Hay vs. Straw A Horse-power Comparison for Equestrians

"Hay" typically refers to cut alfalfa, but can also refer to other types of cut and dried grasses. Hay is usually harvested in the late summer. Hay holds nutritional value and is used as feed for cattle, horses and other farm animals, while straw is a by-product of hay that is composed of dried grain ... How Do You Tell Hay and Straw Apart? · Hay should have long stalks of various grasses; it should be dry but with evidence of green about it. Hay is legumes such as alfalfa and clover or grasses such as timothy, oat, fescue and bermuda. Most of the time, seeds are still intact in a hay bale. Though we call these “hay rides” – the grassy substance beneath the riders is actually straw – read on to learn more. · “Straw” refers to the ... The biggest difference between hay and straw is their indented use. To put it simply, hay is food for animals and straw is bedding. Since straw is cheaper, dried, and therefore less likely to mold or attract moisture, we buy straw for the backyard chicken coop and nesting ... Color– While the color of both straw and hay can vary, straw is typically a yellow or golden color, and hay is typically a shade of green. It's ... Horse, livestock and pet owners also use the term “straw.” Straw is not hay and hay is not straw. Straw is an agricultural by-product consisting of the dry ... The fundamental difference between hay and haylage is the way that the grass is conserved. Haylage tends to be cut earlier in the season than hay and then is ...