Is year old hay good?

If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.

Does hay go bad after a year?

Hay is a natural product that doesn't expire in the traditional sense of the term. When stored in the proper conditions, hay will retain its nutritional value for many months. Hay is required to feature a “freshest by” date that you will typically find on the back side of your hay packaging.

Can I feed last year's hay?

Check the smell and look for obvious signs of mold. Generally, hay that is two to three years old is still acceptable given the right storage conditions. So before you go tossing last year's hay, give it a check over and feel confident feeding it if everything looks good.

Does age affect hay quality?

Storage condition and age have a significant effect on vitamin content of hays. Many vitamins, such as vitamins A and E, are not stable over time and lose biological activity. After approximately six months, almost all vitamin A and E activity levels are lost.

Does year old hay have nutritional value?

The longer it stays in a barn, the more nutrition it loses. In fact, after just a few months, the losses will start, and within a year it could lose 5% of its value. This includes protein, fiber, vitamins, sugars, and minerals. From there, hay does not lose nutrition that much.

Is 2-year-old hay stored outside any good for livestock?

How long before hay goes bad?

Hay can be stored indefinitely as long as it is kept in proper conditions. However, in areas where moisture is present (most of the country), hay is best if used within three years.

How quickly does hay lose its nutritional value?

Long-term hay storage will result in some nutritional losses. Most will occur in the first couple of months with overall dry matter losses up to about 5% in the first year.

What is poor quality hay?

Poor-quality hay may be damp and moldy with a musty or fermented smell. Hay that appears weathered, straw-like, or brown is likely low in nutritional value. If hay has been cut late in maturity, seed heads will be apparent in grass hay and blooms will be evident in alfalfa hay.

How can you tell if hay is good or bad?

What is considered good quality hay?

Horse hay should be bright green, leafy and fine textured, with a fresh, pleasant aroma. Musty hay or other indications of mold or heating, and dust, weeds and other foreign material in hay can be unhealthy for an animal. Color is an indicator of quality and nutrient content; good hay is a bright green.

Can cows eat year old hay?

Depending on quality, year old hay may not be suitable to include in lactating cow or newly weaned calf rations. To come up with a fair price when buying year old hay: weigh the bales – do not use average weights from last fall. take a representative sample and test the feed – does the quality meet your needs.

Can you wait too long to cut hay?

What many producers fail to realize is that cutting their hay too late, by only a week or so, can have a great effect on quality. By waiting to cut to get a few more bales, they risk a big reduction in the protein and nutrient levels in the hay.

Can you overfeed hay?

Providing hay or other feeds to our friendly companions daily is very important. But it's easy to go overboard when feeding them with the wrong hard feeds or hay that is too high in sugar or protein. Overfeeding leads to problems like obesity, laminitis, and colic.

Can hay get wet and still be good?

If rained-on hay is not again dried fully, mold and mycotoxin growth can occur which can put livestock health at risk. Furthermore, baled wet hay can combust due to the temperature increase caused by microbial growth - putting a producer at risk of barn fire.

How long is timothy hay good?

If stored properly in a cool dark place with good ventilation, the Timothy Hay Food may keep for 6 months or longer.

Does older hay have less sugar?

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Is 10 year old hay still good?

If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.

Will old hay hurt a horse?

Many horses can develop permanent lung damage after consuming moldy or dusty hay. Heaves is a common respiratory problem that occurs when a horse consumes moldy or dusty hay. Mold can also cause digestive upsets in the horse.

Do bales of hay rot?

Dustiness in hay without the visual presence of mold is usually a result from fungi growing in the windrow." One thing known to many farmers is that bales of hay have a tendency to emit heat as the plant begins to break down and bacteria gets to work.

What does bad timothy hay look like?

Signs of bad hay:

Brown and brittle. Visible mold. A bun who turns their nose up at their favorite cutting.

Is Timothy hay quality?

High quality Timothy Grass contains a moderate amount of protein, usually testing at approximately 8% protein. It has a consistent and balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus and Timothy Grass has a low to moderate calorie content. Timothy Grass is also a rich source of fiber.

What hay is not good for horses?

Sorghum, Sudan, and Johnson grass hay. We do not recommend feeding your horses sorghum or sudangrass hay. This type of hay can have elevated nitrate levels and can be especially dangerous to horses if it is highly fertilized with poultry litter or conventional fertilizer.

Is 2 year old hay good for cows?

Beyond that time frame, further losses of dry matter, protein and energy are negligible, so hay that is 12 to 24 months old will have nearly the same protein and energy value as hay that is six to eight months old.

Can animals eat old hay?

Moldy or spoiled feed can present a health risk for a multitude of species, said Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist. “Hay can be unfit for livestock due to excessive moisture while baling or exposure to the elements, such as excessive rain or flooding.

Which cut of hay is most nutritious?

Legume hays (alfalfa) are richer in nutrients and energy while grass hays are high in fibre for a healthy digestive tract. Therefore, if choosing between the two, alfalfa hays are preferred for those who require more energy.