Alfalfa, clover, and peanut are legume hays, while timothy, oat, bermuda, and orchard. This publication describes the horses digestive system and nutritional needs and how to select alfalfa hay. It is recommended not to rake alfalfa hay if moisture content is below 40%. Silage alfalfa swathed, chopped and stored in a silo at 30 to 40 percent dry matter. Commonly used plants for hay include mixtures of grasses such as ryegrass lolium species, timothy, brome, fescue, bermuda grass, orchard grass, and other species, depending on region.
Dan undersander, from the university of wisconsinmadison, talk about achieving quality hay more. Producers that sell hay on a proteinquality basis may realize greater income from varieties. Jul, 2018 todays farm vlog is part of the new making hay video series. Aug 01, 20 if the hay feels moist, then its not ready to bale. Alfalfa is a deeprooted perennial forage crop that is mainly planted for hay production or grazing. When i got started with goats i barely knew the difference between hay and straw. Understanding the hay making process from the ground up can help you make wise decisions when it comes to buying your winter supply of hay. Overall, the best results in terms of alfalfa hay quality and quantity losses were achieved with balingiii, where the lowest dm losses 2. Selecting the best alfalfa varieties is one of the most important decisions producers make in devel oping a good forageproduction system. Leaf shatter increases in alfalfa with less than 50% moisture, and increases greatly as the hay dries. High quality dairy alfalfa supplies 20% to 25% more calories per. Hay and silage management55 feeding considerations of. Broadranging book on the beneficial roles of microbes.
Alfalfa usually has the highest feeding value of all common hay crops. A horse fed alfalfa as part of its daily ration will meet its need for protein while receiving essential vitamins and minerals. Apr 20, 2018 this process is similar to making tea but much stronger since it steeps for 3 weeks or more. The many factors which should be considered when selecting hay all relate directly to the growing and harvesting of the hay. Todays farm vlog is part of the new making hay video series. Alfalfa contains higher concentrations of protein and calcium compared to timothy hay table 1. Instead, i found that the book is really a pitch for green agricultural practices. Curing and storage of alfalfa hay iowa state university digital. Only thing is a small bag for the price, and my rabbits go through about 2 a week which is a lot. Making hay learn what goes into growing and harvesting quality hay so you can recognize and select it for your horses.
Thats how long the harvxtra trait has been in the alfalfa growers toolbox and likewise. Making the first hay cut early permits aftermath growth to begin at a time when temperature and soil moisture are favorable for plant growth and generally increases total yield per acre. Geneticallymodified gmo resistance to glyphosate herbicide became available to farmers in 2011. Hay is very sensitive to weather conditions, especially when it is harvested. Most modern variable chamber balers belt balers are capable of baling wet forage into a.
Clover is another popular legume hay, but its harder to dry in the field, making it harder for a novice to put up. In beautiful, deceptively simple prose touched with humor and affection, klinkenborg evokes a way of life at risk, and weaves an unforgettable story of the richness of rural living. I was just wanting a little information from you guys that ted alfalfa. Making hay is something that is universally anticipated by folks living on the land, but for many small holders, the expense of collecting and maintaining all the power equipment used in the modern hay meadow is just too much. Making hay the process and helpful tips homesteading and. Alfalfa is an important livestock feed, especially for dairy production and horses. Hay for rabbits alfalfa hay vs timothy hay purina animal. How to cut, dry, rake, gather, and store a nourishing crop by. Do this test with the hay at the bottom of your windrow. This great rooting depth gives alfalfa excellent drought tolerance. I have been kinda curious on how they work and what kind of conditions people use them in. The effects of stage of harvest on fescue hay quality and animal performance are shown in table 2. High quality alfalfa hay will not be obtained if harvest is delayed or if leaves are lost during the hay drying process.
Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of good quality protein and fiber. His other books include foundations of natural farming, the coming revolution in agriculture. When compared to other forage crops, alfalfa has a very high yield potential and responds very well to subsurface drip irrigation sdi. Selecting alfalfa varieties is a 5 to 10year investment. Alfalfa has a long taproot that penetrates more deeply into the soil than crops such as corn or wheat which have more fibrous, shallow roots. Amand, assistant professor, alfalfa breeding and genetics curtis thompson, extension specialist, crops and soils, southwest 6 alfalfa fertility ray e. Aug 01, 2008 making hay learn what goes into growing and harvesting quality hay so you can recognize and select it for your horses. The plants in a certain field will make some difference, of course whether its a good stand of alfalfa, palatable grasses or has gone mostly to weeds but poor harvesting conditionsmethods can reduce a good hay crop to poor or even unsafe.
But in the uk, 4 south africa and new zealand, the more. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Alfalfa and foundered horses question chronicle forums. Principles of hay making and strategies for coping with adverse weather are discussed. There is such beauty in giving kids an opportunity to be involved in important work. Haymaking involved cutting, gathering, drying and storing grasses or legumes, like alfalfa or clover. It is quite small pieces of hay but my rabbits adore it. Chris pollitt and rick redden have even recommended straight alfalfa for laminitic horses, although i dont know their current stand. How to cut, dry, rake, gather, and store a nourishing. Oct 16, 2010 tedding alfalfa posted in alfalfa hay. Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different.
She likes bad boys, so we get a tattoo and a leather jacket. Alfalfa in particular is high in energy and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. How to cut, dry, rake, gather, and store a nourishing crop on. The romans encountered alfalfa hay when they expanded their.
Under favorable conditions, alfalfa roots may penetrate over 20 feet deep. Shroyer, extension specialist, crop production paul c. This hay making systems major limitation is the amount of hay that can be successfully baled and stored before it rains again. Making hay gives us an unforgettable glimpse of everyday life on the family farms of northwestern iowa, southwestern minnesota, and montanas big hole valley. Alfalfa can be dustier than grass hay when moisture conditions at baling are lessthanideal. Some of the premium alfalfa hay goes to feed the states large equine horse population. Alfalfa, medicago sativa, also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the pea family fabaceae cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. I wouldnt feed straight alfalfa with a horse prone to any of the problems my horses have. It is important to buy quality seed of certified varieties with high germination percentages. To answer whether the cubes or pellets are of the same benefit.
Dan undersander, from the university of wisconsinmadison, talk about achieving quality hay more than once, and each time he. If the hay is still wet, it wont make any crunching sounds. I am very familiar with the challenges of making quality hay. In drought conditions, both seed and leaf production are stunted, making hay that has a high ratio of dry coarse stems that have very low nutritional values. This process is similar to making tea but much stronger since it steeps for 3 weeks or more. Although i quickly learned that hay is food and straw is bedding, i just assumed that all hay was the same. Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are both forage sources commonly used in rabbit and guinea pig diets. Alfalfa project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. My baby bunnies love this hay and i know alfalfa is the bets hay for baby rabbits. It is time for horsemen to catch up with alfalfas natural buffering abilities. Alfalfa is an important component of an active horses diet. Give a horse the opportunity to choose among flakes of allgrass hay, grassalfalfa mix, and allalfalfa, chances are he will chow down the alfalfa flake first. If the hay is ready, it will make a crunching sound and snap almost. The title suggests this is the focus a how to treatise on the subject.
Making hay or silage with alfalfa cut at early bud stage during the first cycle decreases protein content by 2. An easy test to do to see if hay is ready and bend it in half. Alfalfa has lower indigestible fiber than grass hays. A tincture like this keeps for months and a small dropperful is all thats needed to get the benefits. Gonioa 30pcs natural grass stick alfalfa hay chew sticks molar rod pet snacks,chew toys for guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchilla, hamsters,squirrel and other small animals 3. Making hay is comprised of a series of steps, each as important as its predecessor. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop. When alfalfa or timothy is used in a complete rabbit feed, the nutrients of the hay source. They get grass hay with a tad of alfalfa more for flavor and tiny bit of safechoice grain more to get the meds down. Raking can be the cause of the greatest loss of leaves in the hay making process. It is time for horsemen to catch up with alfalfa s natural buffering abilities. Alfalfa leaves also tend to shatter when too dry, creating more dust particles. Making hay the process and helpful tips homesteading.
Hay may also include legumes, such as alfalfa lucerne and clovers red, white and subterranean. Give a horse the opportunity to choose among flakes of allgrass hay, grass alfalfa mix, and all alfalfa, chances are he will chow down the alfalfa flake first. While these may be worthy, i am disappointed for my uses. Alfalfa yields two or three crops in the northern states and as many as six cuttings farther south, making it a favorite hay crop wherever it grows. Soils should be deep enough to have adequate waterholding capacity. Hay alfalfa dried in the field to a dry matter content of 80 percent or greater less than 15 to 20 percent moisture. Lamond, extension specialist, soil fertility and management 7 weed management. Alfalfa has been identified as one of the crops that is eligible for government payments to farmers as a result of the retaliatory tariffs imposed by china on agricultural crops alfalfa hay among. Many others, including my own, seem to do just fine eating limited amounts of alfalfa. Even though they have so many problems they are doing pretty well. Perhaps i should preface this list with a caveat the best way to make perfect hay is to ensure it doesnt get rained on.
Jun 17, 20 perhaps i should preface this list with a caveat the best way to make perfect hay is to ensure it doesnt get rained on. I am from central california and i do not even know what a tedder looks like other than pictures. Alfalfa is best mown in bud just before its blossoms open to onetenth bloom. How to cut, dry, rake, gather, and store a nourishing crop. The term making hay may hold different connotations for many people, but if you grew up on a farm or lived in a.
From the wonders of alfalfa, the miracle plant, to barbed wire, dances. Horsemen are very opinionated on which cutting is the best to buy. The blue alfalfa aphid is again present in many southwestern u. Wellpreserved alfalfa hay should be the foundation of a feeding program for young growing horses, recreational horses, and active horses. The difference between good hay and poor hay is often in the harvesting. Adverse weather will greatly lower quality and may dictate the use of either or both hay drying agents and hay preservatives. The spanisharabic according to wiktionary and the drae name alfalfa is widely used, particularly in north america and australia. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world.
The plants in a certain field will make some difference, of course whether its a good stand of alfalfa, palatable grasses or has gone mostly to weeds but poor harvesting conditionsmethods can reduce a good hay crop to poor or even unsafe feed. If the hay feels moist, then its not ready to bale. Prewilting alfalfa before ensiling has a preservative effect on protein content inra, 2007. It provides information on purchasing, storing, and feeding alfalfa hay. Impact of raking and baling patterns on alfalfa hay dry matter and. Understanding the haymaking process from the ground up can help you make wise decisions when it comes to buying your winter supply of hay. The production of good quality alfalfa hay is dependent on the selection of a. 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 greenchop. Keys to success when harvesting alfalfa as baleage the beef site. Combine that with a beautiful country setting, and i cant think of. I have seen and heard of a few laminitic horses that get sore feet from eating even small amounts of alfalfa. Jul 02, 2019 when i got started with goats i barely knew the difference between hay and straw.
Cutting day, well take our haybine that we pulled out of the woods a week agoand start mowingill show ya how it all works and. Cutting day, well take our haybine that we pulled out of the woods a week agoand start mowingill show ya how it. And now that weve all stopped bellylaughing we can get down to the business of making hay in a more realistic setting. Common plants used for making hay in oklahoma are alfalfa, wild and prairie. Choosing the right type of hay to grow, knowing which equipment to use, and using the best techniques for your. Verlyn is a good name for a middle western farm boy. These hays are higher in protein and minerals and are more palatable than grass hays. No body, as far as i know uses a tedder in our area. Safely fed to horses for thousands of years, alfalfas high protein, fiber, vitamin and mineral content all contribute to its high feed value.
Jul 04, 2017 there is such beauty in giving kids an opportunity to be involved in important work. We also drink a lot of liquid chlorophyll, which is a concentrated liquid of the chlorophyllins from the fresh alfalfa plant. Common plants used for making hay in oklahoma are alfalfa, wild and prairie grasses, sorghumsudan crosses, sudan, bermuda, lespedeza, soybean, peanut, and small grains like wheat, rye and oats. So it would stand to reason that hay would but of greater benefit. Alfalfa growing for seed and hay classic reprint unknown author on. There are limited opportunities to bale dry hay, and if you are making small square bales, you have limited wagons and sometimes even more limited willing. If the weather is too wet, the cut hay may spoil in the field before it can be baled.
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