Aside from color, probably the most important criterion when selecting legume hays is leaf-to-stem ratio. It has a deep taproot system that penetrates the subsoil, produces a large amount of growth that can be quickly broken down and converted to organic matter and fixes high levels of nitrogen on heavy clay soils. Introduction of a legume also improves the quality by increasing energy, protein, and calcium. “I also look at stem coarseness, as this tells me the stage of maturity of the plants when they were harvested. Evaluating hay requires a thorough visual appraisal. The stems are green or reddish green and pubescent; they have a tendency to sprawl. As far as physical characteristics, Crandell assesses color to determine how the hay was harvested. Re: yellow hop clover seed. They mistakenly believe that it is the clover plant that causes horses to slobber, but the causative agent is actually a mycotoxin produced by a fungus that grows on clover. These hays are made from leaves, stems, and grains of oat, barley, and wheat plants. A cool season grass should also be seeded with it. It exceeds alfalfa in its ability to withstand drought and high temperatures. If it is bright green, then I know the hay was likely cut at an appropriate time, that it was probably not rained on after cutting, and that it dried quickly and was baled in a timely manner. Top. As hay, it would be harvested in the spring and summer so palatability might not be an issue for certain horses. The stem contains few nutrients and a great deal of indigestible fiber. Usually both yellow and white are used by beekeepers because yellow may bloom as much as two weeks before white, and a combination of the two extends the flowering season. Sweet clover is a fine source of nectar and pollen for honey bees. She then estimates plant maturity. Sign up for free now! “Maturity is judged by the number and age of the seed heads, ratio of leaves and stalks, color, and texture. “Fescue blades roll up lengthwise when dried, while orchardgrass blades dry open, so it is very easy to distinguish these two plants. For some horse owners, the gold standard among grass hays is timothy due largely to its extreme palatability. This can reduce its total lifetime production by as much as 30 percent. Mixing grasses with a legume has two notable benefits. Cereal hays should be light green in color; a yellow, straw-like color would indicate that the hay was harvested too late and will be of lower nutritional value. Though Crandell agrees that timothy is appetizing to most horses, she also believes “the most palatable hay to a horse is the type he is accustomed to.” Horses raised on orchardgrass have no problem eating it, but when given to a horse raised on timothy it may take a while for it to acquire a taste for it. It is frequently used as a component of drylands pasture mixes. Hop clover (Trifolium campestre) is generally an annual, sometimes a biennial, 5 cm to 30 cm (~1.97 to 11.8 in) tall, is erect with ascending branches that can be either hairless or hairy. It is also quite tolerant of wet conditions. Sweet clover is unexcelled as a legume used to improve nitrogen levels, especially at the end of the first growing season. Animal performance is equal to that of alfalfa, and for a short period its carrying capacity is greater. Rapid growth and easy establishment make a popular choice for reclamation seedings. Usually the second season spring growth is exceptionally heavy, and stocking rates need to be high so that new shoots are initiated and blooming is delayed. Your rating *Rate…PerfectGoodAverageNot that badVery Poor, © 2020 Great Basin Seeds. Because the outside of a bale can be misleading, especially if it was situated on the edge of a stack with exposure to the sun or other elements, appraisal necessitates breaking open several bales. “I have seen lovely bales of the classic timothy/alfalfa mix. Oat hay is the most common cereal hay fed in the United States, and if harvested at the right time, it is quite palatable to horses. Post by … A practical advantage occurs as well: when grasses and legumes are grown together it is more difficult for horses to pick out the tasty portions, as they could if fed a flake of legume and a flake of grass. Sign up today to get the latest news, updates, and information from Kentucky Equine Research. If, on the other hand, the occasional stem is brown but the leaves are green and well-anchored to the stem, then the hay is probably still nutritious. MikeC Honcho Posts: 7636 Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:32 pm Location: Alabama. Small mammals eat the seed and use the plants for cover and nesting. Pure legumes are rarely roundbaled, but if faced with tightly wound round bales that cannot be opened, an instrument designed to remove core samples from the inside of hay bales, called a hay probe, can be used. With alfalfa, Crandell recommends a thorough scan of multiple bales for blister beetles. What can I do to avoid these problems? One reason horse owners often avoid clover is its propensity for mold. The red clover tends to sweeten up the orchardgrass enough for horses to really want to dive in,” Crandell said. In general, cool-season grasses are more palatable to horses, but warm-season grasses are accepted by horses, especially by those accustomed to them. The variety Madrid is especially tolerant of dry conditions. Where can I find yellow hop clover seed, or maybe even black medic seed? An overall brownish tinge could mean the hay was baled too wet and went through a caramelizing stage. Mainly used in a pasture crop because of low production. Understanding the ins and outs of hay selection is an important aspect of horse ownership. The stems and leaves can make up a large portion of the diet of elk, deer and antelope. Early-maturity hays are softer to the touch than late-maturity ones.” As with legumes, Crandell checks for dust and unusual odor indicative of mold. As a pasture grass, horses seem to consume more of it in the fall after a frost has hit and the sugar content has risen. Heads measure average 1 to 2 cm long, densely packed with tiny yellow pea-shaped flowers that turn a creamy colour then light brown before going to seed. Producer Question from 2015 Q: I have a lot of sweet clover in my hay fields and pastures this year. Aside from pasture, hay is the predominant forage consumed by horses, so its value in equine diets is unquestionable. Warm-season grasses include Bermuda grass (referred to as coastal), bromegrass, and most recently teff. Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis) may be used for hay or pasture or as a plow-down crop. The color is somewhat dependent on the type of hay. "The government that governs the least governs the best" - THOMAS JEFFERSON. Crimson clover is another tall-growing type but tends to be higher in indigestible fiber than red clover. From a nutritional standpoint, clovers and alfalfa are very similar: higher in calcium and protein, and more calorie-dense than grass hays. Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Of mold, unusual growths on leaves, insects, and these hays sometimes have an abundance stems... Not particularly like to eat them, ” yellow hop clover hay said food and cover to a of... Than most other legumes or moldy the number and age of the following summer a very stage. Types yellow hop clover hay as leaves deliver the most nutrients are preserved. ” sweetness and consumption deal of indigestible fiber two. 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