WOOLCOTT GROUP

The Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) has established a national hay grading system recognised by NACMA (National Agricultural Commodity Marketing Association).

AFIA uses industry-leading testing methods to ensure quality feed can be assigned to livestock and milk production through Vendor Declaration Forms. Consumers can obtain these forms for free to verify the quality of the product before they decide to purchase.

The grading system is based on objective measurements and correlates fodder quality to livestock performance. Using an alpha-numeric code means the quality of fodder can be distinguished instantly.

Woolcott Group has received the highest AFIA grading (A1) on all of our produce. Our analysis reports are made readily available for your convenience.

Lucerne, also known as alfalfa or Medicago sativa, is a perennial flowering plant from the pea family. The ancient Romans and Greeks cultivated lucerne for animal feed and are one the earliest crops explicitly used for livestock.

Lactating dairy cows are commonly fed lucerne hay as it is a rich source of energy and protein. Lucerne has a comprehensive mineral profile and ferments quickly while also providing enough fibre for butterfat synthesis and rumen health.

There are many benefits of including lucerne hay in your dairy cows diet, the most notable being improved digestibility, resulting in higher milk production. However, lower grades of lucerne will not be as effective as bales with an AFIA A1 grading.

Opting for Lucerne hay with an AFIA A1 grading will help improve the health of your livestock.

If you would like to purchase A1 graded Lucerne hay, follow the link to our store here.

Forages are the prime source of nutrition for many livestock species, which means that it is critical to provide your animals with the highest quality forage available. Using quality feed helps ensure that your animals remain healthy and meet their nutritional needs.

Not all forages are created equal. Hay that meets the nutritional needs of a lactating dairy cow might not meet that of a horse’s daily requirements.
The forage portion of the diet is primarily delivered in the form of hay. As it is such a large part of the nutritional quota, high-quality hay will help keep your horses healthy, while opting for lower quality hay can negatively affect the health of your livestock.

Oaten hay, official known as Avena sativa, is the primary source of digestible fibre used for feeding livestock. It is safe to feed alone or as part of a total mixed ration with low potassium and nitrate-nitrogen levels. Oaten hay is highly palatable and has earned itself the reputation as the “sweet hay”, which cows and other livestock will readily eat. Many other feeds are left uneaten in comparison to oaten hay. Reducing the level of feed rejection makes investing in high-quality oaten hay reduces metabolic problems associated with post-calving, such as:

Retained placentas, which can lead to metritis. Up to 10% of cows die in areas where temperatures exceed 30 ̊C.
Metritis can cause over 50% of milk production to be lost.
Milk fever causes 10% of cows to pass away while the remaining 90% of cows will have a 10% loss of production.

Oaten hay contains highly digestible fibre, which helps stimulate rumen function. When used in combination with high-quality Lucerne, Oaten hay helps the absorption of protein and nutrients, which, in turn, increase the milk volume delivered by diary cows.

At Woolcott Group, we use a pivot irrigation system which has been proven as the most effective and efficient system. Pivot irrigation helps us to conserve energy as it operates at a lower pressure.

Lucerne must receive enough water to produce A1 quality and high protein feed. Pivot irrigation applies water uniformly, ensuring our crops receive the precise amount of hydration. Insufficient amounts of water can lead to the accumulation of nitrates in the harvest, which is linked to nitrate poisoning in livestock.

How long does lucerne hay last?

Hay can be stored indefinitely if you correctly manage your stack.

There is no benefit to having A1 graded hay if it is not stored correctly. Woolcott group ensures our products are safely stored in large sheds straight after bailing.

However, it is ideal to use hay sooner rather than later, it is recommended that hay be consumed within the first three years of harvest, especially in humid climates.

Here are our top three tips on how to safely protect your hay after pick up.

1: Always store your hay in a shed

Constant exposure to rain, wind and sun will impact and lower the nutrients in your feed, as well as creating other hazards.

We recommend that you store your hay in a dedicated shed that is facing east. If possible, the inclusion of an awning will help provide extra protection in case of severe weather.

Please note that we recommend a “dedicated shed” for your hay. Don’t store chemicals or pesticides alongside your hay as they are a fire risk and could act as an accelerant if your feed combusts.

To ensure your machinery is not at risk of fire damage, we strongly recommend that you store your equipment separately.

2: Ensure your shed has proper ventilation and airflow

Spontaneous combustion of hay is a real threat and is often caused by poor ventilation. Ensuring your shed has ample ventilation will prevent the build-up of moisture, minimising the risk of fire.

 Ensure that your bails are stacked with 8-metre spacings to allow sufficient airflow to stop the build-up of temperature increases or mould. If your shed does not have suitable flooring, you can use pallets to keep your bales elevated.

3: Make sure your hay is free from mould

Even if you follow tips 1 & 2, it is still important to check for mouldy hay, especially after extreme weather conditions such as torrential rain. Catching mould early ensures that the mould doesn’t spread throughout your entire stacks of hay.

Not only will livestock often reject mouldy feed, but mould is also detrimental to the health of both humans and animals. Respiratory disorders are common amongst people who handle mouldy feed and livestock who are exposed to it.

If you spot mould on amongst your stack, remove it immediately and always take precautions such as wearing gloves, mask and eye protection.