Can I feed last years hay?

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.

Can you feed year old hay to horses?

Before you throw away hay that's a year or two old, do some research. It might actually be completely fine to feed to your horse. You'll have to thoroughly check it over, but it's not as bad as you might think. Surprisingly, old hay can hold onto its value fairly well if stored correctly.

Can you feed old hay to cows?

Here are the risks of feeding moldy hay to livestock:

2. Cattle aren't as sensitive to moldy hay, but certain molds can result in mycotic abortions or aspergillosis. 3. Moldy hay also puts ranchers at risk.

Does hay lose its nutritional value over time?

A: Hay begins to lose its nutritional value at the time of cutting and continues to lose nutrients both while drying in the field and while in storage. The nutrients most affected by harvesting and storing are vitamins. Conversely, the protein and mineral content of hay is quite stable.

Can old hay make horses sick?

Moldy hay can kill a horse. It's a cause of colic that can be fatal, and some types of mold are toxic to horses. And inhaled mold spores enter horses' respiratory systems when they eat, causing heaves or other chronic respiratory diseases.

Should You Buy Last Year's Hay?

Can horses eat 2 year old hay?

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.

Is year old hay good?

Overall forage digestibility in a round bale is reduced by 10 per cent. If the hay is kept over for a second year, additional weight loss occurs and digestibility is reduced even further. In some situations, this older hay could be no better than feeding cereal straw.”

Does old hay have any nutritional value?

One concern about storing hay for a long time is its 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.

What can you use old hay for?

Spoiled hay has the added benefit of breaking down slowly over the summer and adding organic matter to the soil. It can also be used for winter mulch to cover tender plants and protect them from the effects of cold winds or freezing temperatures.

How long does hay stay good for?

If stored correctly, hay will stay good for about 12 months after harvest before losing any of its fresh taste or smell.

How long is hay good for cows?

Silage is the answer to this problem as it can be stored at 30 percent moisture content. The length of time you can store silage is much longer than other feed stuff for cattle. Properly stored silage can be kept for around 4 or 5 years.

Can cows live on just hay?

Hay is the most commonly used winter feed for beef cattle, but it's also the most expensive. Each cow requires a daily intake of 40 pounds of round-baled hay, which amounts to $1.61 if pricing hay at $80 per ton.

Does hay get stale?

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.

How can you tell if hay is fresh?

Signs that your horse hay may be bad include a lack of color or dried-out appearance, a moldy smell, excessive dust, visible mold, or excessive heat towards the center of the hay bale. Because hay provides your horse with so many essential nutrients, you must provide your horse with the best quality hay available.

How do you know if hay is good for horses?

Good quality hay should be bright green in color with little fading. A bleached, yellow, brown or black color may indicate aged hay, mold or poor storage conditions. Storage condition and age have a significant effect on vitamin content of hays.

Is it OK to feed cows moldy hay?

Risks of Feeding Moldy Hay

Consuming moldy hay can lead to respiratory and digestive problems such as heaves and colic. Cattle and other ruminants aren't as sensitive to moldy hay. However, moldy hay can still cause issues such as aspergillosis and mycotic abortions in cattle.

What can I do with old moldy hay?

If your moldy hay is still wrapped in its wire or plastic netting, consider using this bale as a planter. It would be best to use transplants and that your hay bale is composting. Place your moldy bale where you'd like and remove hay from the spots where you'll be planting your transplants.

What can I do with old wet hay bales?

Use the straw in your garden as mulch. Use it to plant potatoes. Use it to make compost, especially if you have chickens. In fact, use it as chicken bedding or other animal bedding.

How long can timothy hay last?

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

Can you feed cows hay year round?

The number of days per year that your cattle will be fed hay depends on your climate and the quality of graze available. If you have ample space, quality grass and a long growing season, your cattle may need hay only during winter months, while livestock on dry lots or in colder climates may need hay year-round.

Can horses eat green hay?

While alfalfa is considered an ideal hay, horses can also eat timothy, clover and tall fescue hays as well as mixtures of these hays. No matter what the variety of hay they eat, hay that retains its green color is preferable to yellow hay, and clean hay is a priority.

Can you feed dusty hay to horses?

Do not feed dusty and moldy hay and grains. Keep horses outside as much as possible. Place feed at a lower level so particles are not inhaled through the nostrils. Feed hay outside to minimize dust problems.

Is 3rd cutting hay OK for horses?

Hay of the third cutting is thick, green, and very nutritious, containing more legumes and high protein and fat content. It is also leafy and soft, so the horses will find it appealing.

Will moldy hay hurt a horse?

Quick facts. Don't feed moldy hay to horses. Most moldy hay problems are from mold spores, which can produce respiratory disease in horses. Many of the common mold toxins develop in the field during a delayed harvest.