Choosing the right hay for animals can be tricky. Protein Hays like Lucerne and Vetch offer high protein levels that support animal health. This blog will compare different types of Protein Hays to help you make a better choice for your livestock feed.
Keep reading to find out which hay suits your needs best.
Protein hays come from different plants. Each type has its own feed value for livestock.
Lucerne hay, also known as alfalfa, stands out for its high crude protein levels. Full lucerne hay averages between 18 to 21 percent crude protein. A blend with grass can lower this to around 12 to 16 percent.
Farmers often use lucerne in livestock feed because it has low sugar and good energy content. Hay tests show that a kilogram of lucerne hay offers about 890 grams of dry matter and around 7.6 megajoules of metabolisable energy.
Younger lucerne plants have higher nutritional value and are easier for cattle to digest compared to mature ones. This type of forage supports animal health by adding quality protein into their diets.
Choosing high quality lucerne can make a financial difference; for example, just a two percent change in crude protein can cost up to $68 each day for large herds like dairy cows. Lucerne also fits well within pasture management plans due to its rich nutrients and role in rotation systems.
Vetch hay is another legume-based option with similar properties worth comparing next.
Like lucerne, vetch hay is a legume forage with high crude protein levels and good nutritional value. Many farmers use vetch hay as cattle feed or horse feed because it supports livestock health.
Young vetch plants give higher crude protein than mature ones. A late cut results in lower digestibility and reduced energy content.
Crude protein content in vetch hay usually ranges close to lucerne, often from 18% to 21%. The sugar level stays low to average in quality cuts. “A kilogram of hay gives 890 g of dry matter and 7.6 MJ of metabolisable energy.” Hay analyses help check the dry matter and digestible energy for better pasture management choices.
A small difference such as a 2% change in crude protein can mean big savings or costs for large herds; up to $68.31 daily for a group of 300 cows. Farmers choosing between different hay types rely on this detailed nutritional analysis to get the best balance of fibre, protein content, and cost effectiveness in their animal feed ration plans.
Moving from vetch hay, clover hay stands out as another protein-rich forage option for livestock feed. Clover is a legume like lucerne and vetch. It offers good crude protein content and supports healthy cattle nutrition.
Quality clover hay supplies digestible energy and can help maintain gut health in animals.
Farmers use clover in pasture management to boost soil fertility and provide high-forage quality for livestock. A kilogram of clover hay can have about 890 grams of dry matter with 7.6 MJ metabolisable energy, which suits the needs of mature horses or dairy cattle.
The protein levels vary by crop maturity; younger plants offer more nutritional value because late-cut, mature plants lose some digestibility and energy content. Good supplementation with clover helps optimise animal performance while managing costs related to crude protein intake per cow each day.
Each type of hay gives different levels of protein and energy. These values help farmers pick the best feed for strong and healthy animals.
Crude protein levels vary across different hays. This impacts livestock nutrition and farm costs.
|
Type of Hay |
Average Crude Protein (%) |
Notes |
|
Lucerne (Alfalfa) Hay |
18–21% |
High protein; good for horses and cattle. Low to average sugar content. |
|
50:50 Lucerne Blend |
12–16% |
Mix of Lucerne and grass. Suitable for horses needing less protein. |
|
Vetch Hay |
Similar to Lucerne |
High crude protein. Low to average sugar. Very close in nutrition to Lucerne hay. |
|
Clover Hay |
Varies |
Protein content depends on variety and harvest stage. Typically lower than Lucerne. |
|
Younger Plants |
Higher |
Earlier cut hay has superior nutritional value and higher digestibility. |
|
Mature Plants |
Lower |
Later cut hay loses protein. Digestibility drops as plants age. |
A 2% difference in protein can mean a daily cost change of $68.31 for a 300-cow herd. Good quality hay supports horse health. Protein levels stay important when matching hay to animal needs.
Digestibility and energy content play a big part in how protein hays support livestock health. The table below compares key nutritional values using real data.
|
Type of Hay |
Dry Matter (per kg) |
Metabolisable Energy (MJ/kg) |
Digestibility |
Comments |
|
Lucerne Hay (Alfalfa) |
890 g |
7.6 MJ |
High, depends on plant age |
Young lucerne offers more nutrients. Full lucerne averages 18-21% protein. |
|
Vetch Hay |
880-890 g |
7.5-7.7 MJ |
Very similar to lucerne |
High protein; low to average sugar. Great for cattle and horses. |
|
Clover Hay |
860-880 g |
7.3-7.5 MJ |
Good but varies by cut |
Mature cuts have lower digestibility. Young cuts provide more energy. |
|
Silage |
320 g |
6.0-7.0 MJ |
Lower than hay |
Contains less dry matter per kg. Needs careful feed planning. |
Protein hays give animals the extra nutrients they need to grow and stay strong. These hays support good health in cattle and sheep all year round.
High quality forage with a good crude protein level keeps cattle, horses, and sheep healthy. Lucerne hay offers about 18-21 percent crude protein for livestock feed. A 50 to 50 blend of alfalfa can provide between 12 and 16 percent.
Vetch hay is also rich in nutrition for animal feed.
Younger plants give higher digestibility and better energy content than older plants. Good quality hay supports muscle growth, strong bones, and helps animals gain weight faster. For a herd of 300 cows, even a small change like a two percent difference in crude protein can mean £68.31 saved each day on feed costs.
Hay analyses help graziers check dry matter and metabolisable energy so they pick the best type for their stock’s needs.
Lucerne hay, vetch hay and clover hay help keep the animal’s gut healthy. These protein hays give plenty of fibre which supports good digestion in cattle feed and horse diets. Good quality forage creates a steady flow of nutrients through the gut.
This helps livestock avoid stomach upset and keeps their manure firm.
Younger plants offer better nutritional value than mature ones because their fibre is easier to digest. “A kilogram of hay gives 890 grams of dry matter and 7.6 MJ of metabolisable energy,” so animals can break it down well and use more energy from each feed.
Lower sugar levels in these legume hays also protect the gut by stopping too much fermentation that can lead to gas or colic.
Understanding crude protein, digestibility, and energy content will help you choose the best type for your livestock needs; now see how they support all-round health and performance next.
Choosing the right protein hay can make a big difference for your livestock. Each type, like alfalfa, vetch, or clover, offers unique nutrition. Higher protein and digestibility support better health and performance in animals.
Good pasture management helps you get the most from each cut of hay. Pick the best option based on your herd’s needs and watch them thrive.
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