What are the different types of haylage?
Types of haylage
- Ryegrass. Ryegrass is a high energy haylage that is typically quite high in calories.
- Meadow Haylage. Meadow haylage is a good option if you are looking for a lower-calorie, non-heating haylage.
- High Fibre. High Fibre Haylage is a great option for horses in medium to light work.
- Alfalfa.
- Special Mixes.
How do you make the best haylage?
8 basic steps to make baleage for livestock
- Quality. Make haylage from high quality/early growth forage (late boot to early head) since it has higher sugar content that is needed to produce good haylage fermentation.
- Don’t condition.
- Wide swaths.
- No tedding.
- Bale it tight.
- Wrap it up.
- Stack and store.
- Check back.
What are the 3 types of hay bales most often fed to horses?
Common mixes are timothy/alfalfa, orchardgrass/ alfalfa, and orchardgrass/clover. The best hay mix for most horses, without any health problems, is one-half Alfalfa and one-half Timothy. But each horse is different, so it’s best to adjust the portions based on their needs.
Is ryegrass haylage good for horses?
Our High Fibre Ryegrass haylage however, due to the efficient fermentation that takes place is still safe to feed to laminitics at just 6.1% combined sugar and starch as fed. Ryegrass hay however, should be avoided for any sugar sensitive horse.
What grass is used for haylage?
Grass only hay leys offer high quality and bulk while a softer meadow mixture can be created by adding sweet vernal grass. A longer term option for the hay and haylage producer includes upright hybrid ryegrass and longer lasting perennial ryegrass.
How do I make good baled silage?
Tips for making good quality baled silage
- Aim to mow when grass is dry and easier to preserve.
- Aim for a wilt of 24 – 36 hours to improve preservation and reduce effluent production.
- Aim to produce dense well shaped bales.
- Aim to wrap bales within 2 – 3 hours after baling and ensure adequate plastic film is used.
What hay can horses not eat?
Oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat. Oat hay tends to be higher in nitrates and also high in sugar (NSC), so this hay is not an option for insulin resistant horses. Here’s a comparison chart so you can see the differences between alfalfa hay, timothy (grass) hay and oat hay.
What kind of hay is bad for horses?
Some hay types are particularly prone to high nitrate levels and should be avoided if there are options. These include: Sorghum, Sudan, Johnsongrass and Pearl Millet. High levels of simple carbohydrate (sugars, starch) are an issue for horses with insulin resistance and can occur in virtually any type of hay.
Can I mix hay and haylage?
It isn’t advisable for horses who are prone to weight gain or those who suffer from laminitis. Some horses can find haylage too rich for their digestive tract and it can upset them. Some people have found though that mixing hay and haylage to balance in this situation may be the answer!