Is first or second cutting hay better?
Neither first nor second cutting hay is universally "better"; it depends on your animals' needs, but second cutting is generally preferred for higher protein and palatability, while first cutting offers more fiber and is cheaper, often containing more coarse stems and sometimes weeds, making it good for "easy keepers" needing more chew time or roughage. Second cut is leafier, greener, finer, and richer in nutrients, ideal for growing animals or those needing energy, while first cut is better for maintenance or preventing weight gain.Why is second cut hay more expensive?
First-cut hay is usually cheaper and more abundant because it's harvested in larger volumes early in the season. Second-cut hay, on the other hand, tends to be higher priced and in greater demand because of its nutritional value and palatability.What are the benefits of second cut hay?
Benefits of Second Cutting HaySecond cutting hay generally has softer texture, higher digestibility, and a richer protein profile. This makes second cutting hay suitable for horses with elevated nutritional needs such as: Horses in moderate to heavy work. Broodmares.
Does 2nd cut hay have more sugar?
Generally, later cuts of hay are usually more fibrous with lower sugar and protein content.Is second cut hay good for cows?
Producers should strive to harvest 1st cutting hay in the early heading stage. Hay harvested at this stage should meet the nutrient requirements for late pregnant cows. Second cutting hay should be used to feed lactating cows. The date of 1st cutting will be highly dependant on the type of spring weather.Whats the Difference Between 1st 2nd and 3rd Cut Hay? Does It Matter?
What's better, 1st or 2nd cut hay?
For horses that need to gain weight, are working hard, or have higher nutritional requirements, the richer second cut hay might be a better choice. However, for horses that gain weight easily or need to lose a few pounds, the first cut hay, with its higher fiber content and fewer calories, can be more suitable.What is the cheapest way to fatten cattle?
Your cattle will gain weight effectively without heavily depending on pricey commercial rations if you create a balanced mix of roughages and concentrates. Another essential component of inexpensive cattle fattening is pasture management. Dependency on purchased feed is decreased by well-maintained pastures.Is October too late to cut hay?
For example, October 15 is a good cut-off date where if the killing frost has not occurred yet, it likely will soon, and the weather in late October is usually cold enough that 200 GDD will not accumulate within the time remaining in the fall.Which hay is highest in sugar?
Hay made from small grains like oats, triticale, and barley are often high in NSC as they potentially contain seedheads. Alfalfa can be low in sugar and is higher in digestible energy and protein.What is the 1 2 3 rule for horses?
Tie the placenta up with baling twine so the mare does not step on it but otherwise wait for the mare to deliver it on her own. Post Parturition Guidelines: The 1-2-3 Rule The foal should stand within one hour of delivery, nurse within two hours, and the placenta should pass within three hours.What is the #1 killer of horses?
The most common cause of death in horses, especially for those aged 1 to 20, is colic, a general term for abdominal pain, which can stem from impactions, twists, or ruptures, often requiring emergency surgery. For older horses (over 20), while colic remains a top killer, old age, lameness, tumors (like Cushing's disease), and neurological issues become more prevalent causes, with digestive system issues still leading.What puts weight on a horse the fastest?
Here are seven nutritionist-recommended weight gain feeds that are safe and effective for most horses:- Beet Pulp.
- Legume Forages.
- Brans.
- Oils.
- Dry Fat Supplements.
- Flax Seed.
- Hay Cubes and Pellets.
What type of hay is not good for horses?
Types of Hay to Avoid for Horses- Perennial ryegrass and rye. ...
- Dallisgrass.
- Argentine bahiagrass. ...
- Johnsongrass, Sorghum grasses/Sudangrass. ...
- Switchgrass, which causes photosensitivity, peeling skin, mouth ulcers and liver disease.
- Foxtail Millet (aka German Millet) and Meadow foxtail.
Can you cut hay in September?
Some producers may hesitate to do this because it if move difficult to dry hay in October, but the risk of winter injury to the field necessitates the wait. If you cut in mid-September, the plants will begin to regrow and begin to use what stored carbohydrates they have.What is the three-second rule for horses?
Praising a horse for a good behavior, or putting the horse to work for misbehaving, is only understood if it happens within three seconds of the behavior. It is a marker of understanding between you two. It gives the horse a frame of reference he needs to eliminate indecision and doubt about what you are asking.What type of hay do horses prefer?
Horse hay is categorized as grass hay, legume hay, or a mixed grass/legume blend, each with different nutritional profiles; popular grass types include Timothy and Orchardgrass, while Alfalfa is the most common legume, offering higher protein and calories, making hay selection crucial for meeting a horse's specific energy, growth, or maintenance needs.Does first or second cut hay have more sugar?
Given this, hay harvested in the afternoon tends to contain greater sugar content than morning-cut hay. This is particularly important to note when producing hay for horses prone to metabolic issues like Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Insulin Resistance (IR).What are signs of good quality hay?
Color & odor - High quality hay generally has a bright green color and a sweet, fresh odor. Brown coloration, a bleached appearance, or musty odors denote low quality. Foreign material - The hay should be free of foreign objects (trash, sticks, tree leaves), and weeds.What hay has the highest protein for horses?
Likewise, alfalfa hay usually contains higher levels of protein, carotene (precursor for Vitamin A) and higher levels of calcium than grass hays. Horses like lactating mares and growing foals that have a need for higher levels of protein in their diets will benefit from diets containing some alfalfa in them.Why do farmers cut hay at night?
Though starches and simple sugars accumulate during the day, a substantial amount of these carbohydrates are used up during the night for growth and maintenance (via the processes of respiration). Therefore, cutting the crop at night will likely maximize the sugar in the crop, at least at the time of cutting.Does hay grow back every year?
Once a particular type of hay has been sold out, that type of hay will not be available again until the next year's crops are grown. Hay is only grown during a portion of the year so if you are purchasing hay during a time other than the growing season, the hay you are purchasing is being stored at a storage location.Is it better to cut hay in the morning or afternoon?
The preference for late afternoon cutting is compelling and originated from a number of studies that were done in the western United States. Not only was the PM-cut forage (both alfalfa and grasses) of higher quality, but the researchers also had convincing evidence that animals preferred it to AM-cut hay.What is the 30 month rule for cattle?
The 30-month rule for cattle, a key measure against Mad Cow Disease (BSE), requires the removal of Specified Risk Materials (SRMs)—like the brain, spinal cord, and skull—from the carcasses of cattle over 30 months old before they enter the human food chain, preventing disease transmission, although regulations have evolved to focus on testing and SRM removal rather than a blanket ban in some regions like the U.S. and UK.How much grain should a 1000 lb steer eat a day?
A 1000 pound steer could be fed 20-25 lbs. of corn per day plus 2-3 lbs. hay for 90 days as a finish- ing ration. A word of caution about feeding high levels of grain, anything over 3-5 lbs./per day.Which is better for cattle, whole corn or cracked corn?
Cracked corn is more digestible (5-10% better) than whole corn, improving feed efficiency, especially in high-grain finishing diets for steers, but whole corn is more cost-effective for cows in forage-heavy diets as they break it down chewing cud, making processing an unnecessary expense for them; the key is matching processing to diet type and cost, balancing better nutrient use with the cost of cracking, which can increase rumen acidosis risk if over-processed.
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