A grain-based goat feed is best for does in milk as it has protein of about 16% like alfalfa. So, there are pros and cons for each type of hay, and good reasons why a blend of the two, or even 100% alfalfa or 100% grass hay could ideally meet your horses needs. There are many different kinds of roughage that a horse owner can use to feed horses. There are quite a few different types of hay that people feed to horses, but hay generally falls into one of two categories legumes and grasses. Although all hay is not the same, it differs in quality, availability, and variety. Heres an article from UC Davis about why horses should not have alfalfa. Copyright 2023 The Thrifty Homesteader |. Start tedding the hay the day within a day of cutting. The higher the RFV, the better quality the hay for . Lucerne vs. Alfalfa - Ask Difference Why did derick faison leave td jakes ministry? Do not combine loads of hay, even if they are different cuttings from the same field, or the same cutting from different years. Just remember that straw bales dry out fast, so you will need to pay careful attention to watering! While the lower relative nutrition level of grass hay makes it a good filler, it does have relatively more carbohydrates. Since straw has no seeds from weeds, it has a wider variety of uses in the garden. On average, alfalfa hay has much higher levels of protein, ranging from 15% to 21% depending on when the alfalfa was cut. It was a hard sell at first, but now they love it. supplement and oat based sweet feed. If they are under two months old, they probably need more milk. Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different. Alfalfa contains a high concentration of vitamin K, so patients currently taking any anticoagulant medication should seek their healthcare provider's input before taking any alfalfa product . Lets find out why. In addition, sun bleaching reduces palatability and carotene content. You might also want to read my article on growing tomato plants in straw or my article on growing potato plants in straw. It contains more nutrients than grass hay including protein, calcium, and energy. Ask the Vet Benefits and differences between grass hay and alfalfa hay, View complete answer on sweetwaternutrition.com, View complete answer on thriftyhomesteader.com, View complete answer on saddleupcolorado.net, View complete answer on alfalfa.ucdavis.edu, View complete answer on differencebetween.net, View complete answer on iamcountryside.com, View complete answer on survivalfreedom.com, View complete answer on deephollowranch.com, View complete answer on horseracingsense.com, View complete answer on animalhealthcareofchesaning.com, View complete answer on animalrangeextension.montana.edu, View complete answer on thecattlesite.com, 1.) In that case, you would need to use the hay for compost but only if you can make sure any seeds will not grow! Although alfalfa is frequently used to feed horses and rabbits, its good for people, too. I need all the help I can get. Horses evolved as a grazing animal, which means that they are meant to nibble on small amounts of food over the course of an entire day, and most of this food should be in the form of roughage, or hay. Alfalfa hay, sometimes called lucerne hay, is the most popular legume hay fed to horses in the U.S., while timothy and orchard are popular grass hay choices. We work to create a vibrant community of like-hearted people serving as a force for good in the lives of small pets and the big world we live in. These hays are higher in protein and minerals and are more palatable than grass hays. The dried up and dead stalks are still standing in the field, so then the farmer goes back and cuts the brown stalks and bales them as straw. Clovers with mature seeds, dark brown heads, and plump are fully mature. Great article! Thats a shame. But remember, these feeds have different uses. 52 Fun Facts About Alfalfa (with Photos, ID & Info) But remember, depending on what you want, one must be better than the other. Mobile equine veterinary practice serving the West Denver Metro and Foothills area. Timothy Hay vs. Alfalfa: What's the Difference? - Deep Hollow Ranch They may also be having a challenge with coccidiosis or worms. Calf Manna is extremely high in protein, which is tough on goats. Changes in management or a horses routine can be stressful and contribute to colic risk as well. Is this a good practice? Like all grasses, if oats are allowed to just keep growing, they go to seed. Alfalfa has two to three times as much calcium as grass hays. Remember to use it on horses, rabbits, cows, sheep, and many other animals. It's really good for putting on weight fast Alfalfa is a type of leguminous plant that is made into hay.. 105 alfalfa hay samples under . Determining the stage of maturity in grasses and legumes is easy before harvesting. We're not around right now. Youre welcome, Alysha! Whats the difference between hay and alfalfa? Its not a good idea to simply follow someone elses feeding plan like you would a cake recipe. Alfalfa, clover, and peanut are legume hays, while timothy, oat, bermuda, and orchard are examples of grass hays. Equi-analytical laboratories analyze feeds for hay producers as well as horse professionals around the country, and their 10 year averages are a good baseline for nutrition values. If the compost pile gets hot enough, you might be fine. How can you tell the difference between alfalfa and timothy hay? Wow what a difference in his attitude! The overly mature plants are less leafy and thick-stemmed and with higher fiber content and less nutritional value. Its easy to separate the two animals. Undesirable effects may result from ingestion of large amounts of alfalfa by livestock but may also be associated with the ingestion of small amounts of highly toxic plants present in alfalfa. Alfalfa hay is high-protein legume hay from the pea family. . These two hays have a pretty similar way of harvesting their materials. They get alfalfa pellets, and do not change personality - just keep weight on better. If you want to grow some cover crops (green manure) to restore nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil, composting hay might work out fine. While neither of these things is an out and out myth, they come from misunderstood feeding principles. I often hear people say they want to give their animals "the best" feed, and they assume alfalfa is best because it has more protein and calcium. Straw is left over from grain crops (like wheat) after you remove the grain and chaff. This study evaluated the feasibility of infrared spectroscopy (IR) in identifying different alfalfa hays. Some farmers will tell you that Timothy hay doesnt give enough nutrients. Straw is better than hay in certain situations. All Rights Reserved. Let's solve your gardening problems, spend more time growing, and get the best harvest every year! What is the difference between hay and alfalfa? If the seeds were not removed from straw, it would not be nearly as useful in the garden. This means that grass hay, not alfalfa hay, is a more dangerous food for an obese horse, or a horse with laminitis concerns. Many plants can be used as hay, but in Iowa today, alfalfa and clover are the most common. Hay is the common food for cattle, sheep, goats, and horses when pastures are scanty. This is because Alfalfa Hay meets most protein and nutrition needs with a smaller quantity than most Grass Hays do. Let. Alfalfa hay may not be the best feed for all horses in all situations, but it contains nutrients needed for many classes of horses. This is why I buy my hay from three different cuttings every year. Check out our deep dive on alfalfa to learn more about this important and enticing hay variety! Straw and hay each have specific uses where they work best. ask your local agricultural extension office (you can find a list of them by state here). Timothy) at the top of the ingredient list. Sometimes, hay is also made from legumes, which are things like alfalfa and clover. It also adds nutrients like proteins. https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-minerals/, https://thriftyhomesteader.teachable.com/p/goats101/, https://thriftyhomesteader.com/zinc-deficiency-goats/, https://thriftyhomesteader.com/what-do-goats-eat-it-depends/, https://www.valuemarketresearch.com/report/alfalfa-hay-market. Difference Between Alfalfa & Clover Hay - David Woods Hay Its also a much maligned feed. If youre sitting there thinking that youve seen oat straw before, you may have! I hope you found this article helpful. Which one seems to fit your horses needs or is best for you? When Alpacas Eat Alfalfa: It Isn't Pretty Welcome to 2021 So, to know which one is better between the two, you should look at the specs. How is it possible for mantle rock to flow? I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of our to goats and find your article helpful. I would love to try the hay forage! Alfalfa hay is a deep-rooted perennial forage crop which is obtained from the Alfalfa plant and also known as Lucerne and Medicago Sativa. We support community service, animal rescue organizations and the advancement of veterinary care to ensure we leave a positive mark on the world. , 2.) This hay has more things to help your animal grow. differences between baled hay, hay cubes, and hay pellets. Thank you for this article on alfalfa and grass hay. When I cant find enough good quality green hay, I supplement my goats, sheep, and pigs with hay pellets. Since straw contains very few (if any) seeds, it can be used in the garden without fear of spreading weeds (or grain crops) everywhere. Copyright All Rights Reserved Mobile Veterinary Services, LLC 2018. The steps are a little different, depending on where you live (and different seeds have link to What To Do If Seeds Do Not Germinate (5 Things To Get Right), link to How To Plant Seeds Indoors (7 Key Steps To Start Seeds Indoors). The plants also make the animals have to eat the hay. Choosing the right forage for your hay-loving herbivore can be confusing, but it doesnt need to be! Hay is a plant that has been cut, dried, and stored for animal feed. Hay is basically a grass that is cut green, then dried and baled. It is higher in calcium which can be good and bad. I also dont recommend protein pails or mineral blocks. With Timothy, your animals gut will be in a good state. Im currently waiting for my goat kids to arrive but when that do Ill know exactly what to feed them thanks to you. Grass hay is beneficial to all pets, young and old and should always be available. So, what should you do if your seeds How To Plant Seeds Indoors (7 Key Steps To Start Seeds Indoors). The nutrients in compost then become available to plants, helping them to grow. Please share your thoughts with us. Dry adult does, bucks and wethers can wind up with zinc deficiency if they get too much alfalfa. Establishing alfalfa-grass mixtures | UMN Extension Why does alfalfa cause bloat in the first place? The bones and teeth will also be strong. Expect to see the Timothy hay look like long grasses put together. Also, if you store hay without any moisture, it wont have any issues with molds. Grass Hays are generally lower in overall nutrition than alfalfa hay, but this makes grass hay ideal to meet the needs of filling a horse up and making them feel full, while still meeting their nutrient needs. Alfalfa: weighing the risks and benefits - Clinical Advisor IF I am able to find some alfalfa hay this year (would be cheaper than the pellets), then I would only use the pellets when the dairy goat is being milked. Also, the ratio of calcium minerals to phosphorus is 2 to 1. As Americans moved west onto the Great Plains in the 19th century, they would often use the prairie grasses that were growing there to feed their livestock. Alfalfa is recognized as one of the most nutritious forages available and is widely used as conserved forage (ex, hay, silage) in the diets of beef and dairy cattle. Straw and hay have some things in common but theyre not the same. Thanks. Also, clover and peanut feeds can make Alfalfa hay. Cover crops and green manures in home gardens | UMN Extension Let David Woods Hay Service help you distinguish those differences! Alfalfa vs. Clover Hay: Everything You Need to Know, 10 Things to Consider Before Buying Alfalfa Hay, 9 Environmental Benefits of Feeding Alfalfa Hay, Choosing The Right Size Square Hay Bales For Your Livestock. But the prices of the hays can make you change the view between the two types. Learn Their Sleeping Habits. Clover and grass hay (different types of clovers like red, white, etc.) You can learn how to grow potatoes in straw bales in my article here, and you can learn about growing tomatoes in straw bales in my article here. This pollen travels in the wind to fertilize the female parts of the grass. Well start with the Timothy hay. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. Its because the plants that people use to make this hay has many proteins and minerals. Not sure if you have straw or hay? But that is why I was asking about grain or feed. What is the relationship between Commerce and economics? For example, you should choose an adult rabbit or guinea pig food with grass hay-based ingredients (e.g. Of course, you can also put a straw bale up on top of a raised bed you can learn more about raised beds here. adroll_version = "2.0"; The stage of maturity refers to the age at which the plant was harvested. Both have their uses in a garden or on a farm but its important to know which is which. Bucks get Timothy hay, and forage. What is the difference between coastal hay and alfalfa? . The difference between alfalfa and hay is: hay is grass that has been cut and dried, alfalfa is green (not dried) alfalfa hayis the plant cut and dried. Generally alfalfa is a good hay to feed horses, but there are caveats: Dont overfeed alfalfa. Bison Producers of Alberta :: Nutrition Feeding your Bison The difference between hay and straw | AGDAILY If its still not to be used as food, then it can readily be stored some place else. What does it mean to call a minor party a spoiled? https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-minerals/, I use the Standee Alfalfa pellets for my horse,! (Imagine spreading out straw in your garden to grow potatoes and getting a wheat crop later on!). Since it decomposes over time, straw used as mulch will eventually return its nutrients and organic matter to the soil just like compost. Alfalfa contains higher concentrations of protein and calcium compared to timothy hay (Table 1). The impression that alfalfa makes a horse hot is usually the result of an improper amount of alfalfa being fed. Alfalfas Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Alfalfa, and hay? - Hamster Central thanks! Although I quickly learned that hay is food and straw is bedding, I just assumed that all hay was the same. 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