Hay

[Princess16]

Can anyone tell me the what the difference is between hay and haylage and when one is better than the other to feed.

Thanks - learning all the time !

 

[Shay]

Haylage is bagged semi dry - usually within 3 - 5 days of being cut. Hay is not baled until it is dry - 4 - 7 days after cutting. Haylage is moist, much heavier than hay and can be more calorific. It is supplied wrapped in plastic to stop it drying out or rotting. You have to use haylage within a week or so of opening the bale as it will go off. Hay lasts longer. You might soak hay to remove dust; you wouldn't soak haylage. Depending on your supplier haylage can be more expensive. You can buy very specific grass types as haylage; whereas hay tends to be more generic.

 

[Princess16]

Haylage is bagged semi dry - usually within 3 - 5 days of being cut. Hay is not baled until it is dry - 4 - 7 days after cutting. Haylage is moist, much heavier than hay and can be more calorific. It is supplied wrapped in plastic to stop it drying out or rotting. You have to use haylage within a week or so of opening the bale as it will go off. Hay lasts longer. You might soak hay to remove dust; you wouldn't soak haylage. Depending on your supplier haylage can be more expensive. You can buy very specific grass types as haylage; whereas hay tends to be more generic.

Thanks a lot Shay

 

[Dry Rot]

Hay varies as much as wines do! How old the grass is, what and how much fertiliser it's had, what species of grass, what herbs it contains, what stage of growth when cut, the time of day when cut, how long before being baled, dry matter when baled, how it has been stored, how long left in the sun, how many times rained on….

You'll not learn about hay from a forum. Go along with a farmer who keeps livestock when you buy hay and get him to show you. But there's a lot of these who have been at it all their lives who won't know either!

Haylage is usually cut earlier at a stage when it contains more protein so it is generally more nutritious. It is easier to make with modern machinery than hay (not so dependant on the weather) so often preferred. Dry haylage can be almost like hay and will last a lot more than a few days.