Differene between different forages?

[becca114]

I am a little confused about the nutritional differences between hay and haylage. I know haylage has a higher water content and lower nutrient content than hey(according to Baileys) so why is haylage becoming a more popular feed. You have to feed more than you would hay so doesn't it work out more expensive?

Also Whats the difference between hay and dried grass and products like readigrass and horsehage?

 

[Orangehorse]

I think the Dodson & Horrell website has information sheets on feeding in general and about hay and haylage.

 

[jumpthemoon]

Haylage is baled earlier than hay, giving it a higher moisture content than hay, which is left to dry out. Haylage also has a higher nutritional content than hay and some horses can be taken off hard feed altogether when fed haylage. The reason you woul dfeed more haylage on a weight basis is that haylage contaiins about 40% moisture, whereas hay only contains about 20%, if that.

Horsehage is like haylage, but the grass is re-seeded every 2-3 years to keep to nutrient value as high as possible. It is usually much better quality than normal haylage.

Not sure about redigrass, but I think this is grass that has gone through a special drying process - again, different to the other forages.