Hay is very important because it serves as food for various kinds of grazing animals such as sheep, goats and horses. Likewise, people can also use it to feed different types of pets including guinea pigs and rabbits. In preparation for the winter season, it is usually stored after being cut and dried. There are different types of plants that can be used as part of hay such as orchard grass, coastal Bermuda and Italian rye grass. Let’s find out many other interesting things about hay including how much does a flake of it weigh.
How much does a flake of hay weigh? Based on reports, a flake of hay can weigh as heavy as 2 pounds. Clovers, alfalfa and legumes are also good types of hay. Its quality depends on the seed material as well as leaves that can be found in them. After it is harvested, weather conditions can easily affect its quality. Factors that can lead to a successful harvest include the weather, the field as well as the occurrence of the so-called optimum crop. When all of these things happen, the perfect time to harvest hay has finally arrived, just right before different kinds of unfavorable conditions hit the field.
Additional Information and Other Interesting Details
Hay is highly important especially for feeding grazing animals. It becomes more and more valuable as winter season draws near. A majority of these animals is fed once in the morning and another one in the evening. This type of feeding system is favorable to humans rather than to the animals, mainly because grazing animals can actually feed themselves anytime they want. For those that are raised for the purpose of meat, animal owners can actually feed them as much as they want to make them bigger and healthier. When it comes to working animals, it is good to give them limited amount of hay in order for them not to develop too much fat. Owners usually feed them when they are free from work.
The process of producing and harvesting hay is referred to as haymaking. This thing involves multiple important processes, namely the cutting, the curing, the processing as well as the storing. The growing season for hay usually happens during spring and the early parts of summer. At this time of the year, grass grows at a very rapid pace. Before hay is baled, it needs to be dried completely before it is to be placed inside the storage room.