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Our alfalfa hay is managed with the dairy producer in mind. For this reason our hay is managed in order to be free of weeds, cut at early maturity and harvested in ways to preserve the most feed value. We strive to produce and market a product low in fiber content and high in digestibility in order to put more milk in your tank.
Alfalfa hay is also very suitable for horses. We take pride in producing a product that is harvested in a timely manner, relatively fine stemmed and leafy, free of weeds and unacceptable grasses, and rich in color. All of our alfalfa is covered in such a way to prevent rain damage, mold or spoilage.
Alfalfa hay that does not meet the high standards of the dairy cow or the horse is a very good source of fiber and protein which will meet the needs of beef cows, growing stock in feedlots or dairies and dry cows.
Our grass/alfalfa blends are seeded to a 50/50 mix but will generally range from 40/60 grass-alfalfa to 60/40 grass-alfalfa. This will depend upon the cut and varying growing conditions. The grass used in the mix is mostly orchard grass but will contain some smooth brome, meadow brome and timothy. We do also offer a product that is certified weed free to accommodate our customers who need a product to feed their livestock within our National Forest boundaries.
MOUNTAIN MEADOW TIMOTHY
The term"millet" is applied to various grass crops whose seed or forage is harvested for human food or animal feed. Millets are some of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. We produce both foxtail and pearl millet on our farm. Foxtail millet, also known as Italian or German Millet, originated and is grown primarily in Asia. In the U.S. foxtail millet is grown primarily in the Dakotas, Colorado and Nebraska. It requires warm weather and matures quickly in the hot summer months. It forms slender, erect leafy stems varying in height from 1-5 ft. Foxtail millet makes good hay for cattle and sheep. Foxtail millet should not be fed to horses as the only source of roughage since it acts as a laxative. Pearl millet is a tall, erect, annual bunchgrass growing to a height of 6-15 ft. It is harvested for hay or silage. General protein content of millet hay is between 8%-12%.
Oat hay is a very palatable product when cut at proper maturity. It provides excellent fiber and can be fed to many kinds of animals. Oat hay can be used to start calves in a feedlot, or as "comfort" food in a sick pen ration. It can be fed to horses although is not recommended as a total food source.