High-protein legume forage for livestock
Vetch hay is a nutrient-dense legume forage that provides high levels of protein, good energy, and quality fibre. It is particularly valuable for livestock with higher nutritional requirements, such as dairy cows, growing animals, sheep, and goats. When harvested and stored correctly, vetch hay delivers excellent feed quality and also plays an important role in sustainable farming rotations.
What is vetch hay?
Vetch (Vicia species) is an annual legume widely grown across Australia as a forage crop. Farmers use it for hay, silage, grazing, and as a break crop. As a legume, it not only produces high-quality feed but also fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility for following crops. When cut and dried for hay, vetch offers a leafy, palatable forage that balances well with cereal or grass hays.
Nutritional Value of Vetch Hay
The exact nutritional content depends on variety, growing season, and harvest timing, but typical Australian results show:
- Crude Protein (CP): Good quality vetch hay usually ranges between 20% and 30% on a dry matter basis. Hay cut at the right stage can consistently deliver CP in the mid-20s, making it one of the higher-protein forages available.
- Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF): Levels often fall between 40% and 55%. Lower NDF (softer stems, more leaf) encourages intake and improves digestibility, while higher NDF indicates more mature, stemmy hay.
- Metabolisable Energy (ME): Well-made vetch hay typically provides 9 to 11 MJ/kg of dry matter. This supports weight gain, milk production, and general animal performance.
- Digestibility: Dry matter digestibility (DMD) can range from around 60% to 75%. Leafy hay harvested early is the most digestible, while late-cut hay becomes coarse and less palatable.
Because these values can vary, feed testing is strongly recommended before ration formulation.
Visual Quality & Grading
High-quality vetch hay should have a green to light golden colour, a soft leafy texture, and a fresh, pleasant aroma. Look for a good leaf-to-stem ratio, as leaves contain the bulk of the protein and energy. The hay should be free from mould, dust, weeds, sticks, or soil contamination. Avoid bales that are brown, musty, or overly coarse, as these indicate poor quality and reduced feeding value.
Best Time to Harvest Vetch Hay
The timing of cutting is critical. The best results come when vetch is harvested in the late vegetative to early flowering stage, before pods fully develop and harden. At this point, protein and digestibility are at their peak, and stems remain soft. If cutting is delayed until later pod fill, the protein level drops, fibre content increases, and the hay becomes less palatable. For dairy and high-performance stock, aim for hay with crude protein above 18%, NDF below 45%, and ME above 10 MJ/kg DM.
Agricultural & Environmental Benefits
Beyond feed value, vetch hay supports sustainable farming systems in Australia.
- Nitrogen fixation: Vetch captures nitrogen from the atmosphere and adds it to the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertiliser in subsequent crops.
- Rotation benefits: It helps break weed and disease cycles when included in crop rotations, improving long-term paddock health.
- Drought resilience: Vetch hay provides an important protein source during dry years or feed shortages, especially in southern Australia.
- Economic potential: Trials in Victoria and other regions have shown that vetch hay enterprises can deliver good returns where quality is maintained and there is market demand.
Feeding Considerations
Because vetch hay is high in protein, it is best fed as part of a mixed ration with cereal or grass hays to provide balance and reduce risks such as bloat. Always ensure hay is well cured before baling and stored under cover to prevent spoilage. Feed testing for CP, NDF, ME, and moisture content is the most reliable way to assess quality and match it to livestock needs.
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