Pasture Hay

A Nutrient-Rich Feed for Livestock

Pasture hay is an essential part of feeding strategies for livestock in Australia. It’s made from a mixture of grasses, legumes, and sometimes cereals, offering a well-balanced combination of protein, fibre, and energy. This variability in composition makes pasture hay a highly nutritious feed option that’s highly palatable to animals.

What is Pasture Hay?

Pasture hay can be made up of different plant varieties, depending on the region it’s grown in. Typically, it includes grasses like Rye grass, legumes such as Clover or Lucerne, and occasionally other grasses like Rhodes or Mitchell grass. The mix of these species provides a good balance of nutrients for livestock, with variations in protein, energy, and fibre content.

1. Northern Pasture Hay: Commonly grown in the warmer, wetter regions of Australia, it typically contains a mixture of native grasses, legumes like Lucerne or Clover, and occasionally Chicory. This type of hay tends to be lower in sugars and has a different nutritional profile compared to its southern counterpart.
2. Southern Pasture Hay: Grown in the cooler southern regions of Australia, this hay is often a blend of Ryegrass, Lucerne, Clover, and sometimes Vetch. It generally has higher levels of crude protein and available sugars than Northern Pasture Hay.

Nutritional Value of Pasture Hay: NDF, CP, ME

1. Crude Protein (CP): Pasture hay typically ranges from 6% to 18%, depending on the type of plants in the mix and the stage of maturity when harvested. The presence of legumes like Lucerne or Clover can increase the protein content.
2. Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF): The fibre content ranges between 35% and 55%, making it a great source of roughage for livestock. The lower the NDF, the more digestible the hay, providing better energy intake.
3. Metabolizable Energy (ME): Pasture hay generally offers an ME between 6-10 MJ/kg, with the energy content varying based on the plant mix and maturity at harvest. The energy value is slightly higher in Southern Pasture Hay due to its higher sugar content.

Visual Quality and Grading

The quality of pasture hay can be assessed visually and is an important factor when selecting hay for livestock. High-quality hay should have:

1. A green to golden colour, with minimal yellowing or browning.
2. A soft texture and a pleasant, sweet aroma.
3. No signs of dust, mould, or pests.

Low-quality hay may be brown or discoloured, with a musty smell, thicker stems, or foreign materials like weeds or sticks, which can reduce palatability and increase waste.

Agricultural and Environmental Benefits

1. Soil Health: Pasture hay often includes legumes, which can fix nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
2. Sustainability: The use of pasture hay contributes to sustainable farming practices by promoting crop rotation, reducing chemical usage, and stabilizing soil. Standing pasture stubble can also provide additional forage for livestock during the off-season.
3. Winter Forage: Pasture hay is often grown as a cool-season forage crop, particularly in the southern regions, providing a reliable feed source during the winter months when other options may be scarce.

Quality Certificates and Feed Analysis

When purchasing pasture hay for sale, it’s essential to request a Quality Certificate that includes a visual grade and a feed analysis such as NIRS (Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy). This ensures you are purchasing the correct hay for your livestock’s nutritional requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pasture Hay

Q. What is the brown colour sometimes associated with Pasture Hay?

A. The brown colour can result from the presence of Clover species. When Clover flowers are left too long after harvest, they turn brown, affecting the overall appearance of the hay.

Q. Should Pasture Hay have more legume or grass plants?

A. A typical pasture hay blend should consist of about 1/3 legumes (like Clover or Lucerne) and 2/3 grasses or cereals for a balanced nutrient profile.

Q. Is Pasture Hay just grass?

A. No, pasture hay is typically a mix of grasses and legumes, with variations depending on the region. Northern Pasture Hay often contains native grasses, while Southern Pasture Hay typically features Ryegrass and Lucerne.

Q. What’s the best hay for horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)?

A. For horses with EMS, it’s best to feed Northern Pasture Hay or other native grass hays that are lower in sugar. Southern Pasture Hay can be higher in sugars due to its higher legume content.

Pasture Silage

In addition to hay, pasture silage is another option for preserving pasture as feed. Silage is made by fermenting fresh pasture, which helps retain its nutrients and provides a high-energy feed option, especially during periods of limited forage availability.