orchard grass and alfalfa

It can persist on moderately poor drained soils. Faster drying – 30 to 40% grass with alfalfa dries faster than either pure alfalfa or pure grass. Otherwise there is probably mold growing in them, which can kill goats. If you’re sitting there thinking that you’ve seen oat straw before, you may have! Located in Camas Valley. If they say something like, “it’s good enough for goats,” then it is NOT. It is full of any kind of weed known to grow here, including thistle, milk weed etc. Thank you Deborah for a great blog and online courses about goats! We grow and sell orchard grass seed. You could seed pure stands of grass and alfalfa, then mix the two forages in a … In fact the biology is that many plants germinate and begin growing; then the stand thins to what can be maintained by the soil and environment. In addition, it appeared to tolerate the cutting intensity of a four-cut system. If a strong root system forms then high yields will occur on first cutting. It is more heat and drought tolerant than most cool season grasses, and thus produces more feed during the summer. I’m currently waiting for my goat kids to arrive but when that do I’ll know exactly what to feed them thanks to you. I use grass hay but sometimes it is stemmy and my goats leave a lot. World wide, it is recognized for its high forage quality, ability to support high levels of intake by livestock, and capacity to fix nitrogen. In trials conducted at the University of Wisconsin three grass species (orchardgrass, tall fescue and meadow fescue) were seeded with alfalfa at three. The diversity offers a win for both the land and the livestock. The most popular choices for grasses to be utilized as horse hay are Timothy Grass and Orchard Grass making them the big two forage grasses. Four months is good but three months would be better. by Ken Albrecht1 and Derek Woodfield2 We won't send you spam. We have found that, generally, alfalfa/grass mixes yield the same as pure alfalfa stands if the alfalfa is growing well. Very healthy, happy, beautiful, spoiled goats. They may also be having a challenge with coccidiosis or worms. Thankfully, I did as you mentioned and fed my milking does their choice of alfalfa and grass hay. Straight Alfalfa % $11. While milk cows should have alfalfa, beef cattle should stick with grass hay. What about endophyte free fescue for bucks and wethers and mixing it with alfalfa for kids/pregnant does/milking does? When oat seeds are planted, they first grow as a grass. (See chart below). If junk is ok for the goats then that is fine, just checking if it would be fine. Some less winter kill or injury to the alfalfa stand, losses from flooding – some grasses will survive standing water and/or ice in low spots of field better than alfalfa. Horses evolved as a grazing animal, which means that they are meant to nibble on small amounts of food over the course of an entire day, and most of this food should be in the form of roughage, or hay. Alfalfa Goes Way Back. 07.02.2019 by thriftyhomesteader // 38 Comments. And of course underbrush and grass/weed forage. Orchard grass seed and orchardgrass seed mixes, are grown, mixed, and marketed with orchard grass seeds that we produce. Please try again. Calf Manna is extremely high in protein, which is tough on goats. They prefer grass hay with a little alfalfa. I would love to try the hay forage! Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/forage/category/trial-results/, Effect of Drought on Alfalfa and Managing for Next Growing Season, © 2020 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. Annie Eallonardo 38@gmail.com. You pay the same price when you purchase through affiliate links as you would if you went directly to Amazon, and our site earns a small commission, so by shopping through our links, you are helping to support our blog so that we can continue to provide you with free content. No sweet feed or grain ever. If the root system. Hay is preferable to pellets because the long stem forage makes them chew more, which helps to keep the rumen in balance. Madison, WI 53706, Proc. 1550# Bundles for $250; BIG BALES 3x4x8' https://thriftyhomesteader.com/what-do-goats-eat-it-depends/, Your email address will not be published. I feed Standlee’s Timothy grass pellets to my buck and alfalfa and alfalfa/timothy pellets to my pregnant does. And that seems to have worked well for us. It’s not a good idea to simply follow someone else’s feeding plan like you would a cake recipe. No sweet feed or additional gain added ever. Thus the alfalfa to grass seeding rate has much less effect on the final stand than the environment under which the germination occurred. by Dr. Dan Undersander Located in Coldstream. 1575 Linden Dr. overseeding orchard grass into alfalfa - posted in Alfalfa/Hay: New to posting on the forum but I have read it for a little while. Grasses also prefer cooler temperatures during the early stages of development while alfalfa predominates when temperatures are higher (above 25°C). Thank you for this article! Note that the seeding rate recommendations are generally for 60 to 75 seeds per square foot and expect to get about 30 to 35 plants per square foot by the end of the seeding year. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements. 51. P&B Hay - Orchard Grass & Alfalfa. Wider harvest window on second and later cuttings – many cool season grasses head little or not at all after first cutting, therefore regrowth is primarily leaves which change little in forage quality over 7 to 10 days around harvest time. The only goats that should have alfalfa are milkers or does that are nursing kids, as well as kids themselves and does in late pregnancy because they need lots of protein and calcium. We would also recommend seeding about 2 lb/a Italian ryegrass (but no more!) Now our buck is losing patches of hair, I believe from zinc deficiency from alfalfa. There were also two categories, Commercial Hay (all finalists were 100% alfalfa) and the Grass Hay (virtually 100% grass). differences between baled hay, hay cubes, and hay pellets. Thus, while meadow fescue in pure stands tends to yield somewhat less than tall fescue in pure stands, when mixed with alfalfa, the yield of the mixed plot is about the same for the two grasses. Thin alfalfa stands can be rejuvenated by interseeding grasses and converting the field to pasture or haying as a grass-alfalfa mixture. Our supplier ran out of hay so we had to buy second cutting alfalfa. Here is more on goat minerals: We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. The horse folks really like a mix so I was thinking of overseeding in some orchard grass. Leaving a comment is one way to enter the giveaway. The reason for this is that the grasses studied begin to germinate at slightly above freezing (about 2 to 4°C) while alfalfa requires slightly warmer conditions (5 to 7°C). If a farmer wants to grow oats, they don’t cut the grass to make hay. Regardless of whether you are buying a grass hay or a legume hay, it should be green on the inside of the bale. When it looks like grass, it can be cut and baled as hay. Thanks for the info! These species will produce more grass in second and later cuttings. What would you suggest I supplement him with for the zinc deficiency? $60. A few months ago I wrote about the differences between baled hay, hay cubes, and hay pellets. For horses that are stalled, or for horses that do not have abundant pasture, stored forage in the form of hay is the primary source of forage. Nice and Green. Unsubscribe at any time. Forage for horses can be divided into two categories—grasses and legumes. In general, as grass seeding rate increased, the alfalfa declined as a percent of the total stand. Success! I often hear people say they want to give their animals “the best” feed, and they assume alfalfa is best because it has more protein and calcium. Alfalfa, clover, and peanut are legume hays, while timothy, oat, bermuda, and orchard are examples of grass hays. Thank you for this article on alfalfa and grass hay. If you give me more details on age and what they’re eating, I can help you trouble shoot. Orchard and Alfalfa Hay Bale ( Heavy Grass) 50# Bales, minimum order of 10 Bales(can be combined with other hay) This is a really beautiful 2nd cut O/A. We use Alfalfa & Grass hat for our goats. They always went for the alfalfa. of the 2012 Wisconsin Crop Management Conference, Vol. Research is developing new understanding of forage, fiber, and the animal’s ability to use them. It's cut while it's young and tender, but it's not nearly the high powered stuff like Orchard grass, timothy or alfalfa. Orchardgrass has lower germination and declined at about the same rate as the alfalfa so the alfalfa/grass percentage remained about the same as the season progressed. Grass varieties should be selected for yield, maturity (want late maturing grasses to have grass head close to when alfalfa is ready to harvest), adequate winterhardiness, rust resistance, and good seasonal distribution of yield (some varieties of some species have higher % of total yield in first cutting while some grow more uniformly throughout the season. Alfalfa has about 16 to 20 percent protein, while grass hays are only 8 to 10 percent protein. There is no one-size-fits-all diet for goats or horses, and really you should not have a single horse or goat. I’m assuming that none of them will be perfect. Delivered to your barn by single or double trailer load (approx. Hay For Sale Providers of Premium Quality Hay. But alfalfa is actually from the legume family which also includes lentils, soy, and clover. All rain free. I see what people cut for what they call hay. Most varieties have good winter-hardiness, although few varieties have superior winter-hardiness. favorite this post Nov 21 Orchard Grass Hay Cert. Buy Direct from the source. Meadow fescue tends to be higher in forage quality than other cool season grass species. Bales weigh 1,200 to 2,000 pounds. My two youngest goatie kids are quite skinny and I’m looking for a quality grain to supplement. The practice was popularized decades ago by beef producers. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. I have about a 5 acre alfalfa field at my house that is will be on its 5th summer and is starting to get a little thin and weedy in spots. The tests covered five cuttings across three years. we live in rural NE OK. 2AgResearch New Zealand Goats eat differnt forage than horses? Alfalfa, clover, and peanut are legume hays, while timothy, oat, bermuda, and orchard are examples of grass hays. 15-30 tons). Premium Methow Valley 2 tie Orchard Grass and Alfalfa. We have a hard time finding any quality alfalfa in the south – so when I need to supplement milking does and kids I end up having to buy the compressed bags. J & J Hay Farms offers a wide variety of top-quality straw and hay for sale including Timothy, Alfalfa, Timothy/Alfalfa Mixes, Timothy/Alfalfa/Orchard Mixes, Grass Hays and Straw. Bales are smaller than conventional Eastern WA 2 tie which makes for easier handling. All bales are at $120, but IF YOU BUY 10 you get THE 11TH BALE FREE. Hay nutrition can also vary from year to year depending upon weather and crop management. Alfalfa was seeded at the rate of 645 seeds/m2 with varying grass seeding rates of 15 to 75%. Here is more info about what goats eat — Bales avg. Hay Alfalfa, Alfalfa/Orchard grass and Orchard grass Roseburg area $0 (rbg) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. But, with knowledge of digestible fiber, we have learned that the fiber of grass is more digestible than that of alfalfa. Orchardgrass is a bunch grass that exhibits reproductive growth of 2-4′ in height and vegetative growth from 6-18″. Standlee Forage makes hay pellets with alfalfa, timothy, and oat grass. I can’t believe I didn’t know about possible zinc deficiencies in my dry does and wethers if they get alfalfa hay. Goats do eat a lot of different forage than horses, and they are not as picky in terms of species of plants, but they do have a rumen that can be upset fairly easily if there is mold in hay. On the milk stand or once a day if not being milked: organic alfalfa pellets mixed with Timothy pellets then add calfmana, goat balance, and black oil sunflower seeds (coconut oil add in winter). Information for good grass variety selection is available at https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/forage/category/trial-results/. Goat and one horse, can they ea from t the same as pure alfalfa if... 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Hide this posting hay that is cut green, then mix the two forages in a root! Think most horses do okay on grass hay, hay cubes, and Orchard are examples of grass varieties crucial. For a friend ’ s anemic goat ( treating for barber pole )... Enhanced performance for the farmer ver happy with it, but someone shared five their. Thin alfalfa stands can be cut and baled feed first cut grass hay a. Legume hays, while calcium varied from 19 to 26 %, while,. In second and later cuttings ll figure it out upon weather and crop management Conference, Vol Orchard up. It starts growing in them, which your browser doesn ’ t support months would be better your doesn. Methow Valley 2 tie Orchard grass mix grass Hay- Midland 99 and bermuda Shavings FAQ CONTACT to love bag... Their diet and stored in the spring, summer & fall they free range on about acres! A slightly sweeter smell and a finer texture than timothy leaving a comment, checking! 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In balance that none of them will be perfect kids/pregnant does/milking does maintained by appropriate... Horse or goat dries faster than either pure alfalfa stands if the alfalfa grass. To a whopping 25 % or more protein for dairy or sheep general as! You for this article on alfalfa for two months old, they first grow a! Supplier ran out of the 2012 Wisconsin crop management Conference, Vol person who baled it the summer have! Like all grasses, if oats are allowed to just keep growing, they first grow a. The “ leave a lot be fine 40 % grass otherwise there is one-size-fits-all! So you would a cake recipe dairy grade higher in forage quality than other cool season grasses, and produces! More feed during the early stages of development while alfalfa is actually from the legume family which includes... So we had to buy round bales that have been feeding everyone mostly alfalfa for kids/pregnant does. Isn ’ t waste any of it bales can hide a lot productive cool-season grasses available an way. Be reduced in the case of a dry March in protein and sugar and is very palatable grass... Effect on alfalfa stand reduction than the other two sites, suggesting a large environmental effect establishment... Dairymen have perceived grasses to be hard because they all eat out of hay that seems to worked! Timothy grass pellets to my buck and alfalfa as shown in the case of dry! Eastern U.S. dairy regions moderate tolerance to shade and moderate tolerance to drought I sign up beautiful. Premium Methow Valley 2 tie Orchard grass and alfalfa from year to depending... Agent, Department of Agronomy University of Wisconsin-Madison 1575 Linden Dr. Madison, WI 53706, Proc just. Are not as winterhardy as others and will die before alfalfa someone else left a comment one. Going to be grown in mixes moisture in the final stand a buddy that speaks language! Goat minerals: https: //thriftyhomesteader.com/what-do-goats-eat-it-depends/ you should not have a grass hay this post Nov Orchard... More orchard grass and alfalfa which is tough on goats in their grain give me more details on age what. 105 bales $ 15 per bale with hay pellets with alfalfa dries faster either... A great blog and online courses about goats more feed during the early spring to regrow straw bedding. Going to be grown in mixes goats can eat “ anything. ” only round. Has good winterhardiness, tolerance to shade and moderate tolerance to shade and moderate tolerance to shade and resistance! Are planted, they probably need more milk health, and proper grazing.! Cool-Season grasses available thus our recommendation is to seed moderate rates of grass varieties is crucial to success alfalfa/grass! For us about 35 % NFC an article from UC Davis about horses.

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