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Is all hay the same?
Grass hay is grass hay. They are not different products; it’s all the same Timothy grass hay. The reason the term “grass hay” is used is to distinguish it from legume hay, such as alfalfa or peanut, which is richer. They are not different products; it’s all the same Timothy grass hay.
How do I know what kind of hay I have?
Good quality hay should be bright green in color with little fading. A bleached, yellow, brown or black color may indicate aged hay, mold or poor storage conditions. Storage condition and age have a significant effect on vitamin content of hays.
What does good brome hay look like?
Brome is typically green to dark green to blueish green and has a broader blade. This hay is high in protein, but lower in calcium than legume hay. It is highly palatable.
What cutting is best for hay?
The most common choice of hay is second cutting, but first cutting is also good for horses, plus it is usually cheaper than the other two. Choose hay that is soft, green, and leafy, with thin stems, so it is easier for horses to eat.
What does good quality hay look like?
Look for the following characteristics: Maturity – High quality hay will have a high proportion of leaves in the bale, with few or no coarse stems or seed heads. Condition – High quality hay will contain little dust or mold. Color & odor – High quality hay generally has a bright green color and a sweet, fresh odor.
What kind of hay is best for a horse?
Types of legume hay for horses: 1 Alfalfa 2 Clovers (Red, White, Sweet., Alsike, Yellow Sweetclover) 3 Birdsfoot Trefoil
What kind of grass to cut for hay?
Depending on the species, fescues are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Orchard grass (Dactylis spp.) is a perennial grass with fibrous roots that can be used for both pasture grass or hay. It grows in USDA zones 5 through 8. For best quality, hay should be cut just as flowers begin to emerge.
What’s the difference between Hay and straw for horses?
Like the old joke suggests, hay is for horses. When farmers plant a hay field, the field is harvested before the grains go to seed. This keeps valuable nutrients in the stalks and makes for a much more well-rounded diet for horses and other forms of livestock. Straw, on the other hand, is a byproduct of other types of grain crops.
What’s the difference between coarse hay and alfalfa hay?
Coarse, thick-stemmed hay (overly mature) has more fiber and less nutrition than immature, leafy hay with finer stems. If buying alfalfa hay, you’ll want to know if it is first, second or third cutting (or later), and at what stage of growth it was harvested. Although there are differences between cuttings, quality is most important.