Can you feed last years hay to horses?

Before you throw away hay that's a year or two old, do some research. It might actually be completely fine to feed to your horse. You'll have to thoroughly check it over, but it's not as bad as you might think. Surprisingly, old hay can hold onto its value fairly well if stored correctly.

Is year old hay good for horses?

Summary: No nutrients quantifiable by hay analysis are lost during 9-13 months of storage in hay that is baled below 12% moisture and properly stored in a dry climate. There is no advantage to purchasing year old hay for horses with lower nutritional requirements.

Will cows eat year old hay?

According to the hay calculator, the year-old hay has 36 percent waste in the form of weathered, low quality hay that will not be eaten by the cows. This gives last year's hay an adjusted value of $70.31 per bale when compared to this year's hay.

How long does hay keep fresh?

If stored correctly, hay will stay good for about 12 months after harvest before losing any of its fresh taste or smell.

When is the best time to cut hay?

Does hay lose nutrients over time?

A: Hay begins to lose its nutritional value at the time of cutting and continues to lose nutrients both while drying in the field and while in storage. The nutrients most affected by harvesting and storing are vitamins. Conversely, the protein and mineral content of hay is quite stable.

Will old hay hurt cows?

Risks of Feeding Moldy Hay

Consuming moldy hay can lead to respiratory and digestive problems such as heaves and colic. Cattle and other ruminants aren't as sensitive to moldy hay. However, moldy hay can still cause issues such as aspergillosis and mycotic abortions in cattle.

How long is hay good for cows?

Silage is the answer to this problem as it can be stored at 30 percent moisture content. The length of time you can store silage is much longer than other feed stuff for cattle. Properly stored silage can be kept for around 4 or 5 years.

How do you get cattle to eat old hay?

Put it out on bedding pile and expect the cattle to lay on it and all of a sudden the cattle will eat it. Keep the bales for another year. At least here where we are not wet enough to rot bales in two to three years, the cattle will eat the old bales better than new stuff.

Can old hay make horses sick?

Moldy hay can kill a horse. It's a cause of colic that can be fatal, and some types of mold are toxic to horses. And inhaled mold spores enter horses' respiratory systems when they eat, causing heaves or other chronic respiratory diseases.

How do you know if hay is good for horses?

Good quality hay should be bright green in color with little fading. A bleached, yellow, brown or black color may indicate aged hay, mold or poor storage conditions. Storage condition and age have a significant effect on vitamin content of hays.

Does old hay lose sugar?

One concern about storing hay for a long time is its nutritional value. The longer it stays in a barn, the more nutrition it loses. In fact, after just a few months, the losses will start, and within a year it could lose 5% of its value. This includes protein, fiber, vitamins, sugars, and minerals.

How long can horse hay be stored?

The carotene concentration in hay declines rapidly, especially when exposed to sunlight, and much of that loss occurs within the first three to six months of storage. Some loss of carotene will even occur in the field between the time of cutting and baling.

What can you use old hay for?

Spoiled hay has the added benefit of breaking down slowly over the summer and adding organic matter to the soil. It can also be used for winter mulch to cover tender plants and protect them from the effects of cold winds or freezing temperatures.

How can you tell how old hay is?

Signs that your horse hay may be bad include a lack of color or dried-out appearance, a moldy smell, excessive dust, visible mold, or excessive heat towards the center of the hay bale. Because hay provides your horse with so many essential nutrients, you must provide your horse with the best quality hay available.

Is 10 year old hay still good?

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. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.

How many bales of hay does a cow need for winter?

For a cow needing 8,190 pounds of hay per year and a bale weight of 960 pounds, divide 8,190 by 960 for a yearly need of about 8.5 bales per cow. Multiply this by the total number of weaned cattle in your herd. For example, 45 cows multiplied by 8.5 bales per cow results in a total need of 383 bales.

Can cows live on just hay?

Hay is the most commonly used winter feed for beef cattle, but it's also the most expensive. Each cow requires a daily intake of 40 pounds of round-baled hay, which amounts to $1.61 if pricing hay at $80 per ton.

How can you tell if hay is moldy?

Look for Mold

Cut open a bale of hay and separate the flakes. Look for the presence of mold in any of the flakes. Moldy hay generally presents as darker areas which are grey or black. If you find mold, refuse the bale – mold indicates that the hay was baled when it was too wet.

Can cows eat bad hay?

Cattle aren't as sensitive to moldy hay, but certain molds can result in mycotic abortions or aspergillosis. 3. Moldy hay also puts ranchers at risk. Mold spores can cause “farmer's lung,” which results in the fungus growing in the lung tissue if it has been inhaled.

What is the white stuff on hay?

In hay, the white mold in the bale is the mycelium and dustiness is from the tiny spores. The potential for hay molding starts even with the standing hay crop where bacteria protects the plant from fungal and yeast infections.

How do you keep hay fresh?

Storing hay

Your hay does best in the dark, where sun can't damage it. It also does best in dry places, with lots of ventilation. That means basements are not a good place to store hay – they are dark, but typically the air flow is next to nothing. And dampness is usually a problem down there in the cellar.

What is the most nutritious hay for horses?

Legume Hay for Horses

Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. Benefits: Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A.

How do you store hay without a barn?

Without a barn, you can adapt a large storage shed or cargo container. If you have to store hay outdoors, protect stacked hay with secured tarps or a plastic covering. Raise hay off bare ground using wood pallets or tires, or by building a pad of rocks or gravel.