Canary Hay

Canary hay is made from canary grass, a cool-season perennial grass that is cut and baled for use as a livestock feed. The most common species used for hay production in Australia is phalaris (Phalaris aquatica), which is also known as canary grass or phalaris grass.

It is grown primarily in southern Australia, particularly in higher-rainfall areas of Victoria, South Australia, and southern NSW. Canary hay is a niche product compared to the main cereal hays, and it is not as widely listed or traded as oaten hay or lucerne, but it has a dedicated buyer base, particularly among horse owners looking for a low-sugar, palatable grass hay.

Browse hay and fodder listings on LocalAg to see current availability. If you cannot find canary hay listed near you, post a free Wanted Ad and our team will look for a verified supplier.

Yes, they refer to the same product. Canary hay is made from phalaris grass (Phalaris aquatica), which is commonly called canary grass in Australia. The hay made from it is sold under both names depending on the region and the seller, so if you see phalaris hay listed you are looking at the same feed.

The name canary grass comes from the plant's close relationship with the species used to produce birdseed (Phalaris canariensis), though the variety grown for livestock pasture and hay in Australia is a different, larger perennial species suited to southern Australian conditions.

When searching for this hay, it is worth using both terms. Listings on LocalAg may appear under either name depending on how the seller describes their product. If you cannot find it under one name, try the other, or post a Wanted Ad specifying canary hay or phalaris hay so sellers know exactly what you are after.

Yes, canary hay can be a good option for horses, and it has a following among horse owners in southern Australia for a few specific reasons.

It is a palatable, soft grass hay that most horses eat readily. It is lower in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) than some other grass hays, which makes it a useful option for horses that need reduced sugar and starch intake, though it is not as low in NSC as teff hay, which is the go-to hay for horses with laminitis or insulin resistance.

Canary hay is moderate in protein and energy, which suits horses in light to moderate work well. It is not a high-performance feed on its own, but it provides good roughage and keeps most horses content.

The main thing to be aware of when feeding canary hay to horses is the phalaris alkaloid issue. The phalaris plant contains alkaloids that in large quantities, or in certain conditions, can affect the nervous system of livestock. In hay form the risk is much lower than in fresh pasture, but if you are feeding large volumes over an extended period it is worth discussing with your vet or an equine nutritionist, particularly if your horses have any pre-existing health sensitivities.

Both are grass hays suited to horses, and in many respects they are comparable feeds. Here is how they sit against each other.

Palatability: Both are generally well accepted by horses. Oaten hay has a long track record as Australia's most popular horse hay and most horses take to it readily. Canary hay is also palatable but is less widely fed, so some horses that have not encountered it before may take a little time to adjust.

Protein and energy: Both sit in a moderate range for a grass hay. Oaten hay tends to be slightly higher in energy, which can be an advantage for horses in harder work and a consideration for horses prone to weight gain.

NSC content: Canary hay is generally considered to have a lower sugar and starch content than oaten hay, which makes it a more suitable option for horses with mild metabolic sensitivities. For horses with diagnosed laminitis or insulin resistance, teff hay remains the recommended choice as it has the lowest NSC of the commonly available Australian horse hays.

Availability: Oaten hay is produced at significant scale across southern and western Australia and is consistently available through most of the year. Canary hay is a more regional and seasonal product. If supply matters for your operation, oaten hay is the easier one to source reliably.

Yes, cattle can eat canary hay and it is a reasonable feed option, though it is not widely used for cattle compared to the main cereal and tropical hays.

In terms of nutritional value, canary hay provides moderate energy and protein, which makes it adequate for maintenance feeding of cattle in reasonable condition. It is not a high-protein feed and would not be the first choice for cattle with elevated requirements such as weaners, cows pre-calving, or animals being joined.

One consideration with phalaris-based hays for cattle is phalaris staggers, a nervous system condition caused by alkaloids in the phalaris plant. This condition is primarily associated with grazing fresh phalaris pasture at certain times of year, particularly after rain following a dry period. The risk from hay is considerably lower because the curing process reduces alkaloid levels, but it is worth being aware of if you are feeding large volumes over an extended period.

For cattle requiring a high-energy or high-protein feed, lucerne, vetch hay, or the main cereal hays like oaten and wheaten hay are typically more available and better suited.

Canary hay production is concentrated in the cooler, higher-rainfall regions of southern Australia where phalaris grows well as a perennial pasture grass.

Victoria is the main producing state, particularly in the Western District, Gippsland, and parts of the central highlands where phalaris is a common permanent pasture species.

South Australia produces canary hay in the south-east and Adelaide Hills regions where rainfall is sufficient to support phalaris pastures.

Southern NSW has some production in higher-rainfall areas of the tablelands and slopes, though volumes are smaller than Victoria and SA.

Tasmania has suitable conditions for phalaris but canary hay production there is limited and mostly consumed locally.

Because phalaris is a perennial grass rather than an annual crop like wheat or oats, canary hay production is less predictable in volume and timing than the main cereal hays. Availability depends on seasonal conditions and whether producers have chosen to cut and bale their phalaris pastures rather than graze them.

If you are in a region where canary hay is not locally produced, freight from Victoria is often the most practical option. Browse hay and fodder listings and use the location filter to find the closest available supply, or post a Wanted Ad and let our team find a supplier who can deliver to you.

Canary hay sits in the moderate range for a perennial grass hay. Typical values on a dry matter basis:

1. Crude Protein (CP): 8 to 14%, depending on when it was cut, how well the pasture was managed, and seasonal conditions. Earlier cuts from actively growing phalaris tend to be higher in protein.
2. Metabolisable Energy (ME): around 8 to 10 MJ/kg DM, which is in a similar range to cereal hays like oaten and wheaten hay.
3. NSC (non-structural carbohydrates): generally considered lower than most cereal hays, which is one reason it appeals to horse owners managing animals with metabolic sensitivities.
4. Fibre (ADF/NDF): moderate to high, consistent with a perennial grass hay.

Canary hay falls well short of the legume hays on protein. Lucerne at 18 to 25% CP and vetch hay at 16 to 22% CP are in a different category when protein is the primary requirement.

As with any hay, nutritional values vary between loads and seasons. Always ask for a Feed Central NIR feed test result before buying a large volume. If you want to arrange independent testing, visit our Testing service.

Canary hay is a niche product and availability can be patchy depending on the season and your location. The best starting point is to browse hay and fodder listings on LocalAg and use the location filter to find sellers within a practical freight distance from your property.

Because canary hay is produced mainly in Victoria and parts of South Australia, buyers in other states may need to consider interstate freight. Every LocalAg listing includes an indicative delivered price so you can see the true cost before making contact with a seller.

If there are no canary hay listings available right now, post a free Wanted Ad. Describe what you need including quantity, bale type, and any specific requirements such as testing results. Our team and verified seller network will come back to you with options. During periods of short supply we regularly connect buyers with producers who are not actively listing but are willing to sell to the right buyer.