What is the second cut of hay called?
2nd cutting is called “second” because it is the hay that is harvested after the 1st cutting. 2nd cutting Timothy Hay is a darker green color and is leafier and more tender with high levels of nutrition. It takes FarmerDave more time, effort and gentle care to make 2nd cutting Timothy Hay properly.
What does Second cut hay mean?
Usually, second cutting is a lighter harvest that yields fewer bales than first cut, when the grass is going sort of wild, given rain and sun in the right mix. Second cut smells sweeter and is richer in nutrients. Also calories. First cut hay is coarser than second cut, this is because the spring growth (rain, etc.)
What is #2 hay?
#2 Alfalfa Hay for sale. #2 Alfalfa hay is an excellent feed for your animals. The stem to leaf ratio is slightly higher than our premium hay, but the quality is still very high. There will still be the need to control the amount of this hay in your animals’ diet due to the high DE (digestible energy) of this hay.
What are the parts of hay?
Hay is made from the stems, leaves, and seed heads of plants that are fresh. It is cut and baled when it has the most nutritional value, and is fed to livestock.
Is second or third cut hay better?
To begin with, 1st cutting is the first hay cut from that field for the year. It tends to be more coarse and have more grasses in it. 2nd cutting is usually greener in color and has a sweeter smell. And lastly, 3rd cutting is very thick and rich.
What does good brome hay look like?
Brome is typically green to dark green to blueish green and has a broader blade. This hay is high in protein, but lower in calcium than legume hay. It is highly palatable.
How long is hay good for?
You can store hay indefinitely if the stack is managed correctly; although, in humid climates, using hay within three years of harvest is ideal. Hay growers need to bale it at correct moisture levels because if it’s baled too damp the hay will generate heat, which leads to molding.
What is the difference between first second and third cut hay?
Is Brome a hay?
Brome, or smooth bromegrass, is a highly palatable and clean cool season grass that provides excellent quality hay when properly managed. Typically raised in the Midwest and harvested once a year from late May to early June, brome will be very leafy and does not contain coarse or hard stems.
Which cutting of hay is best for horses?
The most common choice of hay is second cutting, but first cutting is also good for horses, plus it is usually cheaper than the other two. Choose hay that is soft, green, and leafy, with thin stems, so it is easier for horses to eat.
Is second cut hay better than first?
Timothy hay is one of the most popular hays fed to horses. Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content. The first cutting usually has a higher weed content, and quality decreases after the second cutting, so the second cutting is usually the best to feed.
What type of hay do horses like best?
Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass and timothy are all examples of common grasses used for hay. Benefits: Grass hay is lower in protein and energy than legume hay — but it’s also higher in fiber, which can make it a good choice for many horses.
Can horses eat second cutting hay?
Is second cut hay good for horses?
Second Cutting This is the most common cutting of hay that horse owners give to their horses, and for a good reason. It is greener and more substantial, with more leaves and a sweet smell. This hay contains a lot of protein and fat, so it is excellent for horses that exercise.
What are the 4 categories of hay?
We carry a variety of high quality alfalfa, grain hay and grasses for all of your pet and livestock feeding needs.
- Alfalfa Hay. Alfalfa Hay is a high-fiber legume hay.
- Timothy Hay. Timothy Hay is 10% protein.
- Bermuda.
- Orchard Grass.
- Oat Hay.
- Forage Hay.
- Straw.
What’s the difference between first and second cut timothy hay?
First cutting is coarser. It has more stems, and less leaves. It is a great hay for bunnies. Second cutting, well it still has stems, but it has more leaves.
Is hay just tall grass?
Hay is a grass or can be a form of grass. When referring to it as a form of grass, it is a cut grass that has been cut then dried for the purpose of becoming an animal feed or food. Hay is a common food commodity for livestock owners who raise horses, cattle, sheep and goats.
Is hay just long grass?
Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut and dried to be stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for large grazing animals raised as livestock, such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. However, it is also fed to smaller domesticated animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
What are the fluffy things in hay called?
Seed Heads are the fuzzy tops on some cuts of hay. According to guinea pigs and rabbits they’re the best part! We consider these treats so they should be fed sparingly. Especially because of their calcium content.
What’s the difference between the second cutting of hay?
This is termed the “second cutting,” which usually has a larger percentage of leaves to stems, has a finer and softer stem, has increased percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and has a lower crude fiber percentage (depending upon the stage of maturity at which it was cut) .
What kind of hay is used to make hay bales?
Hay should be green, leafy, and smell good. Straw is mostly the stems of oats, wheat, or another cereal crop, and is a golden color. Straw is mainly used for bedding. When hay is cut, it is baled. It is baled so it can be transported and stored easier. The bales can be held together with twine, wire, netting, or even plastic wrap.
What’s the difference between silage and crop hay?
Crop hay and silage can be of very good quality if managed correctly. Crops cut for hay can be at risk of weather damage due to longer curing times. Crops cut for silage have less curing time (24 to 48 hours), reducing exposure to possible weather damage. Silage is cut at an earlier growth stage, making
What kind of Hay does a cow eat?
The green cut hay is permitted to dry out in the fields and under a warming sun and is then baled – either in smaller, square bales or the much bigger round bales – and transported and sold. Cows invariably get round bales of first cut, left out in the elements. Cows are not fussy about what they eat. They are generally given grain as well.
Which is better 2nd cut or 3rd cut hay?
Second cut hay is a good hay for healthy adult rabbits. It usually has more leaves on the stems which is more attractive to your rabbit. This hay is greener than 1st cut and not as stemy. The protein and fat content is a little higher than 1st cut and the fiber level is a bit lower. Third cut is a very soft and heavy leafy hay.
What kind of plants were used to make hay?
Many different plants have been used throughout history to feed animals. The first farmers on the prairie would cut the prairie grasses and use them to feed their livestock. Timothy grass and clover, both plants native to Europe, were the most common plants used for hay in the early 20th century.
Which is the fastest growing hay for horses?
Second cut alfalfa hay is usually the fastest growing because it is developing during the hottest part of the season, and it usually has more stem in relation to leaf. Of all cuttings, second cut tends to be the lowest in crude protein, but its 16 percent average is adequate for all classes of horses.
How much does second cut hay cost per bale?
It is also somewhat more expensive, anywhere between 50 cents and a dollar a bale, depending on where it is grown. Donkeys and sheep are generally fed first cut, they are hardy and adaptable, they will eat almost anything green, second cut hay is a luxury for them, sort of like Thanksgiving Dinner.
