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Match Forage Products to Your Livestock Goals

How to Match Forage Products to Your Livestock Goals for the Year Ahead

A new year is the perfect time to reassess and plan your feed strategy to support the health and performance of your livestock. Selecting the right forage, whether for dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, goats, or horses, can make a significant difference in weight gain, milk production, reproduction, and overall animal wellbeing. At Barr-Ag Ltd., we offer a range of high-quality Canadian grown forage products, including Alfalfa, Timothy, Mixed Hay, Corn and Barley Silage, and Straw, suitable for farms both locally and around the world.

1. Understand Your Livestock Goals

Before choosing forage, identify the primary goals for each type of animal. Dairy producers may focus on maximizing milk yield and maintaining cow health during lactation, while beef operations prioritize steady weight gain and feed efficiency. Sheep and goats often require forage that supports growth and reproductive performance. Horses may have varying needs, from maintenance feeding to higher energy and protein requirements. Knowing these priorities will guide the selection of forage types, cuts, and blends.

2. Choose the Right Forage Type

  • Alfalfa: Rich in protein and energy, ideal for dairy cows, growing beef, and lactating goats. It is also commonly used for horses that require higher energy and protein levels, including performance horses, growing horses, lactating mares, and hard keepers. When fed appropriately, alfalfa supports milk production, muscle development, and overall growth.
  • Timothy: A high-fiber, lower-protein option, well suited for horses and adult ruminants needing maintenance feed without excessive energy intake.
  • Mixed Hay: Combines the benefits of legumes and grasses, making it a versatile option for operations with diverse livestock and balanced nutritional needs.
  • Corn and Barley Silage: High-energy forage used to support weight gain in beef cattle or to supplement dairy rations during peak production periods.
  • Straw: Primarily used for bedding or as a roughage filler. While low in nutritional value, it can play a role in ration balance when managed correctly.

3. Consider Cuts, Grades, and Blends

The nutritional value of forage varies with harvest timing, cutting method, and leaf-to-stem ratio. Early cut alfalfa typically offers higher protein and digestibility, while later cuts are more fibrous and better suited for maintenance rations. Mixed hay blends provide flexibility for farms managing multiple livestock types, and silage quality is influenced by moisture levels and proper storage practices. Evaluating your animals’ needs helps ensure the right match of cuts and blends.

4. Optimize for Animal Performance

The right forage program supports consistent performance throughout the year. Monitoring body condition, milk production, growth rates, and reproductive success allows you to fine-tune forage choices as conditions and livestock needs change. Thoughtful selection combined with good feed management helps ensure long-term herd health and productivity.

Start the Year Strong with a Custom Forage Plan

With Barr-Ag Ltd.’s premium Canadian-grown forage products, you can provide your livestock with the nutrition needed for optimal growth, production, and long-term health.

If you need an assessment of your forage requirements, connect with our team. We will work with you to select the right products for your specific livestock goals, feeding program, and budget. Whether you manage dairy, beef, horses, or mixed operations, we are here to help you get the most from your forage program.

Mixed Hay for Horses

During our winter season in Alberta, horses are unable to forage in pasture and hay becomes their main food source.  When choosing hay for your horses, it’s important to be mindful of not only the quality of hay you are offering your horses, but also the type of hay.

Generally, hay can be classified in three different types.  Legume hay, that would include hays high in protein and nutrients like alfalfa, is very popular among horse owners.  Grass hay, which would include timothy, orchard, and fescue are also popular, especially for adult horses.  Mixed hay is usually a blend of grasses and legumes and with the right combination horses are eager to dive in!

Mixed Hay

Mixing grass hays with legume hays has its advantages, including benefits to growers and producers.  Growing legume hay like alfalfa will help add nitrogen to the soil by nitrogen fixing.  In fact, alfalfa could fix up to 500lbs of nitrogen per acre and this nitrogen usually goes directly to the plant.  This natural process can help cut down on fertilizer use and growing costs.

What are other other benefits of choosing mixed hay for your horses?  They love it!  Adding legume hay to grass hay may increase the appeal of the feed for most horses and in many cases it is very easy for them to eat.  Plus, introducing a legume like alfalfa in mixed hay also improves the feeds quality by increasing vitamin A, protein, calcium, and the amount of energy in the feed.

If you throw down a grass hay flake and a legume hay flake, your horse may go straight for the legume hay.  When you grow your different hays together, it becomes too difficult for picky eaters to separate out the tasty portions.  Some horse owners prefer the mixed hay because it ensures their horses are getting a balance of key nutrients, making them strong and healthy.

Mixed Hay Right for your Horse?

Remember that each horse’s food requirements vary and are dependent on age, stage of development, workload, activity and metabolism.  You should always consider each individual when choosing hay for your horses and when deciding on portion sizes during feeding times.

Because legume hay tends to be higher in protein, calcium, vitamin A, and calories than grass hays, they make a great feed for young and growing horses, high performance athletes, and lactating mares.

Grass hay is usually lower in protein and energy and higher in fibre.  This makes it a good choice for most adult horses.  It satisfies their appetite, but cuts down on the excess calories and protein they may not need.

Mixed hay will give your horses the dietary benefits of alfalfa without giving them the excess they might not require.  According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, too much excess could predispose young horses to problems like developmental bone disease and epiphysis.  If you are unsure, consult your veterinarian when putting together your horses diet plan.

Mixed Hay Sales from Barr-Ag

Consider Barr-Ag when choosing hay for your horses!  While Barr-Ag grows some irrigated mixed hay, most of our mixed hay crop is grown on dry land. It is a versatile crop which combines non-GMO alfalfa, Timothy, orchard hay, brome hay and fescue.

For further information about mixtures currently available or to schedule a visit, contact us.