Matua bromegrass hay (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) is a high quality forage, but its value for mares during gestation and lactation is not well known. Intake, rate of passage, performance, and reproduction by gestating and lactating Quarter Horse mares fed the hay was investigated. In this experiment, 12, 2- to 12-yr-old gravid mares (mean BW = 553 kg, SD = 36) were fed Matua hay (CP = 11.5%) or a...

this study was conducted to determine nutritive value of common animal feed sources in east azerbaijan province including second cutting of alfalfa hay ( n=35) and wheat straw (n=26). chemical composition and mineral contents of alfalfa hay and wheat straw were determined according to standard methods. then the average chemical compositions of these samples were compared with those of the gilan...

Alfalfa is usually wilted 15% or less moisture prior to baling for hay. However, harvesting at low moistures increases loss of leaves (protein) during baling and reduces nutritive value. In addition, long wilting times increases the risk for damage from rain. In order to retain more nutrients and prevent rain damage, hay can be baled at higher moistures but the risk of spoilage from undesirable...

The key chemical analysis used to estimate the energy value of alfalfa hay for trading purposes, ADF (acid detergent fiber), has been supplanted by NDF (neutral detergent fiber) as the key chemical analysis used by nutritionists to evaluate the fibrosity and energy value of alfalfa hay for nutritional purposes. It is important that the alfalfa hay trading industry abandon ADF, as it will genera...

When hay is first baled stored, it may go through a “sweat”, an increase in bale temperature. This increase in bale temperature is a combination of plant, bacteria, yeast, and fungi respiration. Plant soluble carbohydrates, principally sugars, are the source of energy for this respiration and increase in heat. As hay storage time increases, the hay loses Dry Matter (DM), and increases in Neutra...

Interseeding legumes into grass-dominated stands can benefit pasture and hay producers by increasing the yield and quality of forage they produce and reducing their need for inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. The challenge is to get the legumes established given the competition from existing vegetation. This study confirmed that suppressing the grasses with glyphosate prior to seeding results in th...