Pasture Hay

Pasture hay is made by cutting and baling an established pasture rather than a purpose-grown crop. The pasture is typically a mix of grasses and sometimes legumes that have been grown for grazing, but are cut at the right time of year to produce hay instead of, or in addition to, being grazed.

Because pasture hay comes from mixed stands rather than single-species crops, the composition and quality varies more than purpose-grown cereal or legume hays. What is in the bale depends on what was growing in that paddock - it might be a mix of perennial ryegrass and clover in southern Victoria, a subtropical grass blend in Queensland, or a combination of native and introduced species on a dryland property in NSW.

It is one of the most widely produced hay types in Australia because almost any farming or grazing property with established pasture can make it without the input costs of a dedicated crop. This makes it generally one of the more affordable hay options on the market.

Browse hay and fodder listings on LocalAg to see what is currently available near you. If you cannot find pasture hay listed in your area, post a free Wanted Ad and our team will find a supplier.

The mix depends heavily on the region and what pasture species have been established on the property. In practice, pasture hay listings cover a wide range of compositions.

In southern Australia, common species in pasture hay include perennial ryegrass, annual ryegrass, phalaris, cocksfoot, fescue, sub clover, white clover, and various native grasses. Many southern pasture hays contain a legume component which lifts the protein content above a pure grass hay.

In northern and subtropical regions, common species include buffel grass, green panic, Rhodes grass, paspalum, kikuyu, couch, and various native pasture species. These are generally lower in protein than southern cool-season pasture mixes.

In dryland cropping zones, pasture hay is often dominated by annual grasses and broadleaf species that have established naturally or been sown as part of a pasture phase in a cropping rotation.

The key thing to understand is that when you buy pasture hay, you are buying whatever was growing in that paddock. This is why a feed test result matters more for pasture hay than for a single-species hay like oaten or lucerne. The protein and energy content of pasture hay can range from quite low in a mature rank grass hay to reasonably good in a well-managed mixed pasture with legume content. Always ask for feed test data, or arrange independent testing through our Testing service before committing to a large volume.

Yes. Pasture hay is widely used for cattle across Australia and is a practical option for a range of situations.

For beef cattle on maintenance, pasture hay suits dry cows, wethers, and cattle in good condition that need roughage and fibre to carry them through dry periods. A good-quality mixed pasture hay with some legume content can hold cattle condition well without supplementation.

For beef cattle with higher requirements such as weaners, growing cattle, cows in late pregnancy, or animals being prepared for joining, the suitability depends on the quality of the specific hay. Lower-protein grass-dominant pasture hay will need to be supplemented with a legume hay like lucerne or vetch, or with grain, to meet the nutritional demands of production. Higher-quality pasture hay with significant clover or other legume content may be adequate on its own.

For dairy cattle, pasture hay can work as a roughage component within a total mixed ration, particularly in regions where it is the most readily available and affordable forage. High-producing dairy cows have significant protein and energy demands that a low-quality pasture hay cannot meet alone.

The range in quality across pasture hay is wider than for purpose-grown hays. Never assume what you are getting based on the name alone. A feed test is the only reliable way to know what nutritional value your specific load offers.

Pasture hay can be suitable for horses, but the answer depends more on the specific hay than for purpose-grown equine hays like oaten hay.

Well-made pasture hay from a clean, weed-free mixed pasture is generally safe and suitable for horses in light to moderate work. The horse needs roughage above all else, and good pasture hay provides that along with moderate energy and variable protein depending on the legume content.

The areas to be careful about with pasture hay for horses:

Weed content. Pasture hay is more likely than purpose-grown cereal hay to contain weeds, and some weed species are toxic to horses. Always ask about weed content and look for listings with a Weed Safe badge on LocalAg, which indicates the hay has been assessed against verified standards.

Ryegrass endophyte. In some regions of southern Australia, perennial ryegrass pastures carry an endophyte fungus that can cause ryegrass staggers in horses. The risk is associated primarily with grazing affected pastures at certain times, but it is worth being aware of if you are buying pasture hay containing ryegrass from endophyte-affected regions. Ask your vet if you are unsure.

Legume content. Pasture hay with significant clover content is high in calcium and phytoestrogens. For horses, this is generally not a concern in normal feeding quantities but is worth knowing if you are feeding large volumes long-term.

For horses with specific requirements, purpose-grown equine hays like oaten hay, wheaten hay, or teff hay give you more certainty over what you are feeding.

Yes. Pasture hay is a practical and commonly used feed for both sheep and goats.

For dry sheep and wethers on maintenance, pasture hay is a cost-effective option. It provides roughage and fibre to keep the rumen functioning and hold condition during dry periods.

For ewes pre-lambing and lactating, the suitability of pasture hay depends on its quality. A pasture hay with reasonable legume content and good protein levels can support late pregnancy adequately, but a low-protein grass-dominant hay will need supplementation with lucerne, vetch hay, or a protein meal to meet the demands of late pregnancy and lactation.

For goats, pasture hay is well suited. Goats are selective browsers by nature and tend to do well on mixed pasture hay that offers variety. Goats have higher protein requirements than sheep of equivalent weight, which is worth accounting for when assessing whether a particular pasture hay is sufficient on its own.

For weaner lambs, supplementation is generally needed regardless of hay quality. Weaners need protein to drive growth and pasture hay alone is rarely adequate without a protein source alongside it.

These two hays are quite different in composition, purpose, and price.

Protein is the most significant difference. Pasture hay varies widely but most sits between 6 and 14% crude protein depending on the species mix and management. Lucerne hay typically comes in at 18 to 25% CP on a dry matter basis. For livestock at critical production stages that gap matters considerably.

Consistency. Lucerne is a purpose-grown single-species crop with predictable quality characteristics. Pasture hay is a mixed product and quality varies more between loads, seasons, and regions. What you get depends on what was in the paddock.

Fibre. Pasture hay is generally higher in fibre than lucerne, which makes it useful as a bulk roughage source. Lucerne has lower fibre and higher digestibility, making more of its energy and protein available to the animal.

Cost. Pasture hay is typically considerably cheaper per tonne than lucerne. For maintenance feeding where protein is not the limiting factor, this makes pasture hay the more economical choice.

Practical use. Many producers use both. Pasture hay provides affordable bulk roughage and lucerne provides the protein boost at critical times such as pre-lambing, weaning, or high-production dairy periods. For a detailed breakdown of protein hays, read Protein Hays and How They Compare.

In practice the two terms are often used interchangeably, and there is genuine overlap between them. The distinction is more about composition and context than a strict industry definition.

Pasture hay usually implies hay cut from an established mixed pasture, which may contain a combination of grasses, legumes, and broadleaf species. The word pasture suggests a managed grazing system rather than a cropped paddock. Pasture hay may have some legume content depending on what was growing in the stand.

Grass hay usually implies hay dominated by grass species with little or no legume content. It can refer to either purpose-grown grass crops or pasture paddocks that are predominantly grass. In nutritional terms, grass hay is generally a lower-protein product than mixed pasture hay with legume content.

When buying, do not rely on the label alone. Ask the seller what species are in the hay and ask for a feed test result. A pasture hay that is 80% annual ryegrass and 20% sub clover will feed quite differently to one that is 95% perennial grasses with no legume. Browse grass hay listings here if you are specifically after a pure grass product.

Get the feed test. This matters more for pasture hay than for most other hay types because the quality range is wider. A NIR feed test result showing crude protein, metabolisable energy, fibre, and moisture gives you the actual numbers rather than a guess based on appearance. On LocalAg, sellers can attach Feed Central feed test results directly to their listing.

Check the species mix. Ask the seller what is in the hay. A pasture with good legume content will have meaningfully higher protein than a pure grass hay. This affects what livestock you can feed it to and whether supplementation is needed.

Colour and smell. Good pasture hay should be green to golden with a clean, dry, grassy smell. Musty or ammonia smells indicate mould or heating. Heavy brown discolouration suggests rain damage during curing or overheating in storage.

Leaf to stem ratio. Hay cut at the right growth stage retains good leaf content. Coarse, stemmy hay with little leaf has typically been cut too late and will have lower digestibility and protein.

Weed content. Pasture hay is more prone to weed content than purpose-grown crops. High weed content reduces feed value and can introduce problem species to your property. On LocalAg, listings with a Weed Safe badge have been assessed against verified standards.

Moisture. Hay baled above 14 to 15% moisture is a storage risk. Confirm moisture before buying a large volume, particularly if you plan to store it for several months.

Yes, almost always. Pasture hay and lucerne hay are in quite different protein categories.

Pasture hay typically sits between 6 and 14% crude protein on a dry matter basis. Where it falls in that range depends on the species mix, how much legume content is present, when it was cut, and seasonal conditions. A well-managed southern pasture hay with significant clover content can approach the upper end of that range. A mature rank grass hay from a dry year might sit at the lower end.

Lucerne hay typically comes in at 18 to 25% CP. This is not a marginal difference. Lucerne has roughly twice the protein of average pasture hay, which is why it commands a significantly higher price and is used specifically at production stages where protein is the limiting nutritional factor.

For livestock on maintenance, the protein in pasture hay is often sufficient. For livestock at critical stages, including ewes pre-lambing, weaner cattle or sheep, dairy cows, and performance horses, the protein gap between pasture hay and lucerne matters and affects production outcomes.

If you need to lift the protein content of a pasture hay-based ration without moving entirely to lucerne, mixing in vetch hay is a common and cost-effective approach. For a full comparison of the protein hay options, read Protein Hays and How They Compare.

It depends on the quality of the hay and the production stage of your livestock.

For dry animals on maintenance, good-quality pasture hay with adequate protein and energy can work as the primary feed, provided animals have access to water and a mineral lick. Dry cows, dry ewes, and wethers not in production are the most forgiving to feed in this way.

For animals in production, pasture hay alone is often not adequate. Ewes in late pregnancy and lactation, weaner lambs and calves, dairy cows, and horses in regular work all have protein and energy demands that a typical pasture hay cannot fully meet on its own. Supplementation with a legume hay, grain, or a commercial supplement is generally needed.

For horses, the key requirement is that the horse has enough total roughage available, which pasture hay can certainly provide. However, horses also need adequate protein for muscle maintenance, coat condition, and hoof health. If the pasture hay is low in protein, a small amount of lucerne hay alongside it addresses this without the need for significant additional feeding.

The honest answer is that pasture hay varies too widely to give a single yes or no. Get the feed test result for your specific hay, know the requirements of your livestock, and decide based on the numbers rather than the name on the listing.