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Southwest OK | I'm a long way from you, but 90% of the dry hay I put up is wheat hay. It can be excellent feed, or poor roughage depending on the variety, growth stage it was cut at, drying conditions, and baling conditions. I prefer a beardless variety, much more palatable. I typically cut it when it is 70-80% headed. With good drying conditions I typically get a 12-14% protein this way. By cutting earlier at about 50% head, I have gotten protein levels as high as 19%. Can take over two weeks to dry down at that stage so I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a wrapper. I have baled bearded wheat that was fully headed and the protein on it was only 7%. This was some hailed on wheat that insurance had adjusted to a four bushel yield. Quite a bit of immature grain so it made good grinding hay, but cattle wouldn't really eat it if just set out. | |
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wheat hay
