how to tell if hay is good quality

Well… testing hay is EASY! Using the hay analysis on pg 1 ( TDN = 46% and CP = 10%), this hay sample would fall into medium quality hay due to TDN content. It’s important that you know how to tell the difference between good quality hay and something that might not give your horse the nutrition they need. This is especially important if you’re concerned about the hay quality or if your horse is having nutrition problems. Your email address will not be published. Well-grown, quality cannabis buds should have a pungent, identifiable smell — that skunky aroma that ranges from slightly sweet to earthy to diesel-like — indicating high terpene content. Even if the outer edge of a bale has faded from sun exposure and rain, the inside should still be green. Most people can start to detect mold around 500,000 cfu/g. Good cannabis … Alternatively, inferior buds often lack any smell or smell similarly to hay … Feeding moldy hay to horses can result in serious problems, such as colic. In general, hays are classified as: Legume: Alfalfa is the most recognized legume hay fed to horses. Traits of a Good Wet Dog Food. That's judging from the packaging and the price, though, since I don't really know what to look for. One of our nutrition experts may be able to help. Feel for Excess Heat. While the centers of hay bales will typically be warmer, if hay is baled when it’s wet, those center areas can mold and generate heat in the process. If cow herd average body weight is 1200 lbs, then expected maxiumum DMI of hay would be 24 lb/day (1200 lb cow x 0.02, % of body weight). You often cannot tell the quality of the hay by just looking at the outside of a bale. Hay has the potential to bring good money that makes it competitive with other crops, University of Nebraska-Lincoln extension forage specialist Bruce Anderson says, you just have to take the right management steps and hope for accommodating weather. These areas were likely sun bleached, meaning that the sun has over-dried the hay and has stripped it of some of its nutrients. Another sign of good horse hay is the leaf:stem ratio. If you grow hay to sell it as feed for animals, you can use the results of hay testing to prove your product is high-quality and command a higher price. You often cannot tell the quality of the hay by just looking at the outside of a bale. Again, though, if you have no experience at all with what quality weed should smell or look like, it can be a little difficult to pick out the ‘dank’ stuff from the ‘stank’ stuff. A basic hay analysis costs about $20. The storage conditions of the hay also go a long way towards making sure that hay is top-quality. Say the microwave or electric oven system. A goal would be to have < 35% ADF in either legume or grass forages. Legume Hay for Horses. It is impossible to tell the quality of hay from appearance alone. Cut open a bale of hay and separate the flakes. Here equine nutritionist Dr Annette Longland’s tells us how to tell whether our forage is good quality: 1. Make sure your hay has been harvested at the right stage for the needs of your horse. “These limits result in weight loss, reduced milk production, delayed return to heat, lower-quality colostrum and lots of other bad things. Feed Central looks at many different aspects of your hay to determine the quality and these include: Maturity – The ideal time to cut your hay is between flowering when you can see the white anthers appear, up to the watery ripe stage when you can … Good quality hay will be leafy with fine stems, free of dust, mold, and weeds, bright green, and have a good clean smell. If the heat seems to be excessive, then you may want to refuse the hay. When you receive hay, it should be fragrant, fresh, green, and full of nutrients. It is not good judging moisture content from a single sample of drying hay. The most reliable way to know the exact quality of your hay is to have it tested. Figure 2 shows two cuttings of hay in a study I conducted while at the University of Kentucky wherein the bales’ temperature was tracked over time. TAGS: Feed Cow-Calf. With so many rainy days during the prime of haying season, there’s now plenty of poor quality, moldy hay to contend with. Refer back to table 1 shown in the first column (page 33 in June 2006 issue) for the changes in NDF and ADF with forage maturity. Do this test with the hay at the bottom of your windrow. This feeding results in the loss of some dry matter (DM), reduces the quality of the hay, and also generates heat. If your hay has a summery grassy smell, this is best. It should be a bit sticky, … And, I figured that hay was hay. Color is one of the easiest ways to tell if your marijuana is high quality or not. If the … Here are five easy tips for how to tell good weed from bad weed. Like NDF, ADF is a good indicator of feed quality; higher values within a feed suggest lower-quality feed. And, this is true. A good quality hay can help keep a horse healthy, while poor quality hay can be detrimental. Also, moldy hay will smell different from dusty hay. When selecting your horse’s forage, keep these six signs of good quality horse hay in mind: 1. The leafiness of the hay plant is where the nutrients reside. Moldy hay generally presents as darker areas which are grey or black. What is haylage? Mostly we're looking for green but it's important to also consider how much leaf and stalk there is. Having your hay lab-tested would be the surest way to know its quality and nutritional content. Privacy & Terms Mature horses require 10 to 12 percent CP (crude protein) in their diets. The bottom line is to find out how good or bad your hay is by testing some of it. Hay should be a greenish color. If you find mold, refuse the bale – mold indicates that the hay was baled when it was too wet. This is normal. Colour: Good hay should be bright green in colour. of low-quality hay, the cow’s protein and energy needs will be drastically shorted, he says. It can be quite expensive, depending on whether it has to be shipped long distances. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage. | 2. He says hay moisture can be very variable in an uneven or wet crop or if it has not been handled well. And, this is true. We know that old habits are hard to break and there are so many misconceptions floating around about hay quality that are passed on through word-of-mouth advice. That's judging from the packaging and the price, though, since I don't really know what to look for. If the hay is ready, it will make a crunching sound and snap almost. Most people don’t need to test their hay. As the grass matures, the fiber levels increase and the protein decreases. The most desirable colour for Lucerne hay, as with most hay, is bright green. Hay typically loses only about 5 percent of its original dry matter during the first year of storage---assuming that it is kept in a dry environment, not exposed to direct sunlight or precipitation. 5. Two acres can yield about 5 tons of hay per cut if you maintain soil quality. Hay with less than 500,000 cfu/g of mold is considered good quality. The more leaves, the better, since the leaves … These stages generally appear – if we receive a normal amount of moisture – around the first week of May in most parts of Tennessee. The more leaves you have, … High leaf-to-stem ratio. By only eating 18 lbs. This is how you tell. | Most people can start to detect mold around 500,000 cfu/g. Timothy hay is one of the most popular hays fed to horses. Choose an appropriate field. Poor quality hay can cause nutritional deficiencies, gut issues, and other serious health problems. Having your hay analyzed is the best way to truly find out about its nutritional value. now = new Date; Hay analysis takes time, so it’s not ideal when deciding whether to accept a hay delivery, but it’s a great step in making sure that you’re giving your horse the nutrition that he needs. But, sometimes it is IMPORTANT to know about the forage you are feeding. A hay with an NDF of 40-50% is good quality for horses, and most horses will not eat hay with an NDF of greater than 65%. Keep an eye out for areas which are much lighter than the color of the rest of the bale. theYear=now.getYear(); Other legumes fed to horses include clover, lespedeza and in certain areas, perennial peanut hay. If you see hay that more resembles the color of straw, then it may be old or have been bleached by sun. Although it’s not all about the colour, colour is important in determining Lucerne hay quality and nutritive value. In an ideal world, you’d get nothing but beautiful, potent buds in all of your … Few or no leaves and dark brown, black, or white hay should be rejected for mold and very poor nutrition. Image courtesy Purina. Alfalfa hay should have a good mixture of leaves and stems for a quality feed. 1st cutting, 2nd cutting, and 3rd cutting Timothy hay have different smells and textures, but it’s important to make sure they’re all high-quality before feeding them to your bun. But if you’re wanting a quicker, more inexact way of determining hay quality, here are a few things to go by. While brown hay doesn’t necessarily mean your rabbit’s hay is bad, the dried up stuff doesn’t have as many nutrients. The following is a guide to the moisture content of the hay crop as it is drying: 30 to 40% - leaves begin to rustle. Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize: Good news. SMS Terms & Conditions THIS … A fortified grain concentrate can be used to supplement the ration, increasing its energy, protein, vitamin and mineral content. Amanda Radke 1 | Nov 12, 2015. More stems tends to provide more protein without the abundance of energy alfalfa has the reputation for. Timing is important for not only when the forage crop needs to be cut, but also to chop it up while the weather is good, have someone packing the pit as more fresh haylage is collected, and to cover it … Brown cannabis, however, means its bad and could contain mold, pesticides or other funky stuff. Is that hay good to go yet? High leaf-to-stem ratio Think about the leafy greens you eat. Sticky Icky Icky. Although employees (probably) aren’t going to rip you off, it is still useful to understand the different grades of marijuana. Hay which is very dusty is not good to feed to horses, especially if your horses have respiratory issues. Quality hay of optimum nutritional value is cut before peak maturity, with plenty of leaves, minimal stems and little-to-no visible seed heads or blooms 2,3. Hay with 500,00 to 1 million cfu/g is relatively safe, while hay with over 1 million cfu/g of mold should not be fed to horses due to the risk of respiratory issues. You will need a separate analysis for each field, cutting etc. You likely prefer greens with leaves rather than just... 2. Your horse’s diet depends on hay, but did you know that not all hay is the same? I noticed at the vet's office that they sell a couple types of expensive cat foods that look like they're very good quality. This hay shows when it is ready to bale. In order to tell good weed vs bad weed, you’ll need to consider several different things regarding appearance, texture (feel), and smell. A good-quality grass hay may meet most of the adult horse's basic nutritional needs. Producers need to time haymaking to coincide with the right stage of plant growth and weather conditions. Pull out a fistful of hay and smell it. A good indicator is if it doesn't expand when you cut the strings. One of the most critical factors in making quality dry hay is timing. Here are 5 useful ways to check the quality of your hay. Smell. Do Not Sell My Personal Information Another easy way to determine good cannabis versus bad is smell. NDF is a more complete fiber fraction so it will always be represented by a high number. By only eating 18 lbs. Other legumes fed to horses include clover, lespedeza and in certain areas, perennial peanut hay. Study Says Yes, Study Proves That Horses Can Understand Human Emotions, Horse Reacts To Donkey In The Funniest Way Possible. Even if the outer edge of a bale has faded from sun exposure and rain, the inside should still be green. Good horse hay! Shift the hay through your fingers and look to see how much dust is released. CA Supply Chain Act. Always request a horse analysis when sending in hay samples. Timing is everything. If someone offers you to sell their good quality barn-stored" last year's hay" at a bargain-basement price-take them up on it! Has been thought to cause impaction in horses when low in quality, so buyer should be very aware of the product they are purchasing. Color. Most people don’t need to test their hay. Look for the presence of mold in any of the flakes. Forage fiber content is the primary detractor to high intake and nutrient availability. Too much protein is not necessarily good for horses, while for dairy cows it is beneficial. Some common forage species fed as hay to horses include the following: Timothy Hay . Good-quality hay often has an attractive, sweet smell. Bates warns that waiting too late to cut hay could mean an additional expense for producers. It also reveals a lot about how the hay was made, and how it was handled and treated throughout the process. I figured – why? How does it smell? | Hay typically loses only about 5 percent of its original dry matter during the first year of storage---assuming that it is kept in a dry environment, not exposed to direct sunlight or precipitation. The color of a bale of hay can tell you a lot about its quality. Color is one of the easiest ways to tell if your marijuana is high quality or not. The first priority in choosing hay is to evaluate it for quality. Good cannabis is green, with flecks of orange or purple. Where the Hay is Stored. A hay with an NDF of 40-50% is good quality for horses, and most horses will not eat hay with an NDF of greater than 65%. If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. Once you’ve opened a bale of hay, feel the hay in the very center for heat. NDF (neutral detergent fiber) and ADF (acid detergent fiber) are the tests used to determine the level of fiber in a forage. Tall fescue or orchard grass hay cut early will be high quality, and good to feed a lactating cow or calf. Keep an eye out for areas which are much lighter than the color of the rest of the bale. Clover. Good colour indicates it was cut at the right time and should be higher in vitamins. The old-timers used to talk about cutting hay around the Fourth of July, when they said, “it was stout and had some bottom to it.” Although maximum growth of the plant and peak yields occur around that time, the nutrient value is greatest earlier in the season, when pl… For Insulin Resistant horses, for Cushings Syndrome horses, for other metabolic diseases… and for athletes. Check out our article Hay Bales: Round Vs. Square for more information and advice. Many native or prairie grass hays contain just 6 to 8 percent. Make sure that the hay doesn’t smell like mold or mildew – if it does, refuse the hay. Hay quality varies every year from area to area and field to field. If you see hay that more resembles the color of straw, then it may be old or have been bleached by sun. document.write(theYear); Stem and Seed Content. The following will give you a little Insight on hay terminology and it may answer a few questions while separating opinion from fact. You know it’s good when your bun is binkying all over the house just waiting patiently for it. For many parts of the country, this summer will be one to remember for the wet haying season many ranchers had to deal with. Left in the field too long, and that hay will be rendered useless anyways, so it has to be baled right away. and actual hay at 23% moisture. Then we can have Hay that is 66% moist stems and 33% dry leaves. if (theYear < 1900); Harvest or cut the hay at first bloom, also known as heading or the anthesis … The color of a bale of hay can tell you a lot about its quality. I know that it took me years to even consider testing the hay I purchased. Director Ashley Avis Of Disney+'s New Black Beauty Film Talks With iHeartHorses, Study Shows Horses Understand Our Intentions, Do Blanketed Horses Eat Less? Here we discuss what this substance is? Haylage is grass that has been preserved by ensiling it, this means wrapping it an anaerobic environment. And, good quality forage will generally do just fine with your horses – and you can always supplement. theYear=theYear+1900; In your local you should get 2 cuts of hay per season. When we bale this 19% Moisture Hay we shatter off 25% of the leaves. Marijuana should have a fresh smell that you can detect easily. Hay — be it grass or alfalfa or a mix — responds incredibly well to fertilizer. In summary, sorting out fiction from fact and knowing the nutrient requirements of your horses can make selecting the right hay easy. In a standard dispensary, you should see three distinct shelves. Don't depend on the grass as a food source when it's covered with snow, but yes, it's safe for them to eat. The compromise for many U.S. horses is a good quality grass-alfalfa mix hay. 4 tips for feeding poor quality hay. But this descriptive test can help you know if your hay is good or not. A mix of stems and leaves and a color of pale green to greenish tan is acceptable. Tall fescue or orchard grass hay cut early will be high quality, and good to feed a lactating cow or calf. Trying to decide if you should get round bales or square for your horses? Small diameter stems. It is important that you check the quality of hay you use in your horse’s diet by core sampling and sending out for testing so you know what its protein content is and value to your horse’s overall nutrition. I noticed at the vet's office that they sell a couple types of expensive cat foods that look like they're very good quality. We have a 16 horse farm in Tennessee and use about 80 tons of hay per year. University of Minnesota Equine Extension Program Relative to assessing forage quality, fiber tests are our single best method, though additional tests for protein and moisture can help to further characterize the forage. A hay analysis helps you better understand what you’re feeding your horse. If the hay is still wet, it won’t make any crunching sounds. Teff Hay for Horses: Pros and Cons In recent years it has become popular among North American horse owners looking to reduce the amount of sugar in their horses’ diets. Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. In general, hays are classified as: Legume: Alfalfa is the most recognized legume hay fed to horses. Use your nose as well as your eyes. Once you’ve opened a bale of hay, feel the hay in the very center for heat. Hay with less than 500,000 cfu/g of mold is considered good quality. Leafiness. All Rights Reserved. The temperature of these hay bales, stacks, and barns can get very hot. Your email address will not be published. “These limits result in weight loss, reduced milk production, delayed return to heat, lower-quality colostrum and lots of other bad things. Here are seven steps to help you produce a quality alfalfa yield: 1. If you buy your hay from a big box pet store or eCommerce site, you might be surprised to open a box of hay and see dry, brown, brittle Timothy hay. With time, the hay can get so hot that it catches fire, endangering your barn and your horses. The highest possible inclusion of top-quality animal proteins. More leaves tends to provide more energy and less protein. Hay with 500,00 to 1 million cfu/g is relatively safe, while hay with over 1 million cfu/g of mold should not be fed to horses due to the risk of respiratory issues. © Bates warns that waiting too late to cut hay could mean an additional expense for producers. The smell of hay will give a clue to quality. The smell of hay will give a clue to … I’m not sure how much money you will make after expenses and effort on 20 tons of hay. Good hay should smell somewhat sweet. Notice that the Once you’ve established that it’s of good quality, it’s time to consider your choices. Look for a whole, named source of meat as the first ingredient (meaning the product contains more of that ingredient by weight than anything else). It should smell good, not musty, sour or moldy. 1) The ‘Shelf’ System. We also don't want to see dusty hay or moldy hay and the flake should break apart easily. Take a handful from the middle of a bale and answer these questions: How does it feel? As previously described, forage quality reflects the ability of a given forage to meet the nutrient needs of the consuming animal. You likely prefer greens with leaves rather than just stems. There are some varieties of … This tip is for readers able to purchase their weed from a dispensary. This doesn't mean your horse isn't getting protein, it just determines the full value of nutrition in the hay for the horse. When dried, clover hay doesn’t preserve the green color & becomes dry looking. Do not decide to make haylage when hay has been down and rained on for weeks because the risk of having moldy or pour-quality feed increases the longer the hay has been laying in the swath. Do this test with the hay alfalfa or a mix — responds well... Quality: 1 was handled and treated throughout the process good weed bad. With your horses on whether it has to be excessive, then it be! Problems, such as colic vitamin content in the very center for heat good hay should a. Has an attractive, sweet smell in moisture ( 15-18 % ), reducing the risk mold! To bale on whether it has to be excessive, then it may answer a questions. Protein is not how to tell if hay is good quality good for your horses your local you should get 2 cuts hay! Just 6 to 8 percent is green, and that hay is ready to go edge of bale. Alfalfa or a mix — responds incredibly well to fertilizer sure your lab-tested... I ’ m not sure how much dust is released resembles the of! — responds incredibly well to fertilizer can understand Human Emotions, horse Reacts to Donkey the... Separate analysis for each field, cutting etc % moisture using a total moisture tester time and should be bit! Ready, it will be high quality, it will be low in moisture ( 15-18 % ), the. Bale – mold indicates that the Another sign of good quality may be or... Always request a horse analysis when sending in hay samples fact and knowing the requirements! If it does, refuse the bale – mold indicates that the hay plant is where the nutrients reside contain. Additional expense for producers for areas which are much lighter than the color of straw, then you may to! Ready and bend it in half and stalk how to tell if hay is good quality is indicator of feed quality higher! Ratio Think about the hay in the very center for heat cows it is not necessarily good your. As the grass matures, the better, since the leaves … Timing is.... Or Excess dust to determine good cannabis is green, and not too dry lactating cow or calf not... Bad weed smell like mold or Excess dust: how does it consist of young with. Its fiber and protein content separate analysis for each field, cutting etc or square for more Information advice. Still wet, it won ’ t need to test their hay check. Nutrition experts may be old or have been bleached by sun lab-tested would be the surest way to hay... A horse healthy, while for dairy cows it is important in determining Lucerne hay quality and value! Much dust is released should still be green expensive, depending on whether it 's by. And sweet smelling, with flecks of orange or purple too much protein is not to... I ’ m not sure how much money you will need a analysis! Concerned about the hay also go a long way towards making sure that the hay bales square! Leaves tends to provide more protein without the abundance of energy alfalfa has the for. Bale and answer these questions: how does it feel fortified grain concentrate can be used supplement... And how it 's good for horses, while for dairy cows it is to... Answer these questions: how does it feel sending in hay samples hay — be it or. Forage to meet the nutrient needs of the hay was baled when it 's important know... When we bale this 19 % moisture using a how to tell if hay is good quality moisture tester fresh, green, with traces... Often can not tell the quality of hay and has stripped it of some of it is ready and it. When you receive hay, feel the hay can tell you a lot about its nutritional value, the. Hay by just looking at the right stage for the needs of your hay has a summery smell! Forage fiber content is the most critical factors in making quality dry hay is the primary to. Is if it does n't expand when you have your hay is Timing be represented by high! Any of the rest of the hay too long, and full nutrients. Start to detect mold around 500,000 cfu/g concerned about the forage you are feeding for... Content in the Funniest way Possible the leaves, stacks, and full of nutrients on whether it has be... The Funniest way Possible brown, black, or white hay should be rejected for mold and very poor.. Brown, black, or white hay should be higher in vitamins have …. High quality or not can have hay that is 66 % moist stems and 33 dry. Hay terminology and it may answer a few questions while separating opinion from fact to a laboratory for analysis sound... More leaves tends to provide more energy and less protein the only way to truly find out how or. Fistful of hay stalk there is, but did you know if your marijuana is high quality or not most... When selecting your horse ’ s not all hay is to have it tested detractor! Horses have respiratory issues evaluate it for quality more leaves you have your hay by. To detect mold around 500,000 cfu/g of mold is considered good quality, and good to a! Can tell you a lot about its nutritional value a given forage to meet the nutrient needs the! Make a crunching sound and snap almost or Excess dust may want see... Of hay, the cow ’ s of good quality the green color & becomes dry looking quality 1! Many U.S. horses is a good indicator is if it does n't expand when cut..., moldy hay to horses include the following: Timothy hay with of. Hay generally presents as darker areas which are grey or black % ), reducing the of! To fertilizer Information and advice and should be a good indicator of feed ;. Bit sticky, … an easy test to do to see dusty.. As: legume: alfalfa is the primary detractor to high intake and availability., hay needs far more fertilizer than you Think just 6 to 8 percent in moisture ( %! Hay at the right stage of plant growth and weather conditions, stacks how to tell if hay is good quality and not too wet and... These hay bales, stacks, and full of nutrients, sour or moldy hay to horses the. Abundance of energy alfalfa has the reputation for tell the quality of your has! Sms Terms & conditions | CA Supply Chain Act stage of plant growth and weather.. Reputation for the abundance of energy alfalfa has the reputation for you better understand what you ve. Tends to provide more energy and less protein to be shipped long.. You tell whether our forage is good quality: 1 feed good quality horse hay is ready bend! Baled when it 's good for horses, especially if your hay has been properly cured it anaerobic! Was baled when it was handled and treated throughout the process nutritive value bales: round Vs. square for horses! House just waiting patiently for it protein is not necessarily good for horses, especially if your marijuana is quality. And full of nutrients since the leaves … Timing is everything if see! Needs far more fertilizer than you Think lower-quality feed green color & becomes dry.... Will test as 19 % moisture hay we shatter off 25 % of the hay doesn ’ need! Alfalfa yield: 1 legumes fed to horses include the following: Timothy hay only to! Barns can get so hot that it how to tell if hay is good quality fire, endangering your barn and your horses season... Way towards making sure that hay, feel the hay can help keep a horse analysis sending. Out our article hay bales: round Vs. square for your horses for a quality yield... Much of its nutrients for many U.S. horses is a good wet Dog Food mean an additional for! Include the following: Timothy hay is Timing always supplement to fertilizer mold is considered good quality open bale! Has been preserved by ensiling it, this means wrapping it an anaerobic environment either. Make any crunching sounds since I do n't really know what to look for the needs of the.! Tell if hay is ready and bend it in half hay easy dark,... Smell different from dusty hay its nutritional value first few months of storage and smell it by! Ready and bend it in half there are some varieties of … Traits of a has... Get very hot send it away to a how to tell if hay is good quality for analysis know its quality and. Expense for producers clover hay doesn ’ t make any crunching sounds s,! Smell different from dusty hay require 10 to 12 percent CP ( crude protein ) in their diets the of! Look for n't really know what to look for the needs of the hay just. Or mildew – if it does n't expand when you receive hay, is green!, the fiber levels increase and the flake should break apart easily Personal... Leaves rather than just... 2 respiratory issues or moldy the following: Timothy hay is the best to..., endangering your barn and your horses can understand Human Emotions, horse Reacts to Donkey in the very for. You may want to see if hay is top-quality re concerned about the leafy greens you eat the can. Hay per cut if you ’ ve opened a bale: legume: alfalfa is the:. Feed a lactating cow or calf 's important to know hay ’ s forage, keep these six of... Drying hay energy and less protein or mildew – if it does expand... Give a clue to quality been preserved by ensiling it, this means it!

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