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Alfalfa
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Bermuda Grass
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Fescue
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Alfalfa is ideal for dairy cattle for the reason that is has very high levels of crude protein content and exceptional roughage value. All types and classes of forage-consuming livestock appreciate alfalfa, and perform well on it including beef cattle, sheep, and goats. As a horse feed, its compact size, high levels of protein and vitamin rich composition make it an ideal choice.
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In the export markets, Bermuda Hay is used to feed young cows, as well as dry cows. It is easily fed and, in very hot climates it is favored by the cow over other feeds. Popular in the United States for horses, some dairy, and beef cattle it is slowly being accepted in some of the Asian markets for horses. |
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Fescue is a lower cost alternative for horses as it is soft, and very green. However, if feeding to brood mares request an endophyte-free fescue. Fescue hay can be used to supplement grazing and also as hay to feed stabled animals. Cattle are also sometimes fed fescue straw (the stalks of harvested fescue). |
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Kleingrass
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Meadow Foxtail
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Oats
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| Kleingrass can grow up to 1 meter tall and is a fine stemmed leafy plant. Kleingrass is palatable and nutritious for cattle. When Kleingrass is grown for hay it is typically harvested at a younger stage of growth. Harvesting at a younger stage helps to produce a fine stem, soft and leafy grass hay that is very palatable and nutritious for many types of animals. |
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Resembles Timothy Hay, but with softer spikes.Meadow foxtail is a perennial grass and can be used for hay, but its forage yields are lower than can be expected from reed canarygrass and timothy. Meadow foxtail is earlier growing than most grasses, and is ready for harvest in mid-June. |
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Oat hay is nutritious enough for dry dairy cows, mature horses, and beef cattle. It can replace some of the lower-quality feeds such as grass hay and higher-priced feed such as alfalfa for dry cows where lower potassium is desired. |
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Orchardgrass
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Sudan
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Timothy
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| People who feed horses increasingly are choosing orchardgrass instead of timothy. Nutritionally, timothy and orchardgrass are about equal. Stabled horses call for higher-fiber, lower-energy hay and if harvested just prior to pollen-shed Orchardgrass can provide this. |
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It is more suited to rations for dry cows, replacement heifers over 12 months of age, and beef cows and calves. Sudan is not a feed recommendation for horses. It is a high-quality, long fiber grass hay which can be fed directly to cattle or as part of a mixed ration. An excellent source of dietary fiber that provides active rumen stimulation. |
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It is considered part of the standard mix for grass hay and provides quality nutrition for horses. The first cutting is preferred for horses as it has longer and harder fiber length, as well as longer seed heads but in some cases may be second cutting. Some first cutting may be fed to cattle; however this is typically second cutting. |