Tag Archives: timothy hay

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.

Your Guide to Premium Alberta Hay Quality, Grades, and Use

Hay is one of the most important feed sources for livestock, and its quality can make a significant difference in animal health, performance, and operational efficiency. Whether you’re feeding beef cattle, dairy cows, horses, or small ruminants, choosing the right grade of hay ensures you’re meeting your animals’ nutritional needs effectively.

At Barr-Ag, we specialize in the production and sale of premium Alberta-grown hay, including Timothy, Alfalfa, and mixed hay. Our products are grown in Alberta’s clean and dry climate, free from pesticides, and are tested regularly through internationally recognized laboratories to ensure consistent quality and nutritional value.

What Is Hay Grading?

Hay grading is the process of evaluating the quality of forage based on its nutritional content, digestibility, physical characteristics, and absence of contaminants. Grading allows buyers to match hay to specific livestock requirements and optimize feed value for the best results.

Unlike Alfalfa, which is typically graded using Relative Feed Value (RFV), grass and mixed hays (such as Timothy or Timothy-Alfalfa blends) are more accurately assessed using Relative Forage Quality (RFQ). RFQ includes fiber digestibility and total digestible nutrients (TDN), making it a better index for grasses and mixed forages.

Common Hay Grades and Uses

Hay is often categorized by nutrient content and overall quality into the following practical categories:

Grade	Typical Characteristics
Premium	High leaf content, green color, excellent smell, no dust/mold
Low Premium	Green to light green, moderate leaf content, slight weathering acceptable
#1	Yellowing, coarser texture, some stem or maturity visible
#2	Poor color, heavy stems, possible contaminants

Key Factors That Influence Hay Quality

Several factors impact the final grade and feeding value of hay:

Type of Hay

o Timothy hay: High in fiber, palatable

o Alfalfa hay: High in protein and energy

o Mixed hay: Offers a balance between energy and fiber.

Maturity at Harvest

Early cut hay is more nutritious and digestible. As plants mature, fiber content increases, reducing digestibility.

Leaf-to-Stem Ratio

Leaves contain most of the nutrients. A higher leaf content results in better forage quality.

Color and Aroma

Bright green color and a sweet, fresh smell indicate quality. Musty or brown hay suggests spoilage or poor curing.

Moisture Content

Ideal moisture levels (12–15%) prevent mold and leaf shatter. Too much moisture can lead to heating and spoilage.

Foreign Material

Dirt, weeds, mold, or dust lower nutritional value and may be harmful to animals.

Why Hay Quality Matters

Feeding low-quality hay can lead to:

o Reduced weight gain or milk production

o Increased need for supplements

o Digestive issues or respiratory concerns

o Lower feed intake and more waste

On the other hand, feeding properly graded, high-quality hay improves efficiency, animal health, and overall performance. Matching hay grade to the needs of your livestock helps reduce costs and improve results over time.

Barr-Ag’s Commitment to Premium Forage

At Barr-Ag, every bale is tested, sorted, and packaged to meet exact quality standards. We work with internationally accredited laboratories to test for crude protein (CP), fiber (ADF/NDF), moisture, and other key indicators.We offer:

o Clean, consistent Timothy and Timothy-mix hay

o Non-GMO Alfalfa hay with high protein content

o Custom blends to suit your livestock’s needs

Choose Barr-Ag for High-Quality Alberta Hay

Whether you’re feeding dairy cattle, horses, or beef stock, Barr-Ag is your trusted partner for dependable, export-grade hay. Our team can help you select the right grade for your specific needs and ensure smooth delivery anywhere in North America or abroad.

For specific dietary requirements, we recommend consulting your veterinarian.

Contact us today to request a quote, speak to our team, or learn more about our current inventory.

Canadian Timothy Hay

Canada’s forage industry is booming as Asian markets continue to provide strong demand for one of the most commonly-grown forage grasses in Canada, timothy hay. Timothy is perfectly suited for growing in cooler, more temperate climates like that of the Alberta province. As far as forage grasses go, timothy hay is one of the more palatable options and preferred by most livestock.

Barr-Ag grows timothy hay in the cool and clean environment of the Canadian Rockies. The area near the eastern slopes where Barr-Ag grows its timothy is known for producing the sweetest timothy hay anywhere on the planet. It is thought that this is the result of the outstanding growing environment created by the perfect altitude and seasonal changes for timothy hay.

Timothy is a perennial bunchgrass that is well-adapted to climates like those found in Western Canada. The fertile farmland there is paired with long daylight hours and plentiful sun; because of the exceptional environment for the growing season, Barr-Ag is able to grow and produce timothy hay of unsurpassed quality. This is very important as increased incomes and better standards of living in many areas of the Middle East and Asia are resulting in higher demands for animal-based protein and dairy. The rapidly-expanding dairy and beef industries in Asian countries rely on Canadian timothy hay due to limited land area for growing forage in their own countries. In fact, Canadian timothy hay exports are growing nearly exponentially and currently account for more than $100 million in trade on a yearly basis.

Barr-Ag produces dry-land timothy hay that is harvested once every season, and irrigated timothy that can be harvested twice every season. Nearly all hay produced by Barr-Ag comes from their farms, with the balance coming from trusted producers. Additional hay is procured only from producers who have been carefully vetted to ensure their adherence to Barr-Ag’s strict growing protocols and standards of quality control.

Barr-Ag makes shipping easy through thorough accommodation of customer needs. All shipping and customs documents are prepared for buyers to help ensure that every delivery goes smoothly. Shipments to other continents, as well as those heading into the US, are treated with the utmost care and are routed through various ports to keep shipping time to a minimum. Various shipping options are offered by Barr-Ag, including cost and freight (CNF) and freight on board (FOB); container yard (CY) shipping is also available.

Contact Barr Ag to get more information on any or our crops including Alfalfa, Timothy, Mixed Hay, Canadian Grains and Pulse crops.

Timothy Seed

Timothy seed is most produced in Western Canada, specifically Alberta and Manitoba. Although much of the product is used throughout North America, some varieties are grown and shipped to international markets. Timothy hay readily produces the seed and it can be harvested for seed as well as for forage.

The price of timothy seed is affected by the supply of seed producers in western Canada and the market demand. International demand for Canadian timothy seed comes mostly from the USA and European countries. Seed prices are also affected by the yield of timothy hay produced and sold for forage. In years where overall hay production for forage was low due to weather conditions or other factors, the fields can still be harvested for the seed.

Timothy Seed in the Marketplace

Growers of Canadian timothy hay and seed have several options for marketing their crops. Canadian growers can choose to sell into the cash market or grow under contract from an international buyer. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development mentions two options for contracting timothy seed: forward priced or production contracts.

Forward pricing is when the grower is contracted to grow and deliver a certain amount and grade of seed at a specific date. Depending on the contract, the seller could pay the shipping and handling costs. Then the seed company will pay a certain price depending on the quality and grade of timothy seed.

A production contract is signed between a grower and seed company when the grower agrees to produce a specific variety of seed from a certain growing area. A specific price is set, but if the seed does not meet the quality as outlined in the contract upon delivery the price to the grower can be reduced. Most production contracts are for certified production. That means that a field inspection is completed and the timothy seed is registered and certified. One benefit to Canadian growers entering into a production contract is that they are guaranteed a minimum price for their crop, offering a small amount of protection in a sometimes unpredictable marketplace.

Varieties of Timothy Seed

There are many varieties of timothy seed on the marketplace. The most common variety grown by Canadian producers is Climax, which was developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Varieties that are more commonly exported to Europe are usually grown under production contract with seed companies.

Here is a list of available timothy seed varieties grown in Western Canada: Alma, Basho, Bottnia II, Bounty, Champ, Climax, Comtal, Hokuo, Itasca, Rasant, Richmond, Tiiti, Tiller, and Timfor.

Important Factors for Growing Timothy Seed

Field selection is very important and must meet a number of requirements. The field must be a certain distant from other fields growing different timothy varieties and that are free of perennial weeds. Timothy hay is tolerant to flooding so it will actually grow well in a poorly drained field. It’s also important to know the history of herbicides previously used on the field and if any remaining residues will affect the crop.

Timothy is a small seed and must be planted shallow into a firm seedbed at about two pounds of seed per acre.

Establishing stand, row spacing, and fertility will help growers decide on in-crop herbicides and pesticides. Timothy hay is a very sensitive crop and herbicide selection must be done considering the weeds present, the amount of stress the crop is already under, stage of the timothy and rotation of herbicides.

Fortunately, well established timothy stands are not affected by insect pests. Newer stands might could see grasshoppers, wireworm or cutworms most likely because these pests were already in the field when it was planted. Keeping a close eye on moisture levels will help the new crop tolerate damage created by feeding insects.

Sources:

http://www.brettyoung.ca/images/file/BY_Seed%20Prod%20Guide.pdf

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex8696?opendocument

http://seedgrowers.ca/seed-growers/regulations/

Timothy Hay: Processing and Export

Timothy hay grows extremely well in Western Canada’s growing conditions. The clean air, rich soil and cooperative climate all contribute to the production of some of the most palatable hay in the world. Since this Timothy hay is grown at higher altitudes, with long warm summer days and cool nights during the growing season, it matures with an increased sugar content and makes excellent forage for livestock.

Canadian Timothy hay and other forages are in demand in Japan and other countries along the Pacific Rim. It is used as forage for beef and dairy cattle, as well as in the horse industry in certain parts of Asia. It’s a nutritious source of fibre, encourages growth and is beneficial to livestock producers who do not have the land or the means to grow it locally. As a result, the export market for Canadian hay has expanded rapidly.

Canadian hay growers see hay processors and exporters like Barr-Ag as their consumer. They will sell their crops to a local exporter, where the Timothy hay is compressed and processed for shipment. The true customer is the export market. Canadian hay growers who want access to the export market should contact a hay processor to learn about market demands, specific standards for raw material and the preference of the international customer. .

Product quality is incredibly important when trying to sell your crops to a hay processor and exporter. Shipping products like Timothy hay such large distances is very expensive. In order to ensure the needs and expectations of the international customer are met, a hay processor must hold a high standard for the hay it chooses to purchase, process and export.

In regards to Timothy hay, the end-user is looking for long, course stems with long heads. The stems should be green, leafy and have a minimum of brown leaves. It should be free of mold, weeds, or other plant species and contaminants. It must have a low moisture content to ensure mold and moisture damage doesn’t occur during transport or storage.

Processing the crop into compressed bales can reduce shipping costs. Timothy hay can be compressed or even double compressed to better fit into transportation containers. They are usually transported by truck to a container yard, then picked up by rail and moved to a Canadian port. If the hay is going to Asia it will be moved to a port in Vancouver, shipments going to Europe travel to Montreal, and shipments going to the United States are transported via Chicago and/or Fort Lauderdale. From these ports they’re loaded on ocean container ships and sent to overseas markets.

In order to ship Timothy hay to international markets the hay exporter must obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate. This is the official document issued by the plant protection organization of the exporting country to the plant protection organization of the importing country. It makes sure the product has been inspected, free of quarantine pests, and cleared according to specific regulations of the country receiving the shipment.

Some markets do not hold as strict standards as Japan. If the baled Timothy hay does not meet Japanese requirements it can be sold to residual markets such as Korea or Taiwan. A hay processor can also market single-compressed hay in the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and Middle East as they each have different requirements and may accept a variety of Canadian hay products.

For more information on selling your Canadian grown Timothy hay, contact Barr-Ag. If you’re interested in importing Canadian forage, click on the image and fill our the request form.

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