6 Types of Grass Used for Hay
Hay consists of various grasses and sometimes other plants, dried for livestock feed and other uses. These grasses are either dried in the field where animals graze or are cut when dry. Afterward, they’re collected, formed into bales, and stored in a dry area.
Selecting the ideal hay variety for your animals’ feed program can be challenging, given the numerous options available. Understanding the distinct types of grass is key to ensuring you’re confident in providing the best diet for your animals. A deeper knowledge of these varieties will help you make informed choices for their nutritional needs.
Types of Hay Grass
Some of the best types of grass used for hay are described below:
- Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a perennial legume, notable for its height of two to three feet and deep root structure. It is a leading hay crop in many regions due to its high yield and quality.
Alfalfa is a globally cultivated forage plant, primarily harvested as hay for cattle. It is known for its nutritional quality as it is rich in protein and digestible fiber. Alfalfa is an ideal feed for dairy cows, beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and meat rabbits.
- Benefits
Alfalfa hay is a highly nutritious legume, rich in protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals like calcium. It’s an excellent feed choice for livestock requiring a nutrient-rich diet. This includes pregnant or lactating mares, competition or working horses, and sometimes young foals. Its nutrient density makes it an ideal addition to these animals’ feed programs. Despite its benefits, fresh alfalfa can cause bloating in livestock, necessitating careful grazing management.
- Bermuda
Bermuda grass is a perennial type that forms a dense sod, effectively holding soil. While primarily a pasture grass, certain types can grow tall enough for hay baling. Bermuda grass pairs well with legumes and exhibits strong drought resistance. It responds favorably to nitrogen fertilization, producing significant dry matter for grazing or hay, especially when soil moisture is sufficient.
- Benefits
Bermuda hay, unlike alfalfa hay, contains lower protein levels but higher fiber content. This makes it an ideal choice for promoting healthy digestion in animals, especially those that are less active or prone to being overweight.
In general, grass hay, including Bermuda hay, is commonly used to complement animal diets. This not only ensures they receive essential nutrients but also helps them feel satiated and maintain healthy digestion.
- Timothy
Timothy grass is one of the oldest and most cultivated types of grass. It is a perennial plant that grows in cool, moist climates. It typically grows in bunches that reach a height of 20 to 40 inches. This grass is primarily used for hay, especially for horses.
- Benefits
The benefits of Timothy grass are numerous and have a broad appeal. Timothy hay offers good to excellent forage value for all classes of livestock, as well as for deer and elk. However, it’s worth noting that it is intolerant of heavy, season-long grazing.
Nevertheless, it remains a fairly good choice for hay and irrigated pasture, particularly for horses and other species of domestic livestock. It is very nutritious for sheep and other grazing animals. It is a staple in the diets of guinea pigs, rabbits, and various other domesticated pets.
- Rye
Ryegrass is a fast-growing annual plant that typically reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet. It has numerous long, narrow leaves, which are stiff and concentrated near the base of the plant. These leaves have a bright and smooth texture on their undersides. The stems are nearly bare, and their seed heads are composed of spikes with spikelets that grow along the edges of the seed head stem.
- Benefits
Perennial ryegrass is a highly valuable plant, serving multiple purposes such as forage and soil stabilization. It holds a dominant position as a forage grass in Europe and is widely utilized in the United States.
This versatile grass finds applications in sheep, dairy, and beef production, both as pasture and for hay. It is often blended with other plants like alfalfa, clovers, and additional grasses. What sets perennial ryegrass apart is its outstanding forage quality, ranking as the top choice among cool-season grasses.
- Orchardgrass
Orchard grass is a hardy, long-lasting perennial grass known for its adaptability. It can thrive in shady areas and various soil types. While it appreciates moisture, it typically forms dense bunches that grow between 2 to 4 feet in height. This versatile grass is valuable for both hay and pasture purposes.
- Benefits
Orchardgrass is classified as a cool-season grass, which makes it suitable for a range of applications in farming. Most farmers prefer orchard grass due to its well-balanced nutritional profile and high palatability. Leafy, soft to the touch, and vibrant blue-green is considered to be of good quality.
- Smooth Bromegrass
Brome grass is a robust perennial grass that typically reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet. It’s known for its ability to create dense sod, making it an excellent choice for regions like the Corn Belt and Pacific Northwest. This versatile grass serves various purposes, including pasture and hay production, as well as erosion control. Notably, it can thrive in both extreme temperatures and drought conditions.
- Benefits
Smooth bromegrass, commonly referred to as brome, stands out as a top choice for livestock and horses’ hay. Its remarkable attributes include a robust relative feed value (RFV) ranging from 90 to 100, exceptional palatability, sufficient protein content, and a rich array of essential minerals.
Horses relish the flavor of brome, and its outstanding digestibility makes it an ideal foundation or supplement in any feeding regimen. Additionally, numerous individuals prefer brome as their primary feed choice for goats and sheep.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the variations of grass and hay available. Each grass type used for hay has different benefits therefore, you should first understand the type properly to make sure that your animals get the best feed. Feeding grass and hay are directly related to the health and life of your animals.
