Hay
Cuttings Horsemen are very opinionated
on which cutting is the best to buy. Although there are some differences
in the cuttings, the quality of the hay is much more important than the cutting.
From a nutritional standpoint, all cuttings can result in prime horse hay.
With alfalfa, there will be some variation in protein content between cuttings.
First cut alfalfa hay has the reputation of having large tough stems, but this
is only true if the hay was too mature when cut. If first cut hay is mowed
at the pre-bloom stage, the stems will not be coarse and the nutritive value will
be high. Weeds do tend to appear in first-cut hay.
Second cut alfalfa hay is usually the fastest growing because it is developing
during the hottest part of the season, and it usually has more stem in relation
to leaf. Of all cuttings, second cut tends to be the lowest in crude protein,
but its 16 percent average is adequate for all classes of horses.
Third (and later) cut alfalfa, develops a higher leaf to stem ratio because of
the slower growth during the cool part of the season. Therefore, third cut
hay will usually have the highest nutritive value. Horses which are not
accustomed to a good, leafy hay may experience flatulent (gaseous) colic or a
loose stool. Mixed hays from all
cuttings will have similar nutritional values except that with a grass/alfalfa
mix, the first cutting will contain a larger proportion of grasses than the other
cuttings. Most hay today is mowed,
conditioned (stems crimped so they will dry faster), and put in a windrow all
in one operation. This results in less manipulation of the hay and less
leaf breakage and loss. The hay dries in the windrow until the moisture
is out of the stem. The level of dryness can be determined by twisting a
handful of the hay. If the stems pop as they break the moisture content
is about right for baling. Scraping the green covering off a stem will also
reveal if the stem is still wet.
Raking or turning the hay in the windrow rolls the hay from the bottom of the
pile to the top. This may be necessary in humid climates, for hay that has
been rained on, or with a field that had an unusually dense stand so is laying
in heavy windrows. Raking will facilitate further drying but may contribute
to leaf loss. It is essential that raking be done when the hay has adequate
moisture, such as with an early dew, which will prevent leaf shatter and loss.
Bale size is dictated, for the most
part, by the bale wagon being used, with the currently popular wagon requiring
a 40 inch long bale which weighs approximately 65 to 70 pounds. The tightness
of the bale can be adjusted. Tight bales handle well, stack well, and shed
weather better. A too-dry bale must be baled tight in order to retain its
leaves but too-wet hay that is baled tight will result in heating and molding.
Once the hay in the windrow is determined
to be at the appropriate moisture level, the hay should be baled with the aid
of the morning dew to help hold the leaves on the stems. This may require
the hay grower to get up at 3 AM and bale for the few hours when baling is optimum.
Baling throughout the heat of the day simply does not result in good quality hay
in most situations. Bales are generally
left in the field for a few days to cure or sweat, particularly if there was adequate
dew on the hay during baling. Often the need to irrigate the next cutting
requires that the bales be gathered. Stacking today is generally done with
bale wagons which result in tight, stable stacks with staggered joints.
A tall stack results in fewer top and bottom bales which are the ones commonly
lost to weathering and ground moisture. Side bales generally do not get
drenched during a rain so dry out adequately. The middle bales are protected.
If the bales contain too much moisture,
they can ferment and create heat. The heat can be great enough to result
in spontaneous combustion causing a stack to catch fire. The internal temperature
of a bale can be checked by simply cutting the strings and passing the hand between
some flakes. Any warmth should be noted as heat makes undesirable changes
in the carbohydrates in the hay. Since the nutritive quality of hay can vary
so greatly, it is best to test hay before a large purchase, especially if it is
to be used for young or lactating horses. Your extension agent will instruct
you on sampling techniques and the test results will reveal crude protein, fiber,
energy, and mineral content. 
Part
1 - Planting Part
2 - Challenges Part 3 - Cuttings Part
4 - Choosing Good Hay Part
5 - Hay Varieties | 
