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Andy
Feb 1, 20183 min read

Choosing The Right Hay For You


Choosing the Right Hay Alfalfa Hay, Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass and Mixed Hays

We carry a variety of hay products to meet the needs of your livestock. We purchase hay directly from the same source in Eastern Washington, so our hay keeps a consistent quality. You can be assured the hay you purchase from us is of high quality at very reasonable costs. Types of Hay for Horses and Livestock Different types of hay provide different levels of nutrition and calories. Alfalfa hay, for example, is a legume and is higher in protein than grass types of hay. It is often used in the feeding of dairy and beef cattle, horses, sheep, swine, and chickens. Timothy hay, Orchard Grass and various Mixed hays are frequently fed to working and pleasure horses and are used throughout the race horse industry. Choosing the correct roughage product for a livestock feeding program is important. We carry various types of hay, such as Alfalfa, Timothy, Orchard Grass, and various Mixed hays.

Preserve the quality of your hay with the following tips for storage:

  • Hay always keeps better in a dry, well-ventilated area.

  • Try to stack hay off the ground. Even concrete floors can cause the bottom layer to mold. Stacking on plastic tarp, hay chaff, or pallets is always a good idea.

  • The most important thing to remember is probably the most often overlooked: Always stack your bales on edge, so the strings are on the vertical sides of the bale. DON'T stack hay with the strings on the top and bottom. Stacking bales on edge lets the hay breathe. It will cure better, for sweet-smelling hay all year long.

Differences In Various Hay Cuttings:

  • First cutting hay is harvested from late May through June, as the weather allows. It tends to be more mature, coarser, and less green in color than later cuttings. Generally, first cutting is lower in protein, but higher in fiber. This cutting is the least expensive and is usually used for livestock with lower nutrient requirements. Some people feed first cutting mixed with later cuttings, to cut cost.

  • Second cutting hay is harvested from late June through July. It rates from 'excellent' to 'prime', tests as high as 12% -14% protein, and is typically greener in color than first cutting. Second cutting works well as a primary feed, and requires little or no supplement to create a balanced ration.

  • Third cutting hay is harvested from August to early September. It is comparable to second cutting, but may be finer in texture and a darker green. Although young cuttings of third can be richer in nutrients than second cutting, it usually tests about the same.

Don't forget, you can stop by Clearview Hardware & Feed in Snohomish for all of your Animal Needs! We also carry a full selection of Hay and Animal Feed. Clearview True Value delivers Alfalfa, delivers Orchard Grass, delivers Timothy, delivers Straw! We also have a low price on Propane Refills, and a low price on Energy Logs and Fuel Pellets. Call us with any questions or to order: (360) 668-6363. We deliver Hay Snohomish County and deliver hay King County.

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