Hay Testing Is it worth it?
We all breath a sigh of relief when the hay is all off the fields, whether its neatly stacked round bales under cover in the shed or traditional small bales piled high in the mow above the stable. Regardless of the format the questions are the same. Number one, do we have enough hay for the long winter and just as important, what quality of hay do we have.
The first question requires some basic math skills. How many bales did we put up and what is average weight per bale. The weight per bale depends on the format of the bales.ie. small bales round bales or large square bales. Generally, the grassier the hay the less weight per square foot. Hopefully your hay contractor can give you an estimated weight per bale.
Once you have an average weight per bale and the number of bales stored its easy math to determine whether you will be in the market for more hay sometime during the winter. Your horses are going to eat 1 ½ to 2 % of their bodyweight in hay dry matter each day. For an 1100-pound horse that’s roughly 18-25 pounds of actual hay. As we all know some horses will stand at the round bale feeder all day and consume more than needed. It’s best to overestimate your needs than be left short of hay in March.
The second question which is just as important is what quality of hay do we have. There are several factors that effect the quality of the hay but first, “what do we mean by the quality of the hay?” I like this description of quality in hay. “It’s the ability of the hay to provide the basic nutrient requirements of your horse daily including energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins as well as contribute to a healthy digestive system.”
A hay test will provide a lot of information that will tell you what to expect nutritionally and identify any concerns that will require adjustments to the ration.
Protein
The first nutrient often referred to on a hay test is the protein percentage. Protein is largely a factor of the species grown. Legumes like alfalfa will have a higher protein level than grasses like timothy or brome. In fact, horses do not require a very high protein level. Exceptions apply for growing horses and broodmares but reasonably good hay in the 10-12% protein range is quite adequate. In some years we have seen protein content as low as 6% which can be a concern.
Minerals
The mineral content of the hay depends on the species grown, the soil type and the nutrient level in the soil. It is important to get a value for trace minerals like copper, zinc, and manganese as well as the “macro” minerals calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. This will help determine the need for a balancer pellet to ensure an adequate intake and a proper balance of minerals.
Fibre levels and energy
The fibre values are mainly a factor of the maturity of the hay when cut. The later the cut the higher the fibre content and the less digestible the hay. The energy level measured in Mega calories/kg or lb. is a measure of the calorie density of the hay and its ability to support the maintenance and exercise regimen of your horse(s). Rather than being a direct analysis the energy level is a calculation derived from several analyzed values including fibre, fat, NSC. and protein. The energy level can vary greatly and directly influences weight maintenance and the need for additional energy from more concentrated sources.
To illustrate the effect of energy variation the following charts compare two hay samples. Sample 2 (below average hay) has a lower digestible energy (calorie) content because of a significantly higher (NDF) fibre level compared to sample 1 (good quality hay). This higher fibre content can also result in less palatable hay and more waste resulting in lower feed intake. (Chart 1)
The significance of the lower energy level in the below average hay and the reduced intake is reflected in Chart 2 illustrating weight maintenance.
Good quality hay with a moderate energy concentrate provides enough energy (calories) to support an active horse and maintain a healthy weight. Without increasing the concentrate, the same horse will lose weight every day on the below average hay. In this case the horse could lose 60 pounds or more over the winter.
The topic of NSC. (sugar & Starch levels) requires an entire article on its own. We suggest you refer to our web site for an informative article on our approach to the topic of NSC. To provide some informed guidance to our clients and staff, Brooks has segmented our feed products into five categories ranging from very low NSC formulas like Fibrelite to “Optimized” formulas like Phase III, Pacemaker, and 12%/14% Sweet Feeds. A Brooks nutrition advisor can provide the expertise needed to find the right formula for your horse.
A hay analysis is like a story written in code. There is important information provided that is of vital importance to your horse’s diet. However, to best utilize the information the experience and knowledge of a skilled nutrition advisor is recommended. To arrange a hay test or for help analyzing the results visit our web site or call our nutrition help line 1-877-352-8236.