Timothy and Alfalfa Hay Blog

Not all hay is created equal. In fact, it varies greatly according to plant type, quality, growing region, and intended use. Timothy hay is more than just forage and has specific qualities that make it a premium feed option for a variety of feed programs.

The two most popular types of hay used as feed for livestock are legumes and grass hay. Alfalfa hay is the most well-known and widely fed legume (called “lucerne” in many parts of the world), and clovers are another type of legume that are also commonly incorporated in many feed programs. Alfalfa’s high protein content makes it ideal for milk-producing livestock and animals with high energy requirements.

Timothy hay (phleum pretense) is a perennial grass hay used as feed for many animals from small pets to Triple Crown-winning racehorses. Native to much of Europe, an American colonial farmer is credited with being the first to cultivate the grass in North America in 1720. By 1747, the grass first farmed by Timothy Hanson was known as “timothy” and has since earned a reputation for being the finest forage produced in the world.

Growing high quality Timothy hay requires number of very specific climate conditions. Most regions known for producing this cool-season grass grow are at high altitudes, have harsh winters, and summers with long warm days and cool nights.