There are three main types of hay for your livestock: legume hay, grass hay, and mixed hay. Choosing the right type is essential to ensure your animals get the nutrition they need to stay healthy, active, and productive.
Each type offers unique nutrients, so it's essential to match the hay to your livestock's species, age, and life stage. Another factor farmers should not overlook is the quality of the hay. Fresh, clean, and well-preserved hay is the foundation of good nutrition and keeping your livestock healthy.
When it comes to feeding your livestock, not all hay is the same. Understanding the differences between grass, legume, and mixed hay helps you choose the proper feed for every animal's needs.
Grass hays like timothy, orchardgrass, and bermudagrass are high in fiber and lower in protein. They're ideal for animals that need a balanced, lower-calorie diet, such as horses, sheep, and maintenance cattle.
Legume hays such as alfalfa and clover are rich in protein, calcium, and energy. They're perfect for growing animals, lactating cows, dairy goats, and breeding livestock that need a nutritional boost.
Mixed hays combine both grass and legume varieties, offering a balance of fiber and protein. They're great for multi-species farms or animals with moderate energy needs, providing variety and balanced nutrition in every bite.
Here are the most common types of hay for livestock to consider:
Alfalfa hay is rich in protein, calcium, and energy, making it an excellent choice for growing livestock, lactating cows, and high-producing dairy goats. Its dense nutrient profile supports rapid growth, milk production, and overall animal health. Properly cured alfalfa is soft and palatable, encouraging better feed intake.
Clover hay provides a soft texture and excellent digestibility. It contains high protein and moderate fiber, making it suitable for horses, sheep, and goats. Clover hay is often mixed with grass hays to improve palatability while maintaining nutritional balance.
Timothy hay is a grass hay with moderate protein and high fiber, ideal for maintaining horses, older livestock, and animals on maintenance diets. Its fibrous structure supports healthy digestion and helps prevent obesity in animals that require lower-calorie feed.
Orchard grass is leafy, soft, and highly palatable. It provides moderate protein and energy levels, making it a versatile choice for horses, cattle, and small ruminants. Its slow growth and high digestibility make it a preferred hay for animals with sensitive digestive systems.
Bermuda grass thrives in warm climates and produces hay with moderate fiber and energy. It is well-suited for cattle and horses in southern regions and provides a reliable forage source during hot seasons. When harvested at the proper maturity, it balances digestibility with yield.
Fescue, brome, oat, and ryegrass hays are used as forage for livestock and offer varied fiber, protein, and energy levels depending on the species and local conditions. They are suitable for cattle, horses, and sheep, providing flexible feeding options based on regional availability and livestock requirements.
Mixed hay combines grass and legume varieties, offering a balance of fiber, protein, and energy. It is cost-effective and ideal for multi-species farms or animals with moderate nutritional requirements, giving livestock a diverse and balanced diet in every bite.
Different hay types offer varying levels of protein, fiber, calcium, and energy. Understanding these differences helps farmers select the right hay to meet their livestock's specific nutritional needs.
Not all animals have the exact nutritional requirements, which is why matching hay type to species, life stage, and activity level is crucial.
Cattle benefit from alfalfa, clover, bermuda, and fescue hays. These provide a balance of protein and energy needed for growth and milk production. High-quality legume hay is essential for lactating dairy cows, while grass hays are suitable for maintenance and long-term feeding.
Horses thrive on timothy, orchard grass, and mixed hay. Focus on soft, leafy hay that is free from dust and mold, as poor-quality hay can cause respiratory issues or digestive problems. Balanced fiber content is essential to maintain healthy digestion and prevent obesity.
Sheep and goats do well on moderate-protein grass hays, which support growth and milk production without overloading them with excessive energy or calcium. Mixing small amounts of legume hay can be beneficial, but it should be introduced gradually.
For rabbits, grass hay is preferred, as legumes like alfalfa can lead to bloat and digestive upset if fed excessively. Providing unlimited high-quality grass hay is key to dental health and proper digestion.
Animals that are young, pregnant, or lactating have higher protein, energy, and calcium needs. Legume hays like alfalfa or high-quality mixed hays are recommended to support growth, fetal development, and milk production. Constantly monitor intake and adjust based on body condition.
Buying hay isn't just picking up a bale; it's about ensuring your livestock gets high-quality, nutritious feed that supports their health and productivity. Here's how to approach it like a pro:
FarmKeep helps small farmers and homesteaders stay organized, save money, and make smarter feeding decisions with easy-to-use tracking tools.
With FarmKeep, you can:
The best type of hay for your livestock depends on the animal species, age, and life stage. Legume hay is high in protein, grass hay is high in fiber, and mixed hay offers a balanced option.
Neither is better than the other. Grass hay is ideal for maintenance and digestion, while legume hay supports growth, lactation, and higher nutritional needs.
Mixed hay is one of the types of hay that combines grass and legume varieties. It is used to create a more balanced nutritional profile.
To get good-quality hay, you must look for a bright green color, soft leaves, and a pleasant smell. Make sure there is minimal dust and there is no mold or foreign material.
Hay should be properly dried and stored; hay can last 6–12 months, depending on storage conditions.
Typically, livestock eat 2–4% of their body weight in hay per day, adjusted by species, age, and activity.
Yes, you can combine grass and legume hay to balance protein and fiber for the overall nutrition of your animals.
Common signs are a musty smell, black or white spots, a dusty texture, or clumped moisture, which indicate spoilage.
No, you must not feed wet hay to your animals. Wet hay contains mold, which can cause respiratory and digestive problems and potentially fatal diseases like botulism, and in some cases, it is also a fire hazard.
