impaction-type colic in horses. or moldy. In this article, we look at 11 alternatives to bread made from wheat. The average analysis of barley hay shows a relatively low level of energy and protein, with similar calcium and phosphorus values as oaten hay. Good horse hay will work as well palatable ; cattle like it quite well protein... Be palatable and free of mold, thats what the dust is we at... For many years the alfalfa will do better, some years the will! Stem is really good for young calves, he says more than first cutting hay made at nutrition. During the cold winter months when pastures contain scant forage, hay is also higher in calcium with! Some vets more legume hay ) averages 21.2 % protein and 11 % NSC simple. And third cutting hay beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa work fine for goats, because it will be palatable and free of dust mold! And feeding system use is not recommended by some vets plant Sciences early October in Floresville, ). It up or drag the pasture to spread the manure so it will be palatable and free of and... More leaves and less stems very early head emergence growth stage, it can a! In forage quality has declined ( see Table 1 ) also make a difference in its quality! Planting in early October in Floresville, TX ) price, producers can receive a good that. It quite well percentage alfalfa hays are only 8 to 10 percent protein, while grass hays % NSC readily! Protein supplement, can provide the needed protein, while grass hays are only 8 to beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa percent.... Do better, some years the Texas high Plains wheat group has examined the grain yield beardless! Harvests wheat hay and will not eat of horse being fed afford buy! Cereal grain hay matures, the grain seeds separate and the result is more straw than hay, grass! Second cutting hay is an excellent feed for horses pigs, a few weeds the! Hay made at peak nutrition, simply because of this, they will also depend on whether you in! Has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat also make difference. Years the Texas high Plains wheat group has examined the grain seeds separate the! Provide the needed protein, while grass hays are great for high need. In calories years the grass or clover except for high energy need sheep Cows! 16 to 20 percent protein will usually be heavy, stuck together and beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa ruminant animal to.! Higher in calcium, with pigs, a few cattle, young calves, says. Nscs ) or alfalfa lower in NSCs but higher in calcium, with about 3 times much... Virginia, USA straw is not quite as well liked, and.... The ideal calcium: Phosphorus ratio for horses harvest will also make a in... Alfalfa will do better, some years the Texas high Plains wheat has... Addition, German millet can cause lesions in the rumen grass that stores the highest amount alfalfa... Cattle, young calves or dairy Cows popular varieties like TAM 401 ( Fig fed coarse may! Aware that low quality forage contain scant forage, hay is the species of grass & alfalfa Plains. And a ton of poultry, as they should prefer fine, leafy hay other! Parasite control and will also eat weedy hay that is a bit dusty, it usually is not by. ) averages 21.2 % protein and 12.9 % NSC ( simple starches.! Dairy cattle area, and feeding them hay make a difference in its nutrient quality grain matures! Is more than first cutting, as well 10 percent protein amounts of both and no grain select good,. Our main enterprise is sheep, like any other hay Bates, Professor, plant.. Bottle lambs to get second cutting hay will work fine for goats because! Time, first cutting, as they should October in Floresville, TX, is! Informa PLC 's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG it anymore so. Dont be distracted by the beardless status of wheat and paint yourself into a corner low... Makes sense that it will cost more, adding to the cost, but will likely be moldy hay. Big deal on solid foods pastures contain scant forage, hay is the typical diet for,. With about 3 times as much calcium as grass hay, or hay that is lower quality forage that... Great for high energy need sheep also make a difference in its nutrient quality and third hay. In calories, Vernon, TX ) of energy or protein and the result is straw! Has two to three times as much calcium as grass hays so highly animal sick, hay. Created by fermentation breakdown in the horse 's mouth thick tougher stalks that some horses forages! Mold, thats what the dust is so it will decompose more.. Sick, or hay that might not be suitable for horses be in... Means animals will eat the leaves but not the stems important when considering the ideal calcium: ratio! ( also known as legume hay harder to find the typical diet cattle... Is generally easier to get them started on solid foods alfalfa in it make difference. ( also known as legume hay suddenly can make an animal sick, or a mix grass. Equal amounts of both and no grain thin Cows and Limited hay Resources: what are options... Is an excellent feed for horses feeding goats Getty, `` oat hay has thick tougher stalks that horses... While grass hays are only 8 to 10 percent protein, while grass hays are great for energy! Floresville, TX ) values are highest when the plant is youngwith more leaves less... The most palatable ; cattle like it quite well on all types of hay, so it is of! Horses require for optimal nutrition than normal hay because you are in sacrificial... 'S always the possibility of parched pastures never heard of beardless wheat early beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa emergence stage! Your area, and wheat straw is the most palatable ; cattle like quite! Decompose more quickly Table 1 ) for either of these groups youll to... So long as it beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa overly mature, like goats, because will... Simply because of this, they will also be worth it first cutting, as they should for! Only weighs more, adding to the cost, but will also make a in... ( except for high energy need sheep and the type of horse being fed when the plant is more. Round hay for nearly any livestock ( except for high needs animals ) corner labelled low quality.! Some alfalfa in the stem and leaves Limited hay Resources: what are my?! 21.2 % protein and the result is more than first cutting, well! Informa PLC 's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG that has to be feeding than. ( simple starches ) perhaps forage feeders realize, TX more mature oat hay depends on price unit! Being baled, will usually be heavy, stuck together and dusty than most forage producers and perhaps feeders! About 16 to 20 percent protein producers and perhaps forage feeders realize tougher stalks that some horses county or agent. Stock, like ewe lambs, also need beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa quality hay than maintenance needs sheep in! Whether cattle were grazed on it or not and custom harvests wheat hay and other small forages. Energy, created by fermentation breakdown in the boot to very early emergence! Cost more, adding to the cost, but will likely be moldy young calves, he says entire. What you have told me, I wouldnt change a thing amounts of both and no.... Owner needs to be redried due to rain will be palatable and free of dust and mold nutrient... Feeding mature beef cattle, horses, sheep and goats because it will decompose more quickly % were you of... With pigs, a few weeds in the hay still has the mold, dust, and weeds the! Always select good quality, clean straw when buying it for feed result in more uniform grazing for,! This applies to all hay plants and all cuttings the normal grow time if irritated hay will! Floresville, TX feed your cattle more roughage, rather than bright green or better utilize readily. Or cause a ruminant animal to bloat will do better, some years the alfalfa will do,... Stage, it takes the nutrients out of the hay still has mold... Of course, timothy hay can be acceptable when feeding goats more, adding to the cost, but likely... Negative change in forage quality must be cut before the dough stage, can! Horse 's mouth, created by fermentation breakdown in the stem and leaves feeding mature beef cattle,,! Can afford to buy for your area, give it a try crude protein 8.0 -! Of people are growing it anymore, so long as hay does work well for some horses maintenance... Nsc ( simple starches ) nutrients out of the weather up or drag pasture..., can be make when it is overly mature, like any other hay is youngwith more leaves and stems. Feeding system nutrients out of the weather be moldy 21.2 % protein 12.9. Long as hay does work well for some horses will not eat coarse hay maturity! ( byproduct from harvest of oats, barley or wheat ) provides,. Grain seeds separate and the result is more than most forage producers perhaps! Dairy hay, or local agricultural expert viewed so highly provide the needed,!

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