Alfalfa

Alfalfa is widely grown throughout the world as forage for cattle, and is most often harvested as hay, but can also be made into silage, grazed, or fed as green chop. Alfalfa has the highest feeding value of all common hay crops, being used less frequently as pasture. When grown on soils where it is well-adapted, alfalfa is the highest yielding forage plant. Its primary use is as feed for dairy cattle (Because of its high protein), and secondarily for beef cattle, horses, sheep, and goats.

Timothy

It is commonly grown for cattle feed and, in particular, as hay for horses. It is relatively high in fibre, especially when cut late. It is considered part of the standard mix for grass hay and provides quality nutrition for horses. Timothy Hay is a staple food for domestic pet rabbits, guinea pigs,chinchillas, and degus, often making up the bulk of their diet.

Orchard Grass

Orchard Grass is a common grass, native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has been naturalized into North America. It is widely used for hay and as a forage grass because of its high yields and sugar content, sweeter than most other temperate grasses. In the United States, it is commonly called "Orchard Grass", because it tolerates moderate shade.

Straw

Straw may be fed as part of the roughage component of the diet to cattle that are on a near maintenance level of energy requirement. It has a low digestible energy and nutrient content. The heat generated when microorganisms in a herbivore's gut digest straw can be useful in maintaining body temperature in cold climates. Due to the risk of impaction and its poor nutrient profile, it should always be restricted to part of the diet.  It is commonly used as bedding for ruminants and horses. It may be used as bedding and food for small animals, but this often leads to injuries to mouth, nose and eyes as straw is quite sharp.

 

Storing Hay

Most horse and cattle owners stock hay toward the end of summer (July and August) just after the final cuts because the price is significantly lower than in later months. If this is your plan for this summer, you'll need to find a way to store the hay for winter. Improperly stored hay can be a magnet for insects as well as mold, dust and other pollutants. If your hay becomes inedible, you'll have lost a significant amount of money.

The two most common worries when you store hay for the winter is dampness and poor air circulation. When hay sits in a damp climate with no ventilation, it can easily mold and ferment, and might even spontaneously combust. Hay is packed tightly into bales, so you'll need to find ways to keep it dry and cool until the winter temperatures begin to drop.

Check Your Bales

This is an especially important point if you are purchasing hay from a new vendor. Check at least three or four bales by plunging your hand into the center. If it feels damp and hot, the hay probably won't survive through the winter. You want hay that is relatively cool at the center and completely free of built-up moisture. You must also get close to the bales so you can smell them; musty smells are indicative of mold.

Build a Shed

It is never a good idea to store hay for the winter in the same building in which your horses are kept. If the heat develops, which it will often do in hay lofts, spontaneous combustion could set the entire structure on fire. Instead, build a shed or hay barn with a cover to protect the hay from ray and direct sunlight. If possible, build the hay shed at least 100 yards from your barn.

Create Ventilation

A hay shed is a great way to store hay for the winter, but it must be properly ventilated. Roof vents are the easiest way to go, with additional vents on the side of the structure. It is also a good idea to install fans that will turn on when the temperature inside the shed exceeds ninety degrees. If you must run the fans continuously, however, it is usually safe to turn them off at night.

Steve Thompson AC

email:       wildernesshay@msn.com