is hay and alfalfa the same thing

Alfalfa hay is typically higher in protein and essential nutrients than timothy hay, making Alfalfa a better option for more active animals that need a high protein diet. This can become important when considering the ideal Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for horses, which should be about 2:1. makes their horses too hot. Thats because healthy adult animals generally have lower energy requirements. Is hay and alfalfa the same thing? When your horse or rabbit feeds on this hay, it will add more roughage to the body. The basic idea is that you water the straw bale and add some fertilizer to provide the necessary nutrients for your plants. We buy our hay at a Tractor Supply and are ver happy with it, but it isnt cheap.. Clover hay is the other legume hay suitable for horses but not as popular with horse owners. Hay - Living History Farms, Iowa | learning-fields Heres how these hays cost. It is common here for folks to feed 100% alfalfa, and the horses don't drop like flies or go psycho. Pets meeting one these criteria can eat unlimited amounts of alfalfa. Grass Hay averages 10.8% protein and 12.9% NSC. Opinions as to which should be fed, when, and what is the right mixture of the two if they are combined. 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. Very healthy, happy, beautiful, spoiled goats. So, if you want to give your horse, rabbits, or other animals more roughage, then you should pick on Timothy hay. Timothy) at the top of the ingredient list. The higher the RFV, the better quality the hay for . 1. In addition to bud and bloom, consider checking the stem size, texture, and the number of leaves. Straw can be used as an ingredient in compost, as a type of mulch, as animal bedding (or feed), and for straw bale gardening. Wow what a difference in his attitude! Alfalfas Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster . While initial hay fields may have naturally evolved from grasses filling in areas of lost alfalfa plants, today's . Are you allowed to carry food into indira gandhi stadium? This means that its difficult to maintain the sugar levels without using a wide-swath, same-day haylage which speeds up drying and preserves the nutrients. So, it will be easy to separate this hay from the Timothy hay because of the colors. In this article, well take a look at two popular but uniquely different types of hay: alfalfa and Timothy hay. Straw comes about as a result (byproduct) of grain production. We can also use it as mulch while it is still fresh before it decomposes. We use a mixture of grass hay and alfalfa. It was a hard sell at first, but now they love it. Threshing separates the grain crop into these three parts: The straw is then packed into bales, which are tied with twine. This is mainly due to the way it is made (and what is removed from it during processing). A tractor supply can sell Timothy hay at $22 per 50lb. Mobile equine veterinary practice serving the West Denver Metro and Foothills area. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. It's really good for putting on weight fast Alfalfa is a type of leguminous plant that is made into hay.. The Hay Wars: The Truth About Grass Hay vs. Alfalfa Hay, http://www.mvsequine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mvslogo1.gif, https://www.mvsequine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/horsegrazinginfieldviaPublicDomainPhotosFlickr-500x198.jpg. adroll_adv_id = "AUXQYCT7TBAD7G4ZKEUJQH"; Like many legumes, this type of hay has a deep green and bright color. An alfalfa-based uniform pellet provides a nutrient-dense diet to support animals during these stages of life. By using Oxbow Animal Health's website, you accept our. Alfalfa Hay (also known as Legume Hay) averages 21.2% protein and 11% NSC (simple starches). The color of the alfalfa and clover hay is affected by the following: Hay contains sugars, starch, and fiber. We currently feed our goats with grass hay from our property. If you compost hay, remember that you may have to contend with the seeds of the grasses and legumes that were used to make the hay. Where is the tallest General Electric Building located? We are dedicated to growing, sourcing and creating the best and most appropriate products for small pets to ensure total wellbeing throughout their lives. Here are the steps involved in making straw. Straw has many potential uses, including: You can also use straw in crafting (to make baskets) or basic construction (to make thatch roofs). These hays are higher in protein and minerals and are more palatable than grass hays. Lets begin with the looks of Timothy hay. Alfalfa hay can cause horses to founder and develop laminitis due to the excess nutrients provided by the high quality hay if too much is fed. Read on to see what will help you separate the two feeds. Clovers with mature seeds, dark brown heads, and plump are fully mature. The alfalfa looks more like pale green legumes. Bison will do very well on alfalfa hay. Finally, straw can be used as part of a straw bale gardening setup. The best grass that makes quality Timothy hay grow in areas with cool springs and dry summer times. Remember, the tops have many spikes that turn to flowers when they mature. Ultimately, scavengers such as coyotes and vultures eat the dead animals and complete the food chain. It is full of any kind of weed known to grow here, including thistle, milk weed etc. 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. According to the Oklahoma State University Extension, you will need to replace straw bales every year, learn how to grow potatoes in straw bales in my article here. This is much higher than the protein levels of grass hay, which typically contains 10% or less protein. adroll_pix_id = "AV4ZUZOYOBG4PCHSFGFXY6"; So, if you want to give your animal a balanced diet, you should go for the Alfalfa hay rather than the Timothy feeds. What is poor man and the rich man declamation about? If you want to read some of my most popular posts, check out the Best of GreenUpSide page here. Cover crops and green manures in home gardens | UMN Extension Remember, the amount of calcium in a feed is essential to look at before buying the meal for your horse. Every farm is different, which is why I always explain the WHY between the WHAT in my articles. Also, Timothy hay will give your horse lesser calories in the body. Clover also works as a fertilizer by adding nitrogen to the soil. When you plant seeds indoors, it helps to have a guide so you dont skip any steps (or go out of order). Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of good quality protein and fiber. No sweet feed or grain ever. Alfalfa fields continue to dominate the forage landscape across Midwestern states. Alfalfa - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics However, they are prone to fungus, and red clover can cause excess salivation in horses. Unlike the Timothy hay, this hay comes from legumes. You can grow lots of different plants in straw bales (including tomatoes and potatoes). Standlee Forage makes hay pellets with alfalfa, timothy, and oat grass. If youre sitting there thinking that youve seen oat straw before, you may have! Why did derick faison leave td jakes ministry? Grass Hay averages 10.8% protein and 12.9% NSC. Mature beef cattle can get by on rather plain hayof any typebut if lactating they will need adequate protein. That means that if youre milking your does for the first three months of pregnancy, they are just always eating alfalfa from pregnancy through milking. Types of Horse Bits: Which is Right for You? Alfalfa is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense food. What is grass pollen? 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. Expect your animal to get 8% of proteins but 32% of fiber content. Straw is also drier than hay, which means that it is less likely to mold right away. The nutritional profiles vary greatly between the legumes and the grass hays. But still, it can help make the bones of your horse look stronger. For example, 1 cup (33 grams) of alfalfa sprouts contains a mere 8 calories. Top quality feedscontain 60% total digestible nutrients (TDN), 70% protein, and 90% vitamins, all of which are on the leaves. Four months is good but three months would be better. Hay bales often have more moisture than straw bales. If it was newly baled, it should still be green on the outside, but over time, the outside of the bale will fade to brown, although it will still be green inside. If goat kids are underweight, the answer is not grain. Alfalfa Meal: Fertilizer to Super-Charge Your Soil But that is why I was asking about grain or feed. Oats can be grown for hay or oats and straw. We feed first cut grass hay from our farm! 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. Typically bucks recover from zinc deficiency just fine after you remove alfalfa from their diet. Lets start with the nutrients in the Timothy hay. Tradition holds that timothy hay and oats are the best feeds for horses, and that alfalfa and corn spell disaster. Thanks. Let David Woods Hay Service help you distinguish those differences! The best type of legume that helps in making this hay is Lucerne. Im not a horse expert, but I think most horses do okay on grass hay. What goes up with 2 legs and comes back down with 3? The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Roughage is one of the most important parts of a horses diet, and a good source of roughage can provide almost all of a horses nutritional needs, outside of water. or legumes (alfalfa, clover, etc.). If you want to find places to buy straw or hay in person (instead of online or at a chain store), ask your local agricultural extension office (you can find a list of them by state here). After that, dry, then bale it. according to the American Association of Equine practicitioners, hay made from legumes (like alfalfa) is higher in protein, energy, calcium, and vitamin A than hay from grasses. They help reduce soil splash and erosion, and keep weeds in check. This hay has more things to help your animal grow. How can you tell the difference between alfalfa and timothy hay? Alfalfa is the most nutritious grass or hay which can be fed to livestock. How can you tell the difference between hay? But the process of making the Alfalfa hay remains the same as that of the Timothy feed. Alfalfa hay has been both heralded and maligned as a feed for horses. Bucks get Timothy hay, and forage. At this point, you now know how each of these hays can help your horse or animal. Alfalfa vs. Grass Hay - Which is better for my horse? How co2 is dissolve in cold drink and why? It will depend on how old the hay is and the quality. First, a farmer grows a grain crop, such as: Next, the farmer harvests the grain crop and threshes it. Ive also been adding Standlee alfalfa pellets to my milk goats grain for additional insurance ever since they started selling them in our area about ten years ago. Which one seems to fit your horses needs or is best for you? BCRC: Stored Forages: Hay, Greenfeed and Silage If I feed all alfalfa I wanted to make sure I was feeding the grain or feed which ever it's called to balance it so it doesn't cause an issue. Grass pollen is a fine powder-like substance. 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. to read some of my most popular posts, check out the Best of GreenUpSide page here. The Difference Between Straw & Hay (3 Things To Know) But alfalfa hay is not the best for all animals. Remember, the main difference between Alfalfa and Timothy hay is in the number of nutrients. The plants also make the animals have to eat the hay. , and one of our hay experts will get back to you ASAP. The white clover is shorter with smaller leaves, while the red clover is taller with larger leaves. A value of 100 applies to good quality alfalfa hay. Even lesser number of nutrients, the Timothy hay is more costly than Alfalfa. With all the above considerations, alfalfa hay is more nutritious, drought resistant, and readily available. What was the date of sameul de champlians marriage? Next, the farmer harvests the grasses and legumes when they are still growing. https://thriftyhomesteader.com/what-do-goats-eat-it-depends/. But the prices of the hays can make you change the view between the two types. The yellowing indicates the hay was harvested when overly mature. Hay is the common food for cattle, sheep, goats, and horses when pastures are scanty. Hay is basically a grass that is cut green, then dried and baled. Straw is left over from grain crops (like wheat) after you remove the grain and chaff. However, this isnt necessarily a bad thing. Generally alfalfa is a good hay to feed horses, but there are caveats: Dont overfeed alfalfa. Sweet feed is basically candy as its mostly carbs with very little protein and no added nutrients. Your pets age and health status will largely determine if their diet should focus more heavily on alfalfa or Timothy (or another grass hay). However, mixing an alfalfa variety with grass species to create hay fields is increasingly popular in Eastern U.S. dairy regions. Difference Between Alfalfa & Clover Hay - David Woods Hay Young alfalfa plants are digestible, palatable, and have a higher nutrient value. Is there a difference between alfalfa hay and alfalfa meal? Also, expect the hay to have many leafy stems. Also, clover and peanut feeds can make Alfalfa hay. The implication of higher sugar levels is that it may cause rapid fermentation. Alfalfa is a legume hay in the pea family and is sometimes called lucerne. Why does alfalfa cause bloat in the first place? Many plants can be used as hay, but in Iowa today, alfalfa and clover are the most common. Alfalfa is a type of hay.. but is richer than say local or timothy. Expect your animals to get many proteins, power, and minerals from this feed. Although I quickly learned that hay is food and straw is bedding, I just assumed that all hay was the same. In a bale of leafy alfalfa hay, the leaves cling to the stem and appear soft and pliable, while the less green bale appears very stemmy. To assess leafiness, look at the leaves-to-stem ratio. They are then made into bales and transported wherever they are needed. What is the relationship between Commerce and economics? Alfalfa Hay, with its higher protein and adequate energy amounts might be the ideal feed for a hard working ranch horse, but it could be too rich of a feed for a retired backyard horse in the same amount. the grass hay and alfalfa hay costs the same here so that's not an issue. If you are new to the world of animal feeds, Timothy hay comes from grass. If it's yellow, dry, hollow, and unappetizing to horses, it's probably straw. Until recently, I thought hay and straw were the same thing. Typically, lower field losses occur through ensiling than when haying. 1.) So, if you want the bones and teeth of your horse to be strong, Timothy hay wont be the better pick. Caring for Hay Fields - AGCO FarmLife Its because, during this time, the quality of nutrients is still high. my article on growing potato plants in straw. Top-quality clover hay is one harvested at a 20% bloom stage. I remember when I first started and was using hay for bedding.didnt realize how much warmer straw was, and how much cheaper! spreading out straw in your garden to grow potatoes, Compost also helps to improve drainage in clay soil. How much is a biblical shekel of silver worth in us dollars? Ive been feeding everyone mostly alfalfa for five years!! Alfalfa hay may not be the best feed for all horses in all situations, but it contains nutrients needed for many classes of horses. Alfalfa in particular is high in energy and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Thanks for the info! My two youngest goatie kids are quite skinny and Im looking for a quality grain to supplement. A compost pile is where you put organic material and let it decompose into black, rich, earthy-smelling compost. Since straw contains very few (if any) seeds, it can be used in the garden without fear of spreading weeds (or grain crops) everywhere. Oats can be grown for hay or oats and straw. Protein and fiber-rich. The same industry reports that alfalfa is the #1 forage crop for horses. In Colorado we tend to have some very good hay of both varieties grown here and a given batch of hay could exceed or undershoot these values, so it is important to remember that they are just generalizations. When Cody ran out, he teasingly held up his empty hand. Hay has seeds, is used as animal feed, and is made from dried grasses or legumes (like alfalfa). Enjoy! I start feeding alfalfa hay when they are about 4 months into their pregnancy . What is the difference between alfalfa and hay? - Answers These hays are higher in protein and minerals and are more palatable than grass hays. Which is better for horses hay or alfalfa? 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. What does it mean to call a minor party a spoiled? It's really good for putting on weight fastAlfalfa is a type of leguminous plant that is made into hay. Well, it is because the oats and grass give it fewer carbs. Hay is a specific type of grass or a mixture of different cut grass clumped altogether compared to the basic grass plant, which is a more general term in itself. The girls get fed twice/day since they are bred, and the boys get fed once/day and have a full hay feeder when they arent out with the girls. Therefore, similarly to grass, hay is not edible for humans. Thrifty Homesteader is about creating a more sustainable life, but what exactly does that mean? This is Goats 101 https://thriftyhomesteader.teachable.com/p/goats101/ Oh, and as a long time horse owner, I totally agree with you about not giving alfalfa to horses. You didnt mention a free-choice loose GOAT mineral, but thats the ideal way to give goats supplemental minerals, especially bucks. The organic material in compost attracts beneficial organisms (such as earthworms and bacteria), which help to improve the soil. Is alfalfa and hay the same thing? - InfoBG.NET When the alfalfa hay bleaches, it appears golden yellow. Do not combine loads of hay, even if they are different cuttings from the same field, or the same cutting from different years. During harvesting, how you handle, cure, and store the hay affects the leafiness as the leaves shatter from the stem while raking and baling. Please share your thoughts with us. Straw on the other hand is a byproduct of a grain crop; in our area it's usually usually wheat. Which country agreed to give up its claims to the Oregon territory in the Adams-onis treaty? 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. Is it normal for them to love one bag, but then barely tolerate the next? Vitamins are things that will give the horse or other animal some excellent traits. In that case, you would need to use the hay for compost but only if you can make sure any seeds will not grow! The number of nutrients in each type of hay will make you pick the best hay between the two. Is Dried Grass the Same Thing as Hay? - Ask the plantician Check out our deep dive on alfalfa to learn more about this important and enticing hay variety! If you feed your horse a mixture of these two types of hay, it will get the best combinations possible for optimum nutrition. 2. Different types of hay offer varying nutritional profiles, and the region where the crops are grown plays a role in animal diet as well. I see what people cut for what they call hay. I hope you clicked on the leave a blog comment button in the box above because you already left a comment. It consists of microspores produced by male parts of the grass. Its not the same as the Timothy hay, which gives lesser carbs to the animals diet. I would love to try the hay forage! Alfalfa also has more calories per pound than timothy, so its generally the preferred choice of sport horse owners. When it looks like grass, it can be cut and baled as hay. And in fact, it is usually a lower carbohydrate feed than most grass hays, making alfalfa ideal for feeding to horses with special needs like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, laminitis, or even PSSM. Dried grass and hay are not technically the same thing. The best time to harvest the materials to make the Alfalfa hay is at the start of spring. 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. For example, alfalfa hay has 92% more starch content than clover hay, while clover hay has a sugar level of 87% more than alfalfa. Planting a crop of corn and alfalfa at the same time would give the alfalfa stand a full season to establish a . If you do use straw as feed, remember that oat straw is more nutritious than wheat and other types of straw. adroll_language = "en_US"; This site uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Many pleasure and trail horses dont need grain: good-quality hay or pasture is sufficient. What would you suggest I supplement him with for the zinc deficiency? They wont forget what grain is! So, it shows that most legumes keep their nutrients at the stem and leaf. Hay is normally given for increased fibre rather than protein, they may nibble on a bit or use it for nests, there are arguments for & against using it, you do need to go through it carefully & get rid of any sharp bits that may damage their pouches & another thing I hadn't thought of until souffle mentioned it recently is the chance of having mites in hay but you could always put it in the . Hay is the common food for cattle, sheep, goats, and horses when pastures are scanty. 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.) To find books, courses, seeds, gardening supplies, and more, check out The Shop at Greenupside! What is the difference between alfalfa and hay? In this article, we'll talk about the differences between straw and hay, including where they come from, how they are made, and how they are used. 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. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Straw and hay each have specific uses where they work best. The bright green color indicates the hay was well cured with no mold, rain, or overheating damage. Chemical analytical methods for alfalfa hays are laborious, time-consuming, and costly. Are alfalfa and hay the same thing? Alfalfa, and hay? - Hamster Central Whats the difference between hay and alfalfa? Grass hay should be the primary forage choice for adult animals that are not pregnant, nursing, ill, or recovering from surgery. These fibers will help the animals have strong teeth. Alfalfa, clover, and peanut are legume hays, while timothy, oat, bermuda, and orchard are examples of grass hays. Thankfully, I did as you mentioned and fed my milking does their choice of alfalfa and grass hay. Turn the hay one to three times over the next three days. You can use it as an alternative to soil, or you can use alternating layers if you wish. Although all hay is not the same, it differs in quality, availability, and variety. Most people harvest the grass for Timothy hay when the weather is dry and warm. We use Alfalfa & Grass hat for our goats. . Is hay and alfalfa the same thing? - Pet Animals Care Thedesirable color of hay is bright green. If they say something like, its good enough for goats, then it is NOT. Crops Hay What is Hay?