first versus second cut hay

[Deleted]

Do most of you feed first or second cut hay? I always feed first cut, i've heard it's better for the horses, having more seed in it, then again i've heard second cut is better because it has more protein in it.

[cadeby]

Hobsons choice for us as we only take one cut, usually in May/June depending on the weather.
We don't have our own equipment so have to pay a contractor. We wouldn't get a big enough return in terms of quantity to justify a second cut.

[olivia]

oooh that's interesting Chloe - I've always thought second cut hay for natives was better because it was less rich and slightly tougher/more chewy (so the horses have to chew it rather than inhaling it like Tilly tries to do )

Of course it's all a bit theoretical for me because I'm on livery so get whatever the yard has in. Although all credit to my current yard - over the summer my YO went and got a bale of much more suitable hay just for Tilly because their summer hay was far too rich for her.

[harleydales]

We only get one cut too - and were lucky this year to get that!

The nutritional value also depends very much on the grass itself - our hay field is an 8 year old grass sward which is less nutritious than the 1 year old re-seed we did last year (used for silage).

[harveydales]

Yes, we only get one cut too and that is usually rather late in the year - September the last 2 years!

I think it does very much depend on the type of grass, whether it is seed hay ie a crop specially grown for hay or whether meadow hay. 1st cut is supposed to be higher in nutrients, sugars and energy. 2nd cut can be very leafy and high in sugars too though not always. I prefer a late first cut for our natives. I had our old meadow hay analysed a couple of years ago and was shocked to discover it was exceptionally high in sugar and protein, not what I was expecting or wanting at all.

[Debbie]

In the US typically your first cutting will be the richest. For a native that's not always such a good thing as they can really pack on the weight from hay alone.

I try to find grass hays for Blossom and Galahad. Our area's been very badly hit with extremely wet summers two years in a row, so neither cutting was great but doable. Like Heather, we take what we can get.

[Deleted]

really Debbie, because our first cut is not rich at all!!here in Vermont at least the second cut is generally richer, but yes the first cut can be rich if there is a lot of alfalfa of clover, we get a late first cut usually late July when the seed is ripe, if cut cefore then I have no doubt that it will probably be richer.

[Debbie]

D'oh that's right! I totally forgot you were up in Vermont. The seasons and the soil are completely different from ours, so yes, you're totally right that your second cutting will most likely be your richer cut.

I'm down in Missouri, and typically our fields are planted in April, and harvested for the first cut in Late May/Early June. This year was so wet that the farmers didn't actually get anything planted until late June and then it was ticklish whether or not that would get washed away as well.

They did manage two cuts this year ~ barely and neither cutting was rich. Its full of weeds too, but we take what we can get and thankfully Blossom and Galahad pick around the thistles.