Alternatives to haylage this winter - advice please

[Rose Folly]

We have 3 horses and I'm wondering how to cope with the shortage of hay/haylage this coming winter. One horse cannot be fed hay at all because of COPD, and as their fodder, at least during the day, is communal, all 3 have haylage. With availability down and prices soaring, is there any alternative to haylage. The horses are usually out in the field for 7 hours a day in winter, with access to some haylage, and then plenty when stabled at night. Two of the horses are extremely good doers so I guess something like alfalfa or lucerne would be too rich for them, and probably even more expensive! On the other hand the 3rd horse is an elderly TB gentleman who needs good quality stuff. I know some people feed straw (is it oat or wheat straw?) as a supplement to hay or haylage, but then that's going to be in short supply as well. Would be very grateful for any suggestions.

 

[Oliver12]

When I looked after an elderly Shetland pony who didn't have many teeth, I was advised by an independent nutritionist to feet equal amounts of Hi-Fi (or equivalent), sugar beet and high fibre cubes but it could work out quite expensive. If you can get hold of the bales of oat-straw (think the manufactures are Honeychop or something like that) I suppose you could mix equal parts with soaked Alfalfa pellets which might work out cheaper.

 

[EAST KENT]

I have used pea haulm straw before,it is a huge treat and quite good feed value I believe,it was ok with my horse ,another one who could not have hay.

 

[Rose Folly]

Thanks so much, Oliver12 and East Kent. Both ideas are good and I'll investigate. I've not heard of pea haulm straw, so I hope my feed merchant is better informed than me! Is it pea stems or the like, or just a name for a kind of straw?

 

[hobo]

Hopefully now the rain has come more haylage will be made we have made it in october for the cows before now and hope to this year to make up short fall. If you remember last year hay wasn't made till august some places. Fingers crossed that law of averages sorts it out!!

 

[Oliver12]

I wouldn't worry too much. I've been hearing about hay/haylage shortages for years but we always seem to have enough. There will be plenty of rain I'm sure to enable second and third cuts for haylage.

 

[AmyMay]

I wouldn't worry too much. I've been hearing about hay/haylage shortages for years but we always seem to have enough. There will be plenty of rain I'm sure to enable second and third cuts for haylage.

Ditto - every year, come good crop or bad.......

 

[K27]

Can you ask your haylage supplier to guarantee that they will supply with (xyz) amount of bales if you agree that you will buy a certain amount from them, or work out how many you will need and buy in advance - only thing is it is very costly pre buying what you will need! or buy horsehage/smaller bags by the pallet load?

I think it will be a bad winter for hay/haylage, If we get good weather to allow 2nd/3rd cuts then that may go some way to help!

 

[Rose Folly]

Last year (the first year I had to use haylage) I got it from a very helpful local farmer who makes his own. Unfortunately though, he has 25 liveries at his farm, and of course naturally they come first! I know the amount I need, and made my request a wek or two ago. He was affable and laconic and said "I reckon it'll be all right". Hence my jumpiness! But I've taken on board what you're all saying about not panicking!

 

[Honey08]

I think it will work out in the end! I'm up North, and we've more grass than normal really. I drive to London and back once a week, and can't really see much evidence of no grass until you get south of Oxford. Everywhere else looks fine. Now its raining a lot here, the grass has shot up, and the second cuts are nearly ready..

 

[EAST KENT]

Can you ask your haylage supplier to guarantee that they will supply with (xyz) amount of bales if you agree that you will buy a certain amount from them, or work out how many you will need and buy in advance - only thing is it is very costly pre buying what you will need! or buy horsehage/smaller bags by the pallet load?

I think it will be a bad winter for hay/haylage, If we get good weather to allow 2nd/3rd cuts then that may go some way to help!

I have already payed for my haylage reels,erring on generous for the amount needed,the farmer will then store it till required.Also I`ve invested in a big hay reel feeder,which should cut down on wastage,so hopefully it will be enough for the whole winter. The reels were £24.00 each,so a good deal I thought.

 

[Rose Folly]

Thanks East Kent, but I have to show my ignorance AGAIN! What is a reel feeder. Sounds as though they would only work for round bales? Our haylage comes bagged in 3ft squares, so it comes out more like a concertina, if you see what I mean (like in flaps). Where can you get reel feeders?

 

[EAST KENT]

Round bale feeders..well mine came from Kent Wool Growers,our local farmers store, I bet every area has a farmers store .It is the one meant for bullocks,so it stands four foot high,half of the sides are done in wide spaced vertical bars.You could fill it up with hay I suppose,the metal sides just prevent the bloomin` things stomping in and wasting hay.This way at least what I buy won`t get wasted. But others have used railway sleepers several high in a square to put their hay into,it the same idea and would be cheaper,if not suitable for the big round bales we use.