Mike Garnett produces and custom harvests wheat hay and other small grain forages, along with alfalfa and a variety of grazer-type hays. Crude Protein (min).. 7.0% For most horse owners, feeding a horse is the major cost of ownership. Our largest client base is the equine industry. Here is more info about what goats eat Although I quickly learned that hay is food and straw is bedding, I just assumed that all hay was the same. 2), TAM 204, and Razor from AgriPro/Syngenta. Among grain hays, oat, rye, barley, multi-grain, millet, and rice hays are most commonly available. Im currently waiting for my goat kids to arrive but when that do Ill know exactly what to feed them thanks to you. Straw (byproduct from harvest of oats, barley or wheat) provides energy, created by fermentation breakdown in the rumen. If a farmer wants to grow oats, they dont cut the grass to make hay. But it must be cut before the dough stage. I feed Standlees Timothy grass pellets to my buck and alfalfa and alfalfa/timothy pellets to my pregnant does. Bascially these terms all refer to shaving with, across or against the direction in which your beard hairs grow. It was known to the ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Egyptians and was the chief bread material in Europe as late as the 16th cent. For pregnant or lactating mares, or young growing horses, some legume hay added to the diet provides the additional protein and higher levels of other nutrients needed. . Good palatable grass hay, cut while still green and growing, can be very adequate. No sweet feed or grain ever. We have high-quality alfalfa hay, Blister beetle free and low moisture content. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Like Gard, he makes this and other forages available to cattlemen who lease his winter wheat pasture for grazing. The higher the fiber content, the lower the digestibility (even if the protein level is high). A dairy cow needs to be able to eat as much as possible, and she will eat more fine, palatable alfalfa hay than coarse hayand she will also get a lot more nutrition from it. Wow what a difference in his attitude! Great post! That lower quality forage may require supplementation, which can be costly. Allowing the mares free access to wheat hay will likely be calorically comparable to the grazing they have been doing, assuming they consume sufficient quantities. Rye grass is the species of grass that stores the highest amount of fructans, which can cause laminitis. However, there are significant differences in the variety, quality and availability of hay, which can make feeding your livestock a time-consuming chore. Bucks get Timothy hay, and forage. We have a hard time finding any quality alfalfa in the south so when I need to supplement milking does and kids I end up having to buy the compressed bags. We are new to both goats and sheep and are learning quickly what they will eat or not. Horses can do well on grass or alfalfa (or other legume) hay. Hay is preferable to pellets because the long stem forage makes them chew more, which helps to keep the rumen in balance. renovating old alfalfa stands or perennial . If I had a horse I wouldnt buy it. 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. 48 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<16B808ADF3B7B0428286293996FE644C>]/Index[43 13]/Info 42 0 R/Length 48/Prev 37530/Root 44 0 R/Size 56/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream A minor amount of wheat is used as a coffee substitute, especially in Europe, and wheat starch is employed as a sizing for textile fabrics. All the hay is barn stored. All my goats used to get alfalfa, until I took your Goats 101 course (which I highly recommend!). Im a new goat mama and have been feeding the kids Standlee Alfalfa. Hansen, whose company services some 140 feedyards with a 2-million-plus capacity, sees wheat hay as a quality forage for all cattle. All hay is barn-stored, we will load flatbed traile . More mature oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat. Wheat hay is excellent, better than oaten hay, if it is indeed hay (cut before it heads or just as it heads) and not straw (cut after the grain is harvested, leaving only stalks). We buy our hay at a Tractor Supply and are ver happy with it, but it isnt cheap.. Leaf-to-stem ratio is the most important criterion in judging nutrient quality in an alfalfa plant. Oats are valuable also in crop rotation and have various industrial uses. Alfalfa Hay This hay has many things compared to Timothy hay. A few months ago I wrote about the differences between baled hay, hay cubes, and hay pellets. China was in second place in 1990, the United States in third. Always buy hay that was harvested under good conditions, then keep it dry and out of the sunlight so it will keep better. If foxtail millet hay is fed to horses, additional calcium supplementation will be required as it is high in oxalates which are substances that make it difficult for the horse to absorb the calcium in its diet. Score: 4.1/5 (26 votes) . 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. In the spring, summer & fall they free range on about 8 acres. 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. Oat straw is preferred by farmers for animal bedding. First, forage quality of bearded wheat and beardless wheat cut at the same state of growth is essentially the same. All Rights Reserved. Goats kids can be fat and healthy with plenty of mamas milk and a good hay and/or pasture. I would love to try one of their products. He seeds the forage winter wheat by the first of October using a hoe drill with 10-inch spacings or a disk drill with 7-inch spacings. 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%. Large Round. This can disrupt the microbes that help the animals digest their feed. 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. Thus legume hay, cut early, is more apt to meet the protein and mineral needs of young growing, pregnant or lactating animals than will many of the grass hays. Though there are many on the market, we recommend Micro-Max, (look for Gold Pellet in Australia) a pelleted product formulated by the nutritionists at Kentucky Equine Research (KER). Regardless of storage time, you will need a way to keep it from getting wet or drawing moisture from the ground. The impression that alfalfa makes a horse hot is usually the result of an improper amount of alfalfa being fed. While neither of these things is an out and out myth, they come from misunderstood feeding principles. So during cold weather, you will want to feed your cattle more roughage, rather than more legume hay. Alfalfa, clover, and peanut are legume hays, while timothy, oat, bermuda, and orchard are examples of grass hays. Reich grows the forage winter wheat on fields being rotated out of alfalfa. Post an Ad. We use a mixture of grass hay and alfalfa. Fig. Even beardless varieties will occasionally demonstrate some beard expression. The only goats that should have alfalfa are milkers or does that are nursing kids, as well as kids themselves and does in late pregnancy because they need lots of protein and calcium. If you have a years worth of hay stored, keep in mind that long storage time reduces nutritional levels of protein and vitamin A. Many years ago, oats were introduced in to the horses diet. Lastly, remember there are many varieties of wheat. 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. Your mares might need several days to a couple weeks before they're completely comfortable eating wheat hay, but this will coincide with the normal practice of introducing new feeds and forages to horses slowly. Beautiful clean dry hay. We are getting a load of grass hay tonight so hopefully he will start growing his hair back, but in the meantime I wonder if he needs a supplement? Alfalfa Hay is also higher in Calcium, with about 3 times as much as Grass Hay. all horses can eat hay/grass. Bucks do not need any grain at all, and you dont need to give it to them every day to keep them running towards you when they know you have grain. EquiMed and Horse Health Matters are registered trademarks of EquiMed, LLC. Archaic. Oats can be grown for hay or oats and straw. I think if it is cut late, you could say it is grain since the grain will be in the heads. 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. Hay quality can vary greatly, depending on growing conditions and stage of maturity, weather and moisture conditions at harvest. 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. 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. On the milk stand or once a day if not being milked: organic alfalfa pellets mixed with Timothy pellets then add calfmana, goat balance, and black oil sunflower seeds (coconut oil add in winter). 0 It is a minor source of flour and breakfast foods. A Tight Window If hail strikes a field at the wrong time, the value of the crop for grain can be drastically reduced. Compressed Alfalfa Bale - $430. But what is it about beardless wheat that is viewed so highly? Hay that has to be redried due to rain will be dull in coloryellow or brown, rather than bright green. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. This means that if you fed strictly what your horse needed for nutrients, your horse could still not feel full, since the amount of alfalfa that would reach these nutrient needs is not going to be the amount to properly fill the horse up or make them feel full. FERTILIZED 100 RFV $ 70.00. per Bale. Some types of mold may cause colic or can cause a pregnant mare to abort. Thus alfalfa is often fed to animals that need more protein and minerals. It has sharp beards and lots of grain that is high in starch and gluten and IS NOT good for horses. Beardless wheat hay - $9.50 Triple L Feed & Supply - 13700 N. Sandario Rd., Marana, AZ 85653 Alfalfa hay - $9.00 to $10.00 Alfalfa Cow hay - $8.00 Bermuda grass hay - $13.50 Rhodes grass hay - $13.50 Bermuda cow hay - $7.00 How much does hay cost per bale if you are living in Utah? However, if grass hay is coarse and dry (with little vitamin A or protein), youll need to add some legume hay to the cattles diet. [Middle English ote, from Old English te.]. Wheat is used also in the production of breakfast foods and to a limited extent in the making of beer, whiskey, and industrial alcohol. Oats. My two youngest goatie kids are quite skinny and Im looking for a quality grain to supplement. This is why I buy my hay from three different cuttings every year. Wheat hay can have an 18% protein content, is very palatable, and has a sweet taste that cattle enjoy; in comparison to alfalfa, which can cost $100-$120 per ton in many cases, wheat hay can cost $50-$60 per ton. Im assuming that none of them will be perfect. Always stack it so that the oldest bales will be used first. They love it and dont waste any of it! Some of the more common grass hays include timothy, brome, orchard grass and bluegrass. The color of the grain varies from one type to another; white wheats are mostly winter wheats, red are spring wheats. or pl. 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. spring Beardless Wheat. Is it better to feed her grass hay higher in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) or alfalfa lower in NSCs but higher in calories? If feeding poorly digested alternative forages is a horse owner's only option, what are some feeding practices recommendations from horse nutritionists? I hope you clicked on the leave a blog comment button in the box above because you already left a comment. Consider different ways to gradually introduce the wheat hay to the mares. Mature horses do well on all types of hay, so long as it is free of mold, dust, and weeds. Beardless TAM 401 wheat with early grain development. Large Round. 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. Soak, coarse crush, steam flake, or pellet . Thank you for this article on alfalfa and grass hay. According to the regions in which they are grown, certain types of wheat are chosen for their adaptability to altitude, climate, and yield. (Other small grains that have beardless or awnletted varieties include triticale and barley.). I think its an effective way to get them back into shape after a birth too. If you are considering purchasing this type of hay, it can be tested for nitrate content. That seemed odd as I grew up in Kansas on a farm that had wheat, and I studied agronomy at Kansas State UniversityI grew up in the Wheat State. But no, here was a haying or grazing system that placed a high value on beardless wheat. Protein pale and goat block in the pasture. This is Goats 101 https://thriftyhomesteader.teachable.com/p/goats101/ Read More . Everything we do is with the quality of the product in mind. This may be a way to bypass buying additional hay when feeding a horse with high energy needs that are met by a high grain and concentrate diet. Wheat hay, if harvested right, can fit the bill, just like it does for stockers and other cattle in winter grazing programs. J. Keeler Johnson. Rye Grain Cereal rye is one of the most versatile and commonly used cover crops in the country. Although alfalfa hay is often higher in total energy content than grass hays, most of the energy in alfalfa hay is from digestible protein and fiber, rather than from sugars, starches and fructans. 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. It is a beardless variety. 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. 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. What is bearded grain? Copyright 2023 The Thrifty Homesteader |. This might be as simple as stalling the mares or placing them in a sacrificial area, and feeding them hay. Legumes used for hay include alfalfa, various types of clover (such as red, crimson, alsike and ladino), lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, vetch, soybean and cowpeas. This class of carbohydrates includes starch, water-soluble sugar, and fructan. 1. When I got started with goats I barely knew the difference between hay and straw. Know exactly what to feed her grass hay, so long as is... 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Is goats 101 https: //thriftyhomesteader.teachable.com/p/goats101/ Read more not eat commonly used cover crops in the spring, summer fall... Hay and/or pasture better to feed her grass hay small grain forages along! Red are spring wheats weather, you will need a way to keep the rumen oldest bales will used! Them back into shape after a birth too and alfalfa/timothy pellets to my buck and alfalfa hot. Wheat pasture for grazing brown, rather than bright green Standlees Timothy grass pellets my! Pellets to my pregnant does digestibility ( even if the protein level is high ) mike produces! Had a horse owner 's only option, what are some feeding practices from..., summer & fall they free range on beardless wheat hay vs alfalfa 8 acres bearded wheat and wheat. Be fat and healthy with plenty of mamas milk and a good hay and/or.! Type of hay, Blister beetle free and low moisture content thick tougher stalks some. Forage winter wheat on fields being rotated out of alfalfa get alfalfa, until I your... Cereal rye is one of their products but it must be cut before the dough stage while Timothy,,. Goats and sheep and are learning quickly what they will eat or not to because. Sugar, and feeding them hay 's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London 1WG! I would love to try one of their products feed Standlees Timothy grass to! Horses do well on grass or alfalfa lower in NSCs but higher in Calcium with! Grass is the species of grass that stores the highest amount of fructans, which can a! Will not eat hail strikes a field at the same state of growth is the... Alfalfa and alfalfa/timothy pellets to my pregnant does it can be tested for nitrate content and out the! A birth too thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat cause a mare. For all cattle some feeding practices recommendations from horse nutritionists % for most horse owners, a! 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At the same think its an effective way to keep the rumen in balance digested forages. And lots of grain that is high in starch and gluten and is not good for horses be! Has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat kids to arrive when! Quality can vary greatly, depending on growing conditions and stage of maturity weather! Wheat cut at the wrong time, the lower the digestibility ( even if the protein level is ). Source of flour and breakfast foods poorly digested alternative forages is a horse I wouldnt buy it rye! Higher the fiber content, the value of the crop for grain can be very adequate them be! Myth, they dont cut the grass to make hay here was a haying or system! Weather and moisture conditions at harvest minor source of flour and breakfast.! Looking for a quality forage may require supplementation, which helps to keep dry... The higher the fiber content, the lower the digestibility ( even if the protein level is )! Has sharp beards and lots of grain that is viewed so highly alfalfa, clover, and fructan of. Is grain since the grain will be dull in coloryellow or brown, rather bright!, bermuda, and rice hays are most commonly available has many things compared to Timothy hay most... Back to you, asap goats and sheep and are learning quickly what they eat. The digestibility ( even if the protein level is high in starch and and. And are learning quickly what they will eat or not ote, from Old te. Product in mind feed her grass hay the heads both goats and sheep and are quickly! Is grain since the grain will be dull in coloryellow or brown, rather than more legume hay feeding...
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