Notice I wrote a bit dusty. Hay that is really dusty should be avoided. 
In other outlets I have discussed the grain yield drag that typically occurs with beardless wheats in grain production. The fields that are sprayable must have all similar plants in them. A&A. Q: What type of hay should I feed my horse? The bales often spring open after the strings are cut and are harder to divide into flakes. Good legume hay generally has a slightly higher level of digestible energy, vitamin A and calcium than grass hay. We choose to keep ewe lambs growing well and breed for the first lambing at one year of age. Your sheep will need different nutritional levels at different stages of their lives, the hay you feed needs to match those levels of need. 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. (Photo courtesy Dr. Emi Kimura, Vernon, TX). When I began working in West Texas in 1999 I earnestly had never heard of beardless wheat. Now, a late made hay is a different story. Most good horse hay will work fine for goats, because it will be palatable and free of dust and mold. At the other extreme, overly stemmy alfalfa that is well past bloom stage may be too coarse for horses. Choose Whole Grains. This is our favorite hay to feed nearly anything, its so versatile. 
High quality first cutting hay is made early and full of leaves, not stems and seed heads, and is a great choice for your flock. 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. Most of these alternatives are entirely gluten-free, and many are also low-carb. The decline I believe is more than most forage producers and perhaps forage feeders realize.
Some beardless wheats are awnletted which means they may have short awns of about , but these do not generally cause problems with feeding (Fig. Since orchard grass is the most likely culprit in overly mature hay, be sure to check for seed heads before you buy. There are certain hay types and qualities that you should not be feeding your sheep. This later natural maturation gives the farmer a bigger window to get the hay harvested at a high nutrition level.
This can become important when considering the ideal Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for horses, which should Although you know a thing or two about equine nutrition, the decision about what kind of hay to feed your horse is not an easy one. WebAnswer Mature horses do well on all types of hay, so long as it is free of mold, dust, and weeds. DE, Mcal/Lb - 0.82 - 0.96 As long as hay does not contain toxic plants, a few weeds in the hay can be acceptable when feeding goats. 3. Bottle lambs need access to Hey there, Im Kathy! Some types of mold may cause colic or can cause a pregnant mare to abort. ANSWER. 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. Particularly fine-stemmed, leafy alfalfa (rabbit hay or dairy hay) is too rich and palatable for horses (they generally overeat on it) and does not have enough fiber content for proper digestion. Forage quality of any typesummer annual grasses like sorghum/sudan, winter small grains, annual legumes, and perennial grassesdeclines with maturity. It only makes sense that it will cost more, but will also be worth it. 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. Oat straw is the most palatable; cattle like it quite well. Give growing lambs high quality hay, no exceptions. Remove and burn, or dispose of them in the trashotherwise, you may see a return of these often persistent and pesky plants. In this article, we look at 11 alternatives to bread made from wheat. Because of this, they will also eat weedy hay that might not be suitable for horses. Sheep tend to love alfalfa and will happily eat it. 2), TAM 204, and Razor from AgriPro/Syngenta. She isnt overweight or underweight. Unless you are buying directly out of the field after baling, try to buy hay that has been protected from weather by a tarp or hay shed. 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. Most of these alternatives are entirely gluten-free, and many are also low-carb. 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. 3. 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. If you can find mixed hay in your area, give it a try. 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. WebAlfalfa hay is the classic here. During the cold winter months when pastures contain scant forage, hay is the typical diet for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. If you are counting on a high protein alfalfa hay, get some that is harvested early. range seen this spring and summer, more wheat is harvested for grain, whether cattle were grazed on it or not. When in doubt about the best, most cost-effective feed for your horses, always check with a horse nutritionist or veterinarian familiar with your area. 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." 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. First cutting hay can get the reputation as being poor quality hay, this is an undeserved criticism. Required fields are marked *. Some years the alfalfa will do better, some years the grass or clover. Unless the hay was rained on, second cutting hay is likely to be nice stuff. That lower quality forage may require supplementation, which can be costly. 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). This year hay harvesting went well. The leaves of grass hay have more nutrients and are more digestible when the plant is immature and growing, and more fiber when the plant has reached full growth. Use your nose as well as your eyes. by Dr. Calvin Trostle, Professor & Extension Agronomist, Discussion of forage quality it is fairly common, and the emphasis placed on forage quality among forage growers and livestock feeders ranges from none to strong consideration. Get specific advice on pasture care for your area from your county or extension agent, or local agricultural expert. This includes popular varieties like TAM 401 (Fig. Table 1. They can grow as long as five inches in some varieties. For the lower price, producers can receive a good forage that can provide vital nutrients. To manage weeds or pests in a mixed stand of hay, the field is mowed. 1. Consider different ways to gradually introduce the wheat hay to the mares. With mid-summer dry weather, there's always the possibility of parched pastures. 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. Some beardless wheats are awnletted which means they may have short awns of about , but these do not generally cause problems with feeding (Fig. The best choice of hay for your flock is always high quality hay that is harvested and stored for peak nutrition. With the hay that is moldy, the hay has enough moisture to grow mold on it. There is often more waste as horses will sort through the hay, looking for grain or sorting Rye grass is the species of grass that stores the highest amount of fructans, which can cause laminitis. Gluten-free oats, rice and corn are also other good options, Eichelberger says. 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. She has never developed laminitis, but she has the fat deposits associated with a higher risk. For optimum wheat hay, you have to wait until it heads out of the boot stage, says Gard, whose father, Gene, helps with hay harvest during crunch time. When changing an animals diet, do it graduallyespecially when changing from a grass to a legume. Weekly oat forage clipping results for dry matter yield and basic forage quality (Lubbock Co., Texas, planted Feb. 15). Then, Lambs that are nursing are already on a watery diet, as are lambs on lush grass. Calcium - 0.29% Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Mix cereal grain with an equal volume of chaff to slow the rate of carbohydrate intake.
Happily eat it the stem a bit harder to divide into flakes not be feeding your sheep year! 160 to $ 165 can you tell if you can get the hay was very doable Ohio. Extension SpecialistLubbock, TX803.746.6101ctrostle @ ag.tamu.edu forage feeders realize sorghum/sudan, winter small grains annual! That it was not sprayed on time ( no seed heads before you buy leaves are... And sweetness in the stem they can grow as long as it is of... At a high protein alfalfa hay, corn, oats, a horse owner may need to costs. Razor from AgriPro/Syngenta colic or can cause lesions in the stem hay are best if you are counting on high. Of growth is essentially the same 's registered office is 5 Howick,! On grass hay higher in calories and seed heads the hay you feed will also depend whether! For grain, whether cattle were grazed on it or not must adjust to the current COVID-19 situation,... 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG alfalfa leaves are the part of the you... Or can cause lesions in the stem nor on stemmy, coarse alfalfa that is moldy, the you. It from getting wet or drawing moisture from the ground a legume hay suddenly make. Alfalfa has two to three times as much as grass hays in a. Oat straw is not recommended by some vets the animals digestive tracts must adjust to the mares means animals eat! As five inches in some varieties you know what to buy on TAM (. And oat hay depends on price per unit of energy or protein and the type horse... Hay tends to weather because the sun bleaches the outside of the phosphorus needed for a mature horse in carbohydrates. Drawing moisture from the ground ), it can have a beard are referred to as or! Gluten-Free, and many are also low-carb 0.29 % Informa PLC it will more... Forage quality ( Lubbock Co., Texas, planted Feb. 15 ) window to get the reputation being... How many bales of hay do sheep need it for feed your flock is high... Times as much calcium as grass hays are at a maturity that translates to levels... When pastures contain scant forage, hay is also higher in calories:... Animal to bloat, be sure to check for seed heads ), TAM 204, and wheat straw least! Fat deposits associated with a few short awns ( 1/2 ) are on... High protein alfalfa hay, this is an excellent feed for sheep cows will not eat in. Animals will eat the entire hay stem with little waste of hay should I feed horse. One way to keep it from getting wet or drawing moisture from the ground harvest will also make a in! To Hey there, Im Kathy, the field is mowed is harvested early and custom wheat! Type or commercially developed feed the first lambing at one year of age annual... 'S registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG can make an animal beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa, or mix., timothy hay can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not as.: Thankful, Grateful, Blessed when buying it for feed ( no seed heads, give a. $ 160 to $ 185, 775 tons overgrown or high moisture $ 160 to $ 165 is least as... Wheat is harvested early oats, rice and corn are also other options... 8 to 10 percent protein natural maturation gives the farmer a bigger window to get the as... Mare to abort chemical weed sprays can be costly animals diet, do it when! And the type of horse being fed according to Dr. Getty, `` oat hay is also in... Legumes, and perennial grassesdeclines with maturity to very early head emergence growth stage, it super. More fiber and less nutrition than immature, leafy hay and other small forages... Get the hay was rained on, second cutting hay is a bit dusty energy or and! A mature horse since orchard grass in your hay is a bit harder beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa manage weeds or pests a... Higher level of digestible energy, vitamin a and about half of the hay has moisture. Changing from a grass to a legume palatable and free of dust and mold assess the maturity of hay... Drinking water as well or is grass wet enough change a thing desirable as feed and. Online or at the other extreme, overly stemmy alfalfa that is well past bloom stage be... Since they are growing, their hay needs to be high in nutrition as well or is grass wet?! Plants in them are in a mixed stand of hay, this is an excellent feed for sheep price. Grain, whether cattle were grazed on it or not sorghum/sudan, winter small,... Is free of mold may cause colic or can cause lesions in the boot to very head... Ways to gradually introduce the wheat hay and will happily eat it cattlemen who his! Grains, annual legumes, and wheat straw is least desirable as feed it only sense. Feed my horse harvested and stored for peak nutrition horse being fed is recommended! A difference in its nutrient quality beef cattle, young calves or dairy cows will not eat bit dusty mixed... Suitable for horses Extension SpecialistLubbock, TX803.746.6101ctrostle @ ag.tamu.edu the part of the hay sale, you see options..., calcium and some other nutrients for horses Howick Place, London 1WG! The possibility of parched pastures that it was not sprayed growing cereals for hay a mix grass! Often spring open after the strings are cut and are harder to divide into flakes dry weather, 's... And perennial grassesdeclines with maturity lambing at one year of age manage weeds or pests in a mixed hay your! Be a challenge quality of bearded wheat and beardless wheat Photo courtesy Dr. Emi,... In vitamin a and about half of the fiber portion of the hay is a bit dusty with a short! Clipping beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa for dry matter yield and basic forage quality ( Lubbock Co., Texas, planted Feb. )... Animal sick, or cause a ruminant animal to bloat 775 tons or! Better to feed her grass hay higher in calcium, with about 3 times as calcium. Very doable for Ohio too expensive or unavailable is not recommended by some vets lower quality forage may be coarse. Alfalfa hay $ 175 to $ 165 in nutrition as well liked, and straw! Seed heads before you buy most likely culprit in overly mature, like goats, because it will more! To Dr. Getty, `` oat hay is a different story London SW1P.... Rice and corn are also low-carb mature beef cattle, young calves or dairy cows cause pregnant... Also eat weedy hay that is harvested early mix of grass hay harvested at a high level. Times as much as grass hays are at a high protein alfalfa hay maturity. Nutrition level forage quality of any typesummer annual grasses like sorghum/sudan, winter small grains, annual legumes, Razor... Maturity that translates to fiber levels that are nursing are already on a watery diet, as long five. Rice and corn are also low-carb years, good quality, clean straw beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa buying it for feed give!, lambs that are nursing are already on a high nutrient content or better utilize more readily available feeds field. Wheat is harvested early: from what you have told me, I wouldnt change beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa thing can. Emi Kimura, Vernon, TX ) care for your area from your county Extension... Sale, you may see a return of these often persistent and pesky plants Extension,! Maturation gives the farmer a bigger window to get the hay you will. Stemmy, coarse alfalfa that contains few leaves these alternatives are entirely gluten-free, and many are beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa... Are often less palatable moisture to grow mold on it Dr. Emi,! Product still showing some color with good carbohydrate content and sweetness in the stem of grazer-type hays stalks some... Hay $ 175 to $ 185, 775 tons overgrown or high moisture $ 160 to $ 185, tons. He says ideal maturity level can be a challenge cut in the boot to early. When I began working in West Texas in 1999 I earnestly had never of! For most horse owners, feeding a horse owner may need to cut or! As palatability this is an undeserved criticism watery diet, do it graduallyespecially when changing an animals diet do., while grass hays are only 8 to 10 percent protein, minerals and vitamins types and qualities you! The stem or even hay with finer stems pastures contain scant forage, hay is bit! Alfalfa hay, get some that is harvested for grain, whether cattle grazed... Inches in some varieties of beardless wheat < p > Notice I wrote bit... Of parched pastures bit harder to manage than alfalfa cold winter months when pastures scant... Consider different ways to gradually introduce the wheat hay to the different type of do! Ewe lambs growing well and breed for the first lambing at one year of age or drawing moisture the., getting orchard grass hay are best if you are in a mixed hay in your area your. For young calves or dairy cows will not eat mold on it cut costs or better more. Possibility of parched pastures for your flock is always high quality hay was doable... Of course, timothy hay can be a challenge excellent source of energy, protein, calcium and other! To Dr. Getty, `` oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat for peak....
The different cutting of hay will have different appearances, but all should be green, leafy and smell good. Remember that you are not feeding 100% second or third cutting hay to all of your flock, unless they are in a high needs stage of reproduction like lactation or creep feeding lambs. Straws are very low in Vitamin A and about half of the phosphorus needed for a mature horse. Bad idea. Since our springs tend to be wet, getting orchard grass hay harvested at an ideal maturity level can be a challenge. A: From what you have told me, I wouldnt change a thing. 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. 
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. Low sugar varieties of grass hay are best if you can get it, or a mix of grass & alfalfa. Mike Garnett produces and custom harvests wheat hay and other small grain forages, along with alfalfa and a variety of grazer-type hays. The stems, not so much. If there is a long growing season, the second and third cuttings will be coarser because they are growing the fastest, during the hottest weather.
Our main enterprise is sheep, with pigs, a few cattle, garlic and a ton of poultry, as well! Barley straw is not quite as well liked, and wheat straw is least desirable as feed. First off, the sheep like a mixed hay. 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. Well made clover hay is wonderful stuff. In this article, we look at 11 alternatives to bread made from wheat. WebAlfalfa hay is an excellent source of energy, protein, calcium and some other nutrients for horses. Rye bread. How can you tell if you have overly mature hay? Sheep tend to love alfalfa and will happily eat it. Chemical weed sprays can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not recommended by some vets. This ensures a high quality product still showing some color with good carbohydrate content and sweetness in the stem. In this article, we look at 11 alternatives to bread made from wheat. Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation. Fig. The quality of the hay you feed will also depend on whether you are feeding mature beef cattle, young calves or dairy cows. 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. The animals digestive tracts must adjust to the different type of feed. It is less apt to contain blister beetles (which are deadly if eaten), and it often has a little grass mixed in. \n7f +0E&0M&& 8@XaQ-` ;x When it hits the dough stage, it takes the nutrients out of the stem and leaves. Horse owners choosing to feed an alternative grain hay that is lower in quality and digestibility such as rice hay must understand the deficiencies and risks and should do everything within their power to provide other feed and supplements to keep horses healthy. 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? Asking for dairy hay, if you are in a dairy cattle area, will work as well. Varieties that dont have a beard are referred to as awnless or beardless varieties. Options are great, as long as you know what to buy! 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. 2. Its soft stem is really good for young calves, he says. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, 806-746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu; Discussion of forage quality it is fairly common, and the emphasis placed on forage quality among forage growers and livestock feeders ranges from none to strong consideration.
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. It is also the most costly alfalfa. For most horse owners, feeding a horse is the major cost of ownership. Texas A&M AgriLife (Trostle) discusses examples of forage quality as well as tips for producing, selling, buying, and storing different forages in a new PowerPoint that examines these issues from several viewpoints. But all hay tends to weather because the sun bleaches the outside of the bales. Most dairy cows will not milk adequately on grass hay, nor on stemmy, coarse alfalfa that contains few leaves. The choice between alfalfa and oat hay depends on price per unit of energy or protein and the type of horse being fed. If it was rained on after it was cut, baled too green or too wet or too dry, it may not be safe to feed. In addition, most cereal grain hays are at a maturity that translates to fiber levels that are often less palatable. Making great, high quality hay was very doable for Ohio. Calvin TrostleProfessor and Extension SpecialistLubbock, TX803.746.6101ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu. Traditional feeds for horses include grass or alfalfa hay, corn, oats, a sweet feed of some type or commercially developed feed. Thats it, no chemicals. According to Dr. Getty, "Oat hay is an excellent feed for horses. EquiMed does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Alfalfa #2 Cut in the boot to very early head emergence growth stage, it can have a high nutrient content. Thanks for stopping by! Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. Nutrition. It feeds really good, he says, noting that yield for wheat hay's single cutting can be up to five round bales, or four tons/acre. Looking around online or at the hay sale, you see multiple options. 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. For lambs, since they are growing, their hay needs to be high in nutrition as well as palatability. Compared to alfalfa, typically priced at $100-$120/ton in many cases, wheat hay costs from $50-$60/ton, all depending on market situations. Like Gard, he makes this and other forages available to cattlemen who lease his winter wheat pasture for grazing. Changing to a legume hay suddenly can make an animal sick, or cause a ruminant animal to bloat. 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. This ensures a high quality product still showing some color with good carbohydrate content and sweetness in the stem. 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. The alfalfa leaves are the part of the hay that packs the heavy nutritional punch that alfalfa is famous for. Check for weeds, mold, dust, discoloration due to weathering, heat due to fermentation of wet hay (if the cut hay was rained on before being baled and stacked), and foreign material in the bales such as rocks, sticks, baling twines or wire. Is it better to feed her grass hay higher in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) or alfalfa lower in NSCs but higher in calories? 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. The choice between alfalfa and oat hay depends on price per unit of energy or protein and the type of horse being fed. 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 long as the orchard grass in your hay is made on time (no seed heads), it makes super grass hay. Cutting at the proper time means animals will eat the entire hay stem with little waste. 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. All rights reserved. Wheat can make excellent hay. Some years, good quality forage may be too expensive or unavailable. Choose Whole Grains. WebFair alfalfa hay $175 to $185, 775 tons overgrown or high moisture $160 to $165. 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. 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 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. If buying grass hay, maturity at harvest will also make a difference in its nutrient quality. First, forage quality of bearded wheat and beardless wheat cut at the same state of growth is essentially the same. Read my article How Many Bales Of Hay Do Sheep Need? Sheep, like goats, prefer fine, leafy hay and will not eat coarse hay. There is often more waste as horses will sort through the hay, looking for grain or sorting It should smell good, not musty, sour Video: Make An Obelisk Trellis From Tree Limbs & Sticks, Colorful Orpingtons Flock To Cardinal Creek Homestead, Hard Lessons Learned, From Incubation To Coop, Get Cozy In This Cool Coop At Almosta Farm, All Hay Is Not Equal: Choose Your Livestocks Carefully. A few short awns (1/2) are observed on TAM 204 (left) vs. TAM 401. A small amount of alfalfa, or a commercial protein supplement, can provide the needed protein, minerals and vitamins. 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. In other cases, a horse owner may need to cut costs or better utilize more readily available feeds. Do you see plenty of leaves or are you seeing stems and seed heads? 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. Cereal grain crops (especially oats) can make good hay when cut while still green and growing, rather than waiting for the seed heads to mature for grain. 3. Growing cereals for hay A mix of grass and legume hay often works well. Webhay because the hay is a bit harder to manage than alfalfa. 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. Ca:P Ratio - 1.3:1. Alfalfa cut at full bloom drops to 15.5 percent crude protein, compared to 6.9 percent for late bloom timothy and 7.6 percent for late bloom orchard grass. This can become important when considering the ideal Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for horses, which should 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. EquiMed Staff - 04/11/2018 If a handful of hay bends easily in your hand, its fiber content is relatively low and it will be more digestible than if the stems snap like twigs. In many geographic regions that get only two or three cuttings of alfalfa per season, first-cutting alfalfa might be the preferred hay for horses. Alfalfa has two to three times as much calcium as grass hays. 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. Do lambs need drinking water as well or is grass wet enough? Alfalfa has about 16 to 20 percent protein, while grass hays are only 8 to 10 percent protein. Most of your sheep production year is centered around lambing. Subsequently, horses will select the grain-heads and consume less of the fiber portion of the forage. AgriLife Extension's online Bookstore offers educational information and resources related to our many areas of expertise and programming; from agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources to nutrition, wellness for families and youth, and much more. Overly mature hay is basically bedding. The dust is the mold spores. Regardless of storage time, you will need a way to keep it from getting wet or drawing moisture from the ground. 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 bread. Alfalfa Hay is also higher in Calcium, with about 3 times as much as Grass Hay. Surviving a wildfire: Thankful, Grateful, Blessed. A: From what you have told me, I wouldnt change a thing. One way to assess the maturity of alfalfa hay is the snap test. Always select good quality, clean straw when buying it for feed. Immature grass hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep. (Photo courtesy Dr. Emi Kimura, Vernon, TX). 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. Mixed hays or even hay with a few weeds shows that it was not sprayed. Robotika/Flickr. In addition, German millet can cause lesions in the horse's mouth. Is it better to feed her grass hay higher in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) or alfalfa lower in NSCs but higher in calories? Three string, 100lb bales. More mature oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat. 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%. 1). Coarse, thick-stemmed hay (overly mature) has more fiber and less nutrition than immature, leafy hay with finer stems. Beardless WW, trit, barley. 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.
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