With all of the different varieties of hay available, it can be hard to know which is best for your animals’ feed program. Some hays, like alfalfa, offer a high protein content while others, including timothy hay, have a high palatability preference which makes it appealing to livestock. Having a better understanding of the different types of hay ensures that you can be more confident in knowing that you’re feeding the best diet to your animals.
Alfalfa Hay
Alfalfa is a legume hay that is very nutrient-dense, offering your livestock a significant source of protein and energy, as well as vitamins and other nutrients, like calcium. This hay often makes an optimal addition to the feed programs of animals in need of a more nutrient-rich diet including pregnant or lactating mares, competition or working horses, and, in some situations, young foals.
Orchardgrass
Orchardgrass is a cool-season, versatile hay that is frequently used in both pasture and hay applications. Its well-balanced nutritional composition paired with its high-palatability characteristics make it a favorite for many farmers. Orchardgrass should always be leafy, soft to the touch, and have a nice blue-green color.
Timothy Hay
Popular among equestrian enthusiasts, timothy hay grass is preferred for its moderate, yet balanced nutritional offerings. Along with high palatability, timothy hay contains essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus which contributes to it being easily digestible. This cool-season grass is also popular as forage for small animals like rabbits.
Orchardgrass/Alfalfa Mix (O/A) Hay
An orchardgrass/alfalfa mix can be a great solution for those looking to include high energy and protein levels in their livestock’s diet program but don’t want to feed strictly alfalfa. This blend is ideal for pregnant or lactating mares as well as underdeveloped animals that need the additional protein.
Smooth Bromegrass
Smooth bromegrass, also known as brome, is one of the most popular hays for livestock animals and horses. Brome contains a high relative feed value (RFV) of around 90-100, is very palatable, contains adequate protein, and is full of essential minerals. Horses love the taste of brome and given its high digestibility, it makes an excellent base or addition to any feed program. Many individuals also prefer brome as a first choice feed option for their goats and sheep.
Understanding the different variations of hay, in addition to the benefits each offers, is a necessary step in ensuring that your animals are being fed the best possible hay and grass available. Jamback Farms is proud to offer all of these types of hay for our customers and their animals. We know that what you feed your animals makes a significant difference in their overall health, performance, and life quality, so we only source our hay from the highest-quality producers. To learn more about the different hays we offer, check out our current inventory page. We’re also happy to accommodate special requests, so feel free to contact us online or give us a call at 865-804-0700.