Early or late cut hay?

[poiuytrewq]

We have several fields Mr P makes hay off. I have my favourite that I aim for my hay to come from.
It’s old water meadow, really well established but we have had the hay off it for years now so have got the thistles and stuff out.
It was in some kind of scheme and couldn’t be cut til mid July, last year that was too wet and by the time we made it it had gone too far and was just a tangly mess.
This year one of the 3 meadows came out of the scheme. So we made some lovely hay last month in the hot weather… perfect, enough for my guys for winter.
So job done. I was happy, hay was in and stored.

However the other meadows have just been cut and I’m told it’s going to be amazing and I’ll want that instead

I don’t like decisions!!
Which is likely to be best, IF it makes well?
Early or late cut? Same baler etc
I don’t want great nutritional value as such but I want nice stuff that I don’t have to soak and can stuff as much as they will eat into them.

 

[Jambarissa]

Can you just get it tested? £20 well spent.

My preference is for later cut stemmy hay for my fat cobs but that does not guarantee lower sugar or protein.

 

[setterlover]

Generally early cut it much richer than late cut it depends what you want and who you are feeding it to.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Can you just get it tested? £20 well spent.

My preference is for later cut stemmy hay for my fat cobs but that does not guarantee lower sugar or protein.

I need the least stemmy possible as have one with feacal water which is why I love those particular meadows rather than the other fields he does which are stalkier.
Yes, I could get both lots tested but he wants to sell this lot straight off the field if I don’t want it so am on a tight time limit to decide!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Generally early cut it much richer than late cut it depends what you want and who you are feeding it to.

Less rich for us! Thanks

 

[I'm Dun]

50/50 split so you have more calories and less stems for the oldies and the other for the rest?

 

[Sanversera]

Late cut is what I'd go for.

 

[spotty_pony2]

Good to know as ours is being cut tomorrow and is quite long and stalky but also thick. I’m excited to see what it turns out like as it’s our first time making our own!

 

[PurBee]

50/50 split so you have more calories and less stems for the oldies and the other for the rest?

I’d go for this too - then you have options over winter. Give early softer cut, if losing condition, and if FWS is an issue for OP, the softer would be good to have on hand if the stemmy triggers worse reactions for one.

I prefer to have mixture of qualities depending on season/condition of horse/their individual needs.