Alfalfa Hay

1. Alfalfa HayAlfalfa hay is an exnt source of good quality protein and fiber. Alfalfa is a legume hay in the pea family and is sometimes called “lucerne”. These hays are higher in protein and minerals and are more palatable than grass hays. Alfalfa in particular is high in energy and is an exnt source of vitamins and minerals. When properly cured, alfalfa is the best of the legume hays from a nutrient standpoint. It has the most feed value of all the perennial pasture forages. Alfalfa is used as for horses, dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, chickens, turkeys and other farm animals.With its high nutritional quality, Alfalfa hay is one of the best and most popular horse feed varieties available. Alfalfa is included in the rations for young growing animals, breeding animals, and adult working horses. Its high protein, calcium and vitamin content make it especially useful in balancing rations for brood mares and young growing horses. Its palatability makes it especially popular for horses that are finicky about eating.Alfalfa hay is harvested starting in early spring in southern states such as Arizona, and usually begins in May in northern Pacific Northwest states. Fields are cut several times each season, up to eight times in warmer growing regions. Nutrition is at its highest when Alfalfa is cut pre-bloom. This indicates that nutrition is maintained in the leaf and stem of the plant, instead of moving into the flower when the head is fully developed. Nutrition plays a large role in the quality and grading of Alfalfa, in addition to texture and color qualities that vary according to specific livestock requirements.Recommended RatiosRecommendations are stated in kilos per head per day, and are part of a complete feeding regimen. Nutrition listed is an average sample, and varies based on quality of forage. Recommendations are calculated on a DM basis, using 89.4% DM as shown adjacent.Weight (Kg)%Kg / dayHorse5000.73.9Dairy Cattle5452.314.0Beef Cattle5452.012.2Camel (Maintenance)4551.05.0Camel (Lactating)4552.613.2Goat553.01.8Sheep (Maintenance)551.71.0Sheep (Lactating)553.82.3Sample Test Results% Dry Matter BasisDry Matter89.4Crude Protein18.8Digestible Protein14.4Acid Detergent Fiber30.5Neutral Detergent Fiber39.3Lignin5.3RFV154Fat2.09Starch3.67Esc4.1NSC13.1ASH12.0WSC9.4Calcium1.83srus0.21Potassium1.8Magnesium0.35Nitrate Nitrogen mg/kg60TDN67.3Digestible Energy3.0Digestible Dry Matter66.12. Timothy HayTimothy Hay is an exceptional roughage and fiber source. It is a late-maturing bunchgrass with a relatively low protein and high fiber content. The long stem and consistent quality allows good consumption and provides good conditioning for livestock. Timothy hay forms a long bulb as it grows which stores carbohydrates. The leaves are smooth and hairless, and seeds are very small and can up to three million seeds per kilogram.Timothy hay isa cool-season grass with specific climate requirements due to its shallow root system. It grows best in areas with cool springs and dry, warm summers. Washington State is known world-wide for its Timothy hay quality and has perfectly suited growing and harvesting conditions. Once the grass hay is cut, it is sun-cured in windrows where the warm winds dry the hay to a moisture level that allows for compressed baling and storage without moisture and mold issues. The low precipitation levels in this region allow for perfectly sun-cured hay with low risk of rain washing out any color or nutrients while in the windrows.For many years, Timothy hay has been well known and widely used in the race horse industry. The product was discovered by race horse owners as their premium feed for award-winning Kentucky Derby horses.Recommended RatiosRecommendations are stated in kilos per head per day, and are part of a complete feeding regimen. Nutrition listed is an average sample, and varies based on quality of forage. Recommendations are calculated on a DM basis, using 93.9% DM as shown adjacent.Weight (Kg)%Kg / dayHorse5001.89.5Dairy Cattle5452.514.5Beef Cattle5451.911.0Camel (Maintenance)4551.57.2Sample Test Results% Dry Matter BasisDry Matter93.9Crude Protein12.0Digestible Protein7.9Acid Detergent Fiber35.9Neutral Detergent Fiber58.1Lignin5.5RFV98.0Fat2.46Esc9.8NSC11.1ASH2.4WSC11.1TDN60.3Digestible Energy2.7Digestible Dry Matter61.0Calcium0.32Iron79.0Potassium1.92Magnesium0.14Sodium0.01Zinc28.143. Straw ProductsRye Grass Straw Baled following seed harvest, this high fiber, economically priced roughage is used as livestock feed. Rye Grass Straw, most popular with export beef industry users, is also gaining in popularity with dairy farmers.Fescue Grass Straw Fescue Grass Straw is also popular with dairy farmers in the export market and is successfully fed in the beef market. It has a coarser, longer stem compared to Rye. It is also considered very good, economically priced roughage.Orchard Grass Straw Like Rye and Fescue, Orchard Grass Straw is another very good roughage or filler. It has a coarser stem and is a popular source of fiber in the export market.Blue Grass Straw Blue Grass Straw is a high quality grass straw. It has the highest feed value of all grass straws and is popular in both domestic and export markets for dairy and beef cows.Recommended RatiosRecommendations are stated in kilos per head per day, and are part of a complete TMR (Total Mixed Ratio). A dairy nutrition can help design a TMR based on gestation and lactation stages.Weight (Kg)Kg / dayDairy Cattle5450.25 – 0.9Beef Cattle5450.25 – 0.45TMR Feeding Advantages- Minimizes selective consumption- Provides more control and accuracy of feed amounts- Can increase milk production- Increase rumen fermentation- Improves nutrient balance