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Choosing hay?

3K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  Rowzy 
#1 ·
So its time again for me to buy some hay, and unfortunently hay prices are really high right now. So I am trying to figure out what hay to get, because if I have to spend 260 a ton on hay I might as well do some research/looking around...

Anyways, so I live in western WA and I have the choice between local (western wa) hay and eastern WA hay. I have always been told that (and have found through some experiance) that local hay is way lower quality, but it is also cheaper. So I'm trying to avoid getting local hay...

Anyways, out of the eastern wa hay I have found most of it is timothy, timothy/orchard, orchard/alfalfa or just orchard. Which of these are best in your opinion? I have high energy arabs that are dry lotted half the year.

I also found somebody selling "large square bales" that weigh 900 lbs for 30 lbs a bale but I think that because I only have 2 horses that I should stick to small bales? Also somebody told me once that large bales are much more likely to have mold? I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that I should stick to small bales... Anybody have any input on this?
 
#3 ·
I prefer straight timothy. I like that it has more 'roughage' than the other types. However, I've also seen some alright timothy/orchard, I just prefer the pure timothy. If you're in Washington like I am, you'll need to check with the supplier about selenium levels as many crops here lack selenium due to the soil.
 
#5 · (Edited)
If you want a good hay for a semi-hot arab, find something in the 110-125 rfv range. If your hay supplier doesn't know what this means, find a new hay supplier. It doesn't really matter if it is timothy, orchardgrass, alfalfa, etc. just get a good quality hay somewhere in that feed value range and you will be good to go.

3x3x8 or 3x4 can be as good as any small square bale out there. Large rd bales tend to be put up by producers who don't know as much about what they are doing.
 
#6 ·
Well I can't seem to find any hay around here now haha. From what I understand is the rain is preventing people from cutting/baling the hay. We really haven't had too many nice days over here yet. Most people won't deliver to a loft if I want less then 5 tons, and 5 tons lasts over a year for me, so I don't need that much. It looks like I will probably be stuck buying hay from the feed store.
 
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